Kim James

Kim James earned a high school diploma from Libby High School. James earned a bachelor's degree from Northwest Nazarene College in 1982, a degree from the Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1984, and another degree from the Iliff School of Theology in 1990. James' career experience includes working as a clergy.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a retired United Methodist minister who now has both the skills and the time to represent the people of House District 8. For 40 years, I served people through the ministry of the church and called on my congregants to use their faith and values to bring about important changes in society. In the Lord's Prayer, we ask that God's kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven. That doesn't mean a Christian nationalism, which insists that we're right and everyone else is wrong. No, no, no. Praying for God's kingdom on earth means that we strive to enact in our society the kind of loving principles Jesus taught about: healing the sick, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the prisoner, welcoming the stranger, encouraging the children, advocating for the poor, and offering mercy and forgiveness to those who make mistakes. Sometimes Jesus encountered people who challenged him to stretch in his understanding, and he did stretch and grow. So should we. As Jesus entered into Jerusalem to take his concerns to the people in power, so I am feeling called to take my concerns to the Capitol of Utah. We have important work to do, and I am capable, responsible, and dedicated. I am intelligent and in good health. I will faithfully represent House District 8 in the people's house.

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?

I will fight for affordability. Utah values industry and hard work, and our labor should be rewarded with living wages. Affordability begins with earning sufficiently to pay for life's basic needs. It's time to raise Utah's minimum wage to $20/hour. It's also time to rebalance the tax burdens, so lower income folks pay less and wealthier folks pay more. This could be done in part through a change to property taxes, and I'd like to try (again) to eliminate the state portion of sales taxes on groceries--this time without negatively impacting education. I personally am a fiscal conservative. But compassionate affordability and budgetary responsibility are not exclusive, and I believe both can happen in Utah.I will fight for environmental health. The environment of Utah is at risk. Climate change and water use policies have caused the Great Salt Lake to diminish. Toxic dust may soon be blowing through our air and damaging our health. We need to change incentives and behaviors, so more water ends up in the Great Salt Lake. If we don't, our financial health also may be at risk, as our property values will decrease. I grew up in a small town in Montana where hundreds of people died from toxic asbestos released into the air by a mine. That town became a Superfund Cleanup Site. I know what damage toxic air can do to individuals and a community. We must act now before tragedy strikes.My third emphasis is to fight for a government that respects the will of the people. State government should honor what the people want when they vote for an initiative or a referendum, or even when there is strong polling evidence of the desires of the people. The legislature should not try to overrule the votes of the people, just so they can stay in power. Nor should the legislature (or governor) overrule or diminish the essential and constitutional role of the judiciary branch which protects the rights of the people. Similarly, attempts to disenfranchise voters must be stopped. Election integrity is essential to our democracy, but extreme measures take away voting rights from those who have the most difficulty participating.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I've stated above the three areas about which I'm most passionate: affordability, environmental health, and a government that respects the will of the people.

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

Jesus, who cared for his people and advocated for them, even when taking those concerns to the seat of power was dangerous.

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

The most important characteristic of an elected official is that she be willing to listen to the people and humbly act according to their wishes.

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

The core responsibility is to function as a government that solves the problems of the people and doesn't unnecessarily add burdens to the people's lives.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to be known as a faithful servant of God and the people.

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

I dusted a lady's house. I just did it a couple times, when I was an elementary-aged child.

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

In December 1984, I was in two car accidents in one week. Overcoming the PTSD of that motor vehicle trauma has been a challenge ever since.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

As the executive, the governor has the ability and responsibility to suggest vision and budget, and to veto, when necessary. But, for the most part, the executive branch carries out the laws enacted by the legislature.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Climate change and the health of the Great Salt Lake are the greatest challenge to Utah. Utah's economy and health depends on snow in the mountains for adequate water and the ski industry. This shouldn't be an issue just because the Olympics are coming to Utah in 2034. This should be an issue for life in Utah for decades and centuries to come.

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

Of course! Even two people in the same party don't see everything the same way. So, yes, compromise is essential.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Women's Democratic Club of Utah has endorsed my campaign already. Other endorsements are still pending.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

President Nixon's misconduct and his leaving office.