Candidate for
State Senator; District 19

Born in western Ventura County, Jason Hodge currently serves as a full-time firefighter with the Ventura County Fire Department and an elected Commissioner of the Oxnard Harbor District.

Hodge learned the importance of public service from his parents. Jason's father served with the U.S. Navy SeaBees, and retired after 36 years as an Oxnard firefighter. His mother was a teacher and federal court reporter. He spent part of his youth in Arkansas where, as a 5th grader, he met then- Governor Bill Clinton who inspired him to study political science and history. Later in his academic career, Jason edited school newspapers, volunteered as a local firefighter, was a parliamentarian, and crossed paths with Bill Clinton again when Jason moderated President Clinton's Initiative on Race Relations at the university.

After college, Hodge helped start an online sporting goods company where he learned the importance of meeting a payroll and how to start a business. But his life changed after the attacks on 9/11. With his sister living very close to the Pentagon, his brother in the Armed Services, and his father on high alert at his fire station, Hodge moved back to his hometown, enrolled in the Oxnard Fire Academy and taught classes at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility.

Trained in fire protection, water rescue, terrorism and hazardous materials emergencies, and major disaster management, Hodge has been on the front lines in some of the largest fires in modern California history. He helped manage disasters exceeding $100 million in damages, and has been tapped to serve on a statewide emergency response team.

As Vice President and Political Director of the Ventura County Professional Firefighters Association, Hodge worked to build relationships with elected officials from both parties to protect and promote vital public safety policy on the local, state, and federal levels.

Serving as an elected Harbor Commissioner, Hodge is ushering in a new era at the Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District focusing on environmental stewardship, economic opportunities, local job creation, and safety. By bringing together community leaders and stakeholders from the private and public sectors, Hodge is working hard to boost economic output and create jobs, while decreasing the port's environmental footprint.

Hodge also has a distinguished record of service and volunteerism for his local community. The events include fundraising for the local Boys & Girls Club and starting a non-profit to help at-risk teens and seniors.

Hodge embodies a new type of leader: he possesses a balance of pragmatic solutions and a fresh, optimistic vision for the future as evidenced in his record of local policymaking on environmental and economic issues. His training and experience in making life-saving decisions in high-pressure situations gives him unparalleled leadership skills. Through his advocacy and community service, Hodge has earned the respect and support of local leaders in both parties, demonstrating a unique ability to work across party lines for the greater good.

Hodge recently won the prestigious New Leaders Council's "40 under 40" Leadership Award beating out hundreds of nominees across the U.S. Hodge is a lifelong surfer who has caught waves from Point Conception to Malibu. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and is a resident of Oxnard.