About Jon
Candidate for Congress

Jon Adams grew up in a middle-class family in northern New Mexico. Jon's father Tom was a scientist, and his mother Joan was a dedicated homemaker. Jon held his first job at age 9, helping staff a concession stand at the Little League ballpark. He still remembers jogging after a patron to give back 40 cents in forgotten change.

Jon was a Cub Scout in his early youth. Around this time, the Cub Scout troop announced it needed a new leader. At his sons' urging, Jon's father agreed and soon became a long-serving and respected troop leader, despite the rigors of his job as a scientist. Jon and his brother went on to become Boy Scouts, where Jon developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the New Mexico environment. His best memories include attending a leadership convention with his father at the Philmont Scout Ranch in northern New Mexico, camping in the Fall in the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and riding the train from Durango to Silverton in Colorado.

Jon's early years in New Mexico included such treasurable moments as attending the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque, hiking in Bandalier, walking in the stunning Valle Caldera, learning music during multiple summers at Hummingbird Music Camp, driving through the Black Mountains and Silver City, and exploring the Plaza in Santa Fe when Devargas was still the only shopping mall and TG&Y was the main department store.

Jon got his first official job at age 15 when he started working at McDonald's. He was quick with the hash browns and the milkshakes. He also valued the opportunity to speak with all the different members of the community, a value he holds in high esteem today.

Jon attended New Mexico public schools until age 16, and went on to attend law school and eventually to become Assistant Attorney General for New Mexico, from 2002 to 2004. Jon recognizes that he was fortunate to have such opportunities, and wishes to ensure that all New Mexico children can pursue their educational dreams to fruition. In July of 2004, Jon joined a private law firm where he sued to hold corporations accountable for stock fraud. After he joined, Jon and that law firm started bringing cases on behalf of New Mexico pension funds, suing to recover retirees' money that was effectively robbed by corporate fraud.

Growing up in northern New Mexico, Jon learned the value of hard work and affordable, quality health care. In 1989, he had serious skiing accident in Colorado, and spent almost a week in a coma. Jon and his mother drove thousands of miles back and forth to Santa Fe and Albuquerque for ongoing treatment and recovery. If it had not been for all the hard work and the affordable health care, Jon would not be where he is today. Jon believes that reasonable health care should be available to everyone, and that no one should have to choose between paying the rent, buying food, or their health. Jon is actively advised on health care issues by his identical twin brother Sam, who realized his dream of becoming a doctor when he obtained his M.D. in 2001.

As Assistant Attorney General for New Mexico, Jon sued to stop labor fraud and successfully obtained a court order barring a construction company from conducting business in the State after not paying its workers. Jon represented the State enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and he authored an Attorney General Opinion which successfully finalized $600 million in government funds for education in the State, upholding the election result in a disputed election to amend the Constitution of New Mexico.

In February 2004, Jon was hit by a drunk driver.  Fortunately, he survived the accident in good health, although his car was totally destroyed.  Following this, Jon successfully lobbied for the Drunkbusters program to be brought to New Mexico, and he succeeded.  This is the program we all see today on electronic signs around the State announcing to call "#DWI" on your cell phone to report a drunk driver.  When Jon was hit by a drunk driver, this program did not exist in New Mexico, and Jon hopes the program has helped avoid many serious injuries and deaths.

Jon is dedicated to research and development of alternative energy solutions.

Jon made the final decision to run for Congress when he heard in July that Albuquerque's Sergeant James Akin had been killed in Iraq. Sergeant Akin was a dedicated political activist, a presidential hopeful, a soldier, and a loving husband. He is and always will be a true American hero. In Congress, Jon's number one priority will be to end the war in Iraq. Jon will gladly see the entire government shut down if that is what it takes for the President to realize that the people have spoken and it is time to bring the troops home. In short, Congress has the power to stop everything until our troops come home, and Jon will vote to exercise that power immediately.

The safety and security of America cannot be compromised. Jon supports an intelligent national security policy, including expansion of special operations units that can go in and truly fight terrorists in their own backyards.

Jon believes that with the right leaders and the right decisions, the country can get back on track and establish itself again as a respected world leader in human rights, energy policy, and democracy. Jon has believed and continues to believe that the country's best days are still to come.