At 24, Jason Jordan is the youngest candidate for the District 64 state representative seat, but he hopes to use his fresh perspective and youth to help promote change for Denton County residents.

Jordan, of Denton, filed with the Libertarian Party in December to challenge District 64 state Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, in the November election. He said he made the decision because he does not feel the government represents the public’s interest.

“If I believe our country is so great, I need to do my part,” Jordan said. “There are a lot of people that don’t feel like they are represented. I have the same concerns.”

Like Crownover and Dem­ocratic candidate John McClelland, Jordan says the Texas education system must be overhauled to prepare for the future, and as a Decatur High School teacher, he has a unique viewpoint.

Teachers are forced to teach specific lessons and information because of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test rather than expanding children’s minds, he said.

“Curriculums come right out of a box,” he said. “That’s not education. That’s not why I got into education.”

While serving residents on issues such as education, Jordan said he would ensure that residents’ voices are heard — rather than corporations.

However, his similarities with his opponents end there.

If elected, Jordan said he would not vote for raising taxes and would curtail the use of eminent domain. When eminent domain is used, individuals should be reimbursed 150 percent fair market price, he said.

“The economy isn’t looking too good,” he said. “We need to make a commitment not to put an additional burden on people. We need to make sure property taxes don’t go up.”

As a young third-party candidate, Jordan said he is up for a tough fight but hopes to speak with residents about the issues he feels are important.

Despite running on the Libertarian Party ticket, he said he doesn’t align himself with all of the party’s values. Libertarians strongly oppose any government interfering in personal, family and business decisions, according to the party’s Web site.

Jordan earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton. He has lived in the county for the past two years and is married with no children.

Jordan will face Crownover, 60, and John McClelland, 31, in the November general election. Each is running unopposed in their party’s primary.

Crownover is seeking her fifth term in office.

District 64 includes portions of Denton County, including Denton, Lake Dallas, Corinth, Shady Shores, Hickory Creek, Lakewood Village, Little Elm, Oak Point and The Colony north of Texas Highway 121.

DAN X. McGRAW can be reached at 940-566-6875. His e-mail is dmcgraw@dentonrc.com .