Jon was born and raised in Greensboro, NC as the only child of Wayne and Carolyn Hardister. He is a graduate of Grimsley High School and Greensboro College, where he obtained a BA in Political Science.
After college Jon went to work as the Vice President for Marketing at First Carolina Mortgage, a small business that is owned by his family. The company has been in operation for over 30 years.
In 2012 Jon was elected to serve in the NC House, serving six terms before retiring in 2024. In 2016, his colleagues elected him to serve as the House Majority Whip, one of the top leadership positions in the General Assembly. He is the youngest and longest-serving House Majority Whip in state history.
Jon was considered to be one of the most effective leaders in the General Assembly during his time in office. He passed numerous bills and received various awards for his work. He also chaired several committees, including Education - Universities, Appropriations - Education, and Appropriations - Capital.
After leaving office, Jon started Hardister Strategies LLC to provide consulting services for public affairs, business development, and strategic planning. This allows Jon to utilize his skills, experience, and connections to help businesses accomplish their goals.
In his spare time, Jon enjoys spending time with his family, working out, reading, and playing guitar.