Colby James

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Colby James

Independent

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

2009 - 2013

Personal

Birthplace

New Orleans, La.

Contact

Campaign Twitter

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Colby James (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District. He lost in the primary on November 3, 2020.

James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Colby James was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended Penn State's world campus as part of his higher education. He served in the U.S. Army from 2009 to 2013.

Elections

2020

See also: Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2

The following candidates ran in the primary for U.S. House Louisiana District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cedric Richmond (D)	63.6	201,636
		David Schilling (R)	15.0	47,575
	Submit photo	Glenn Harris (D)	10.6	33,684
	Submit photo	Sheldon Vincent Sr. (R)	4.9	15,565
		Belden Batiste (Independent)	3.9	12,268
		Colby James (Independent)	2.0	6,254

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 316,982
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Colby James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by James' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Colby James. I am from the lower 9th ward, in New Orleans, Louisiana. I've personally seen many sides of the government in my professional and personal life; being both a veteran and a felon, I would like to be a catalyst for the change that we, the citizens of the 2nd Congressional District of Louisiana, would like to see. My message is deceptively simple. Rebuild the system that continuously let down the mere individuals that make up this system. It was beneficial for some, when they believed our voices were silent but with me, I hope to amplify the voices that were once muted! We will not fade into the background any longer. I have a 7 point plan for each of my goals. They are flexible in that they allow for both growth and development.

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?

• Racial Equality
• Criminal Justice reform is a must! The way we treat each other is a framework for our interactions as a society. How can we call ourselves civilized when our ideas on justice are really vengeance and spite disguised as control?
• Law Enforcement review and assessment at the state and federal levels.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Funding for Education

Fighting Recidivism at both the State and Federal levels
Racial equality with a focus on equivalency before the law and throughout society.
Wetlands Conservation funding.
Funding for roads and infrastructure.

Legalization and taxation of marijuana at a federal level

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

President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt. I wish to live 'the strenuous life'. My own politics like his, are grounded in self determination. I realized long ago that while each man is in control of his own destiny, however the system is grossly unfair. Until those with the money and power cease to be the only ones afforded the opportunity to succeed we will never realize our goals as a nation.

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

Firstly, they have an inherent responsibility to the district that elected them. Being a representative of the people calls for conversation. They can't be spoken at, and above all their concerns must be forefront in the Representative's mind. Progress must be seen being made. It simply isnt adequate to say it. People need to see it and see how it affects their life. The surety of knowing your position on an issue was heard creates a sense of belonging that is sorely missing our society and larger national community

What legacy would you like to leave?

The lasting resolution to the civil unrest that is constantly bubbling beneath the facade of calm that we as a society decided to call civilized.

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

I can easily say its a toss up between George W. Bush being elected president, and the launch of Wikipedia in ealry 2000's. I was 9 at the time and it was so exciting to have an encyclopedia with such ease of access. The only reason I even remotely cared about Bush being elected president was because it was a repetitive conversation amongst the adults I'd be eavesdropping on. Lol

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

Dear Theodosia (Reprise)
Chance the Rapper

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

I can hardly believe this is a valid question. Congress is the ONLY body of our government that can create and abolish laws. It's where change MUST begin. Our System of Laws define our identity as a nation. So far we've embodied the ideology of separate but almost equal. That NEEDS to stop if we're to survive as a nation.

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

No, I do not. I'd go as far as to say lack of experience should be viewed with far more enthusiasm. If we take a peek at the history of US politics, the tacit overreaching attitude seemed to be 'what works for some is good enough for all'. Frankly joining a system that hasnt already infected you allows fresh and modern ideology to pump through our political muscles.

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

I firmly believe its a toss up between civil equality and wealth equality. How we treat each other matters. How can we as a Country declare the greatness of our march of progress when an issue as banal as the color of our skin can dictate so much? Never was such a valuable possession so stupidly and recklessly managed, than our entire government by those weve continuosly chosen to trust. Our industry discouraged, our resouces pillaged... worst of all our very character stifled. We aren't new race here. We're smoother, simpler; no more violent, no less enterprising; no less refined. We're a single nationality. We require a new identity that acknowledges how beautifully different we are, and how those differences makes us all American.

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

The House Judiciary Committee. For the subcommittee, 'The Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties', with my primary focus being federal civil rights and ethics in government. Secondly I'm keenly interested in joining the United States House Oversight Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties which exerts a far more impactful affect when deciding to take action.

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

Yes, and no. I feel as though it would be more logical to turn over the congress as we turn over presidents. New faces fresh with big ideas and enthusiasm serve to erode old grudges both personal and political. Making way for direct and effective legislating to take place. On the other edge of the sword, absoultue power corrupts absolutely. By my previous logic a congressperson could concievably leapfrog multiple presidents without interruption. Therefore I would propose a term limit that directly compliments the term length of the Executive Office.

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See also

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Footnotes

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Louisiana's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Bill Cassidy (R)

John Kennedy (R)

Representatives

District 1

Steve Scalise (R)

District 2

Troy Carter (D)

District 3

Clay Higgins (R)

District 4

Mike Johnson (R)

District 5

Julia Letlow (R)

District 6

Cleo Fields (D)

Republican Party (6)

Democratic Party (2)