Former U.S. Army Sergeant and UNC Wilmington student Jason Thigpen recently announced that he’s challenging Republican incumbent Walter Jones for his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2014 election.

Thigpen, also running on the Republican ticket, described his political views as emphasizing individual rights, a limited government and upholding the constitution.

“My perspective is not a party line perspective,” Thigpen said. “I am putting people before party and politics.”

Thigpen, 36, said that he has the experience necessary to represent the district, despite never having held political office.  He served in the U.S. Army for six years and was awarded the Purple Heart after his final tour in Iraq.

“I am not a politician; I am a public servant,” Thigpen said.

“He is very heavily involved in veteran and military organizations here in North Carolina, and even started one of his own called the Student Veterans Advocacy Group,” said political author Jude Eden at a town hall meeting in Wilmington.

This group works to increase funding and support provided to student veterans, particularly at North Carolina universities. (Read more here)

Thigpen graduated from UNCW in May of 2013 with a B.S. in business and a concentration in finance and is currently seeking an additional B.A. in political science.

Incumbent Walter Jones has represented North Carolina’s 3^rd Congressional District, which spans from UNCW to the Virginia state line, since 1995.  Gloria Fletcher, a staff assistant speaking on Jones’ behalf, declined to comment on the details of the upcoming election, but noted that Jones plans on continuing his service to the district.

Thigpen, who is Jones’ only challenger, emphasized the grassroots nature of his campaign strategy.

“My campaign is reliant heavily on social media and personal interaction,” Thigpen said.

According to Thigpen, one factor that sets him apart from most candidates is his refusal to accept special interest and political action committee campaign contributions.

“Who am I really representing when I get elected if I accept a $10,000 check from a special interest group,” Thigpen asked. “It’s whoever wrote their name at the top of the check; not the 3rd District of North Carolina.”

Thigpen reports that he decided to run for the election in Nov. of 2012 and filed with the Federal Election Commission this past January.

“After receiving support from my wife, family and friends, I knew that this was the right time to run for Congress,” Thigpen said.