Primary Election Date: 09/12/2008
General Election Date: 11/04/2008

Who Am I?

Jonathan Powers - Army Captain and decorated Iraq War veteran, schoolteacher and non-profit leader - sets an exceptional standard for “leadership by example” some in Washington, DC would be wise to follow.

As an artillery platoon leader in the Army’s 1st Armored Division, and later as the Battalion Commander’s Adjutant in Baghdad and Najaf - Jon Powers was hailed by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel William Rabena, as “one of the most talented officers I have known in twenty-two years of service in the Army.” Rabena lauded his “extraordinary management skills, leadership, and unmatched talent to accomplish the most difficult tasks with minimal guidance,” calling Powers “the type of officer a commander only dreams of having in his unit.”

While leading his soldiers through one of Baghdad’s most volatile sectors, Powers witnessed firsthand the devastation and lost opportunities that resulted from the Bush Administration’s mismanagement and lack of planning for post-invasion Iraq. Jon saw how his and his fellow soldiers’ idealism, dedication and patriotism were dishonored by a government that sent them to war without proper equipment, training or forethought.

The war was far from over when Jon returned home to Western New York, intending to become a full-time social studies teacher in the Clarence public schools. But, moved by his experience at war and driven to action, Jon sought to help those in Iraq whose voices are least heard - Iraqi children, many of whom have known only war their entire young lives. Jon returned to Baghdad and founded War Kids Relief, a nonprofit organization aimed at assisting the youth of Iraq, providing them the resources and education needed to avoid recruitment by radical and terrorist organizations. War Kids Relief was quickly recognized for its path-breaking work and was featured on the NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams “Making a Difference” series and in a Newsweek cover story, “The Next Jihadist.”

Jon Powers was born and raised in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence, NY. Jon’s parents served in leadership positions with the Lions Club and led volunteer efforts through their church throughout Jon’s childhood, fostering in him a strong commitment to civic engagement. Jon has deep roots in the Western New York community. He attended public schools, was an Eagle Scout, and joined the Army ROTC in pursuit of his education degree.

Whether directing men and women in combat or shaping young minds, Jon continues to be a leader who puts competence and problem-solving above anything else. Unfortunately, Jon’s opponent, Congressman Tom Reynolds, too often places loyalty - to his political party and the preservation of his own career - ahead of competence and accountability.

Reynolds’ approach is guiding America down the wrong path, and Western New Yorkers demand and deserve more from their elected officials. In 2006, in a historically Republican district, Reynolds won by a mere 9,000 votes. Still, he returned to Washington with the same tired agenda, and continues to support the Administration and its failed policies.

A country at war, a district losing jobs, and a people who increasingly recognize they deserve better are ripe for a new positive brand of leadership. Jon’s campaign of “leadership by example” is about listening to everyday Western New Yorkers, meeting our challenges, and providing reasonable, cost-effective solutions to the problems that impact real people in their daily lives.

Why Am I Running?

I believe in the promise of America but have lost faith in our leaders in Washington, DC. When I was patrolling the streets of Baghdad as a US Army Artillery Captain in the summer of 2003, Iraqi youth were excited for us to be there. They believed we were bringing them “America” -- not Hollywood and blue jeans, but community and honest leadership, a beacon of hope to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this administration has tarnished that image. Incompetence, mismanagement and a lack of leadership in Washington have sent our nation in the wrong direction.

American families are struggling to make ends meet because of the failed policies of the Bush Administration. The last six years have seen a total abandonment of accountability in Washington, DC. The failures of the war in Iraq, our whole perspective on national security, and the disappearance of American industries and family farms are just some of the issues we need to address immediately.

Throughout my life, I have been a leader who leads by example and puts a premium on competence and accountability. My run for Congress is no different. My campaign is our effort to take back our nation, restore accountability to Washington, and begin to lead again in the right direction.

Hold Me Accountable!

1. Implement an organized transition of security forces to the Iraqi government and a strategic redeployment of US troops.

2. Put everyday Americans first -- working in good paying jobs with health insurance, holding corporations accountable for off-shore outsourcing, and holding other countries accountable for substandard environmental and labor standards.

3. Reform America's national security policy to make America safer at home and better-respected around the globe.

My DFA values:

I am socially progressive in my belief that the federal government should stay out of the type of personal decisions that Americans should be making around their dining room table. Furthermore, I believe it is the government's responsibility to make sure that hardworking Americans who play by the rules get a fair shot at the American dream. Under the Bush Administration, hardworking Americans have seen jobs and access to health care disappear while good manufacturing jobs are exported to countries with lower environmental and labor standards. I want to go to Washington, D.C. to fight to ensure that the people of my district have good career opportunities, access to affordable health coverage, and don't have to worry about the Government getting involved in their personal lives.

I am fiscally responsible because I believe the government should balance its budgets and live within its means. I believe that fiscal responsibility is not only imperative to protecting our quality of life, it is imperative to our national security. Borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars to keep doing what we're doing in Iraq isn't working. Furthermore, during the last several years under the Bush Administration, we have seen wasteful government spending through earmarks and corrupt handouts balloon to previously unseen levels, all while hard-working Americans are being forced into debt to take care of their families. I demand the highest degrees of accountability in my personal, professional, and public life and I believe that our representatives in government owe a duty to responsibly manage the people’s money to ensure strong, healthy communities and effective, sensible national security.

My Campaign is People-Powered!

I am challenging one of the most powerful Republicans in the House of Representatives. Tom Reynolds is one of George W. Bush's most loyal supporters, and he is emblematic of the insular and unaccountable GOP that ruled the House until November 2006. Our campaign will focus on giving everyday people ownership in our efforts to win in New York’s 26th Congressional District. We will reach out over the next year to recruit a network of New Yorkers and implement a comprehensive field plan to contact voters the old fashioned way ��" one-on-one, at their front porches and doors.

Tom Reynolds raises significant amounts of money through Washington, DC lobbyists and special interest groups. Just as I will be a very different kind of congressman, I will take a very different approach to funding my campaign. We want thousands, if not tens-of-thousands of people invested in our efforts -- not just the small population of big-money special interest groups. In order to create a sense of community ownership, my campaign is implementing an extensive netroots effort to gather small-dollar donations from hard working Americans.

The goal of our grassroots effort, through both outreach and fundraising, is to engage and empower more people in our district. We want more residents to be able to share their ideas and feedback directly with their Representative, and we want them to know have a sense of community ownership of the office. Under Tom Reynolds, New York’s 26th Congressional office was owned and operated by big-money special interests. Under my leadership, the office will be owned and operated by the people of Western New York.