James Griffin

James Griffin was born in Los Angeles, California. He received a bachelor's degree in 1977 after attending Pasadena City College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Cal State Los Angeles. He attended graduate school at Azusa Pacific University and Cal State Long Beach. Griffin's professional experience includes working in sales, management, publishing, graphic design, insurance, teaching, real estate, and owning his own business. He has held real estate and insurance licenses.[1][2]

Griffin has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]

Sunset Beach Business Association

Ocean Air Christian Fellowship

Past president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Pasadena Adult Chapters

Past president and board member, Pasadena and South Pasadena / San Marino Jaycees

Past member, LA Junior Chamber of Commerce

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Native of Southern California Homeowner in Sunset Beach, CA. Real Estate and Insurance Broker in California, Publisher of Sunset Beach Magazine online. Ran for Congress District 48 in 2020. Graduate of California State University Los Angeles in Industrial Technology with an option in Printing Management. Father owned a successful printing business in Los Angeles from 1966-1983 . Worked at his Father's printing business from 1974-1983 and in sales and marketing over 20 Years for various firms in the printing packaging industry. Married with 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren and 2 dogs.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Be Strong and Courageous alwaysAmerica FirstFreedom and Justice for All

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Transportation, Public Health, Safety, Gun Control, Police and Law

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my Father who was a Veteran, Successful Owner of a Printing Business, Wood Worker and Reserve Police Officer. My Dad was a self made man who believed the the Free Enterprise System and encouraged me to join the Jaycees and always be involved in the laws and affairs of your community and let your voice be heard to preserve our laws and freedoms we enjoy in this great country

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

My Book 57 Jobs and Counting a career path less traveled and guide to finding your passion also the Movie Rudy

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

To believe in doing the right thing, always listen to all sides and follow the Constitution and observe the Golden Rule

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Experience,Reliable, organized, Educated, responsible, people person and have energy to get the job done.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent the People first and foremost

What legacy would you like to leave?

That nothing is impossible with faith in God

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Assassination of President John F Kennedy I was 8 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

McDonalds in 1971 as an order taker 6 months

What is your favorite book? Why?

Work is my Play - by Wallace e Johnson Co Founder of Holiday Inns

He accomplished so much in his life and di it all with just a High School Education.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

You are the Sunshine of my Life Stevie Wonder

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Confidence in my youth in being able to achieve. Having been divorced and being a single parent. The Death of my older brother when I was 17 and he was 19. My parents being divorced when I was in my teens.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Bringing the district issues to Washington and creating Bills and and passing bills to improve the District and being part of the American System which is for the people by the people doing the right thing always under the laws of our democracy

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No although I do believe the representative should live in the district where they are running for office

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Our freedoms, preserving our constitution, stopping gun violence. public safety, threats from foreign enemies, We need to protect our borders, support oil indepedence and strengthen our military and take care of the homeless and those suffering from mental illness living on the streets.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think we should have terms limits on al offices not to exceed 8 years of service

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Growing up I remembered John Rousselot who was a U.S. Representative from southern California.

Born in 1927 in Los Angeles, California, where I was born Rousselot attended the public schools of San Marino and South Pasadena which is the High School I attended

"From 1954 to 1955, Rousselot served as assistant to the public relations director of Pacific Finance Corp., Los Angeles, California. He served as deputy to the chairman of the California Board of Equalization in 1956, and was director of public information for the Federal Housing Administration in Washington, D.C., from 1958 to 1960." - wiki

Rousselot resigned his position at the FHA to return to southern California to run for Congress. His first notable political activity had been as a delegate to the 1956 Republican National Convention, and he had served as a member of the executive committee of the California Republican State Central Committee in 1956–57.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have personally witnessed the story of a mother and son who i met living in their car in Sunset Beach who eventually moved into an apartment. I have worked providing transportation to the homeless in District 47 and see how lives have changed by the homeless shelters that have been developed to help the growing homeless population. We must always remember to put a priority on those that need help in our communities

Tell us your favorite joke.

Q: How many congressmen does it take to change a light bulb?

A: Two—one to change the bulb and one to change it back again.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

It would be my duty to investigate what raising revenue reasons are legitimate and of course bring the findings to the Hof R for discussion and reasons for raising revenue

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

For the purpose of improving areas needing improvements in the District and through the investigations come up with solutions to bring to the local state and national lawmakers

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

JBGMG

Sunset Beach Magazine

Ocean Air Christian Fellowship

Coby Myers Griffin

Marcela Aldis

John Moyer

Laura Wilson

Craig Kuhlman

Brian Griffin

Faren Griffin

Evyn Escobar

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Native of Southern California born in Los Angeles, CA . Baby Boomer Generation. Raised in South Pasadena Ca from Kindergarten through High School. Graduate of South Pasadena High School 1973. Attended Pasadena City College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Los Angeles . Earned a BS degree from Cal State Los Angeles in 1977 in Industrial Technology with an option in Printing Management. Majority of career was in Sales and Sales Management in the Printing and Packaging Industry. In 2002 became a public school teacher for 2 years. Licensed Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Broker since 2008 and small business owner. Married with 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Revise the Affordable Care Act to Lower premiums Mental Health Centers and Homeless Shelters Traffic and Transporation Solutions

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Revitalization and Economic development, Helping Small Businesses and working with Helping the Homeless and those with Mental illness with centers, Honoring and serving Veterans. Supporting Individuals with Disabilities with programs, Health Care, Physical Fitness Awareness and Illness Prevention, Traffic and Transportation Studies for reducing congestion, Public Safety and Education. Reduce Taxes. Passionate about the US Constitution the history of the USA. One Nation under God a nation that serves and respects each individuals faith beliefs.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to all the mentors in my life who taught me about trust, hard work, integrity and doing the right thing. The examples of I would like to follow are my Dad who taught me about business and gave me an opportunties to succeed and do the right thing always and Mom who believed in me and said you an do anything you set you mind to.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Work is my play by Wallace E Johnson .. Living the American Dream. Wallace was a common who balanced his life and served many in the process with his hard work and perserverance. .

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity, heart for service.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Faith, hard worker, early to rise, dedicated, honest, sincere. Experience in multiple areas from Public Education to Small Business , Insurance, Real Estate and more!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Be available to all. Serving in Congress is an honor and priviledge not a career . The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators should serve their term(s), then go home and go back to work ... not get all kinds of freebies. I feel the core responsibilities are to Listen, explore, analyze and respond to all issues and write new bills as needed while supporting bills measures that work for the best of the people we serve in our districts

What legacy would you like to leave?

That my service made an impact of those served on a local and national level.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The Assassination President of John F. Kennedy in 1963. I wlll always remember. A sad time in American History. I was 8 at the time

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My 1st job was working as an order taker at Mcdonalds in South Pasadena, CA . I held the job for 6 months

What is your favorite book? Why?

57 Jobs and Counting a career passion less traveled which I wrote, It is my favorite book because I grew threw the process of writing the book and it encourages me tho this day to keep growing and experiencing new opportunities one day at a time and to continue to put your faith above all and let the Lord direct your paths.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Gum Gummy. Gum is a World Traveler who travels in search of interesting people, places and events from Antarctica to Zambia and then returns to share his story to all

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

You are the Sunshine of my Life by Stevie Wonder

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

The greatest struggle i had to overcame was developing confidence. I went through several experiences that raised my belief in myself and that nothing was impossible through faith, hard work and determination.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It is a fingerprint of the USA with representatives from every states and repesents the interests of the the people who the representative serves in the district the he or she is elected .. Government for the people by the people.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No I do not . I think the most important thing is the person has the passion and interest to serve the District by proposing changes and policies that will represent the district motions and proposed bills

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Terrorism, Public Safety, Illegal immigrants not paying taxes or supporting our government and obeying the Laws, Affordable Housing. Affordable Health Care, ongoing funding for Social Security, Education, Military, Police, Fire and and Government Services.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Defense, Health, Housing Transportation , Technology

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

NA

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think the maximum term should be 2 terms

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes . I need to do a bit more research to decide

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I grew up with Congressman John Rousselout from Pasadena, CA

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I think the best story was from a lady and her son who i met several years ago when they were homeless and was able to help them with a gift card to Boston Market, While collecting singatures for my campaign and ran into both the Mother and the son , It was a nice reunion and great to see that they are no longer homeless and doing well ..