Jason Thoms

Jason Thoms earned a bachelor's degree from St. Olaf College in 1996 and additional education from Michigan State University in 2005. Thoms' career experience includes working as a musician.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Dr. Jason Thoms and I am running for North Dakota House from District 7 in the DEM-NPL Party. I was endorsed as a candidate for ND House by the people of District 7 at the DEM-NPL Region 6 Convention on February 7, 2026.

I moved to Bismarck in the fall of 2020 and fell in love with the community immediately. I have planted my life in this community, starting a thriving nonprofit music and performing arts organization called Dakota Pro Musica. I have served a number of organizations in Bismarck and the State as a Board member, and have served as President of the Board for the Capital Curling Club and for the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Church of North Dakota.

I believe the first step to improving the lives of the people in our community is to listen to their concerns, ask tough questions of our leaders, and advocate for a new way forward that will improve our lives while being fiscally responsible and sustainable for the long-term.

I believe that we can work together to make a better community for our children and ourselves in Bismarck and across North Dakota.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I have spend my entire career working in education and the arts. I believe that educating, feeding, and uplifting our children is the most important priority to improve our community and its future successful.As a widower, whose wife died as the result of suicide, I also strive to make mental health care more accessible and affordable to everyone in our community. I want to see 988 fully funded and find ways to keep those who are struggling safe.I believe that it is the responsibility of the elected to directly serve the people and work to make the world better for everyone. We need to work to make our communities more affordable, welcoming, and open to everyone.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mental health, Education, and ethical leadership.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Barack Obama

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

A leader who listens to the needs of others, is willing to learn about what they don’t know, and a willingness to discuss and compromise to make pour world better.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To serve the people and to make bills and policies that will make their community better into the future.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Worked at Walgreens for about 6 months

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Dealing with the growth that is going to come to our state.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes. Compromise requires movement from both sides.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

Challenger explosion