Democrat Jason Lee Jones announced Friday his intentions to run for the congressional 12th District seat against former state senator Jackie Speier.

U.S. Rep Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, will not seek reelection in November after being diagnosis with esophageal cancer.

“I am running for Congress because I believe I can represent the interests and the diversity of this district and this nation,” Jones said in a press release Friday.

He kicked off his campaign at San Francisco State University, where he is a student.

He wants to challenge the political establishment and inject new energy into government that drives his campaign, according to the press release.

“I believe this should be an election — not a coronation,” Jones said, speaking of Speier's otherwise unchallenged run for the seat.

Jones, 30, has never held office but has been involved in politics since he was a teenager in his home state of Georgia. Before moving to the Bay Area in 1996, he worked on Democrat Max Cleland's campaign for his U.S. Senate run. In 2003 and 2004, he then worked in several precincts for Wesley Clark, D-Ga., John Edwards, D-N.C., and John Kerry, D-Mass.,  presidential campaigns, according to the press release. Another announced candidate includes Robert Barrows.