Featured
U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy MLK Video (2020)
Jason was featured in an MLK Day video while assigned as a student at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.
Meet Jason
A lifetime of service.
A future built for District 83.
Army veteran. Husband. Father. Neighbor. Candidate.
Jason is a father, husband, Army veteran, and lifelong learner — a New Orleans native who, after more than 20 years of military service and a lifetime of moving across the country and around the world, chose North Augusta as home in 2018.
He's running for South Carolina House District 83 because he's grateful for the safe, close-knit community that embraced his family — and he wants to roll up his sleeves, serve, and give back.
Jason and his wife met while both were serving on active duty in the U.S. Army. He comes from a military family with veterans from nearly every branch of service.
See where Jason standsPortraits
Recent campaign portraits.
Service & Leadership
U.S. Army, Military Intelligence
Nearly 22 years of service with two tours to Afghanistan and one tour to Guantanamo Bay.
Savannah River National Laboratory
Global Security professional since 2022, applying intelligence and security expertise to national missions.
North Augusta Public Safety Foundation
Former Chairman (Oct 2023–May 2025) and continuing volunteer, supporting local police, fire, and animal control services.
Child Advocacy Center of Aiken
Volunteer Parent Project Instructor (April 2022–January 2024), helping families build stronger homes.
Local Government Internship
City of Louisville, GA — focused on affordable housing initiatives at the community level.
Husband, Father, Neighbor
Raising three children with his wife. The Paynes have called North Augusta home since 2018.
Education
- A.A.Criminal Justice
- B.S.Criminal Justice
- M.S.International Relations
- M.P.A.Public Administration
- Ph.D.Business Analytics & Data Science (in progress)
From a life of service
Moments from more than two decades in uniform and on the home front — with soldiers, with neighbors, and with family.
Range safety officer — Copperas Cove, TX (2014) 
Veterans Day guest speaker — Louisville, GA (2021) 
Volunteering at Fort Gordon's Christmas House (Dec 2018) 
Thanksgiving at the Augusta Rescue Mission (Nov 2018) 
With WWII veterans — “real-world superheroes” 
North Augusta Public Safety Foundation (2024)
Recognition
Community Leadership
North Augusta Public Safety Foundation
Former Chairman and continuing volunteer — supporting local police, fire, and animal control services.
2023–presentVolunteer Service
Child Advocacy Center of Aiken
Volunteer Parent Project Instructor (2022–2024), strengthening families across the CSRA.
2022–2024What he stands for
The values Jason will bring to Columbia.
Practical. Principled. Always community first.
Respect for All Citizens
Respect for the values and beliefs of fellow citizens — even when we disagree. Good representation starts with listening.
Equality & Rights
Advocacy for the rights and equality of women and the LGBTQ community, because freedom is for everyone.
Support for Those Who Serve
Standing with military service members, law enforcement, healthcare providers, teachers, and social workers.
Practical Problem-Solving
Community-first solutions that put real outcomes for District 83 ahead of partisan noise.
Help send Jason to Columbia.
Every door knocked, every dollar donated, every neighbor talked to brings District 83 one step closer to representation that puts community first.