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From garbage workers in New Orleans to industrial workers in Cambodia, Jason Judd has made a career of mobilizing the masses to demand their rights from the entities whose practices threaten to violate them.

His next group: Frederick city residents. His next entity: City Hall.

A newcomer to city politics, Judd, 37, said that he is ready to "Move Frederick Forward" by practicing fiscal responsibility, creating jobs, working for an innovative economy and preserving what residents love about Frederick.

The trained economist and community organizer has set his sights on the mayor's office and filed his paperwork Monday to run as a Democratic candidate for the September primary election.

The Frederick native graduated from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School and went on to study economics at Duke University. While at Duke, he earned a spot in the U.S. Department of State Fulbright Program, which provides funding for students, scholars and professionals to undertake graduate study, advanced research, university teaching and teaching in elementary and secondary schools. Through that program, Judd spent a year in Bulgaria and at the London School of Economics.

He then traveled the United States and different parts of the world advocating on the part of laborers and citizens, before coming back home to Frederick in 2007, where he decided that it was time to put his experience to use in a place where he saw other "ordinary citizens" falling victim to similar abuses he saw in his travels.

"Our city is not taking care of ordinary families," Judd said. "The spending by this mayor and board has ballooned, and some of that spending has been shockingly careless."

In front a crowd of about 150, Judd announced his candidacy at a Feb. 26 fundraiser, which raised nearly $3,000.

At the event, he blasted the city's recent financial decisions, namely the Early Retirement Incentive Program which an independent review found financially flawed, and the recent vote by the Board of Aldermen to approve $125 million in debt to fund infrastructure projects.

Judd works as a campaign director for the Service Employees International Union, a union advocacy group in Washington, D.C. He admitted that his career in the labor movement has left him open for jabs, but makes no apologies for leading campaigns against major big-box companies such as Wal-Mart for fair health benefits and wages.

"The fact that I've worked in the labor movement isn't as important as what I've been working on [in the movement]," Judd said. "I have zero percent interest in organizing city workers, but having a mayor who cares about better jobs, about sustainable economic development is valuable."

In fact, Judd holds that city residents should demand comparable accountability from city leaders. He contended that current city leaders do not take seriously enough the $83 million budget that they have at their disposal.

Judd said he believes the city doesn't invest enough in skilled workers, who he believes are moving away because of a lack of affordable housing.

Judd has garnered the support of former mayor Ron Young (D), and Frederick County Commissioner Kai J. Hagen (D). Both attended his fundraiser and deemed him an instant front-runner.

"I'm really impressed with the qualities, the skill set and the vision of Jason," Hagen said. "This is a very important election for Frederick."

Judd lives in downtown Frederick with his wife and two children.

He joins Jack Lynch on the Democratic ticket. Republican mayoral candidates to date are sitting mayor W. Jeff Holtzinger, Market Street Bagel and Deli owner Randy McClement and Discount Towing owner Clint Hoffman.

The filing deadline for candidates is July 7. The city's primary election will take place on Sept.15.

The general election is Nov.3.

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.