Biography

Jess Mears didn’t just visit all 50 states—she worked them. As a political fundraiser, speaker, and campaign trainer, Jess spent over a decade crisscrossing the country, organizing grassroots movements, training liberty-minded activists, and serving in leadership roles on the Libertarian Party’s most successful presidential campaigns.

From state capitals to small-town diners, her travels were fueled by conversation and conviction as much as by scenery. Whether speaking at events, knocking on doors, or coaching first-time candidates, Jess logged thousands of miles in the name of civic engagement—and occasionally in pursuit of the best local eats.

Her 50-state milestone wasn’t just professional—it was personal. A spontaneous first-date road trip through the Southwest led to marriage with Chris, a Canadian expat she wed in a Las Vegas drive-thru after navigating border hiccups, pandemic chaos, and at least one international vehicle debacle.

Now based in Austin, Jess continues her work in creative entrepreneurship while dreaming up the family’s next adventure—ideally involving goats, gardens, and far fewer TSA lines.