Isiah James
Isiah James (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent New York's 9th Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2020.
James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2020
See also: New York's 9th Congressional District election, 2020
New York's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Republican primary)
New York's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (June 23 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 9
Incumbent Yvette D. Clarke defeated Constantine Jean-Pierre, Gary Popkin, and Joel Anabilah-Azumah in the general election for U.S. House New York District 9 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Yvette D. Clarke (D / Working Families Party)  | 83.0 | 230,221 |
 | Constantine Jean-Pierre (R / Conservative Party) | 15.9 | 43,950 | |
| Gary Popkin (L) | 0.6 | 1,644 | ||
 | Joel Anabilah-Azumah (Serve America Movement Party) | 0.4 | 1,052 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 381 | ||
| Total votes: 277,248 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Watch the Candidate Conversation for this race!
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Judith Goldiner (Working Families Party)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 9
Incumbent Yvette D. Clarke defeated Adem Bunkeddeko, Isiah James, Chaim M. Deutsch, and Lutchi Gayot in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 9 on June 23, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Yvette D. Clarke | 54.2 | 52,293 |
 | Adem Bunkeddeko | 24.7 | 23,819 | |
 | Isiah James | 10.4 | 10,010 | |
 | Chaim M. Deutsch | 9.7 | 9,383 | |
 | Lutchi Gayot | 0.9 | 843 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 142 | ||
| Total votes: 96,490 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Michael Hiller (D)
- Alexander Hubbard (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Constantine Jean-Pierre advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 9.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Constantine Jean-Pierre advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 9.
Libertarian primary election
The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Gary Popkin advanced from the Libertarian primary for U.S. House New York District 9.
Serve America Movement Party primary election
The Serve America Movement Party primary election was canceled. Joel Anabilah-Azumah advanced from the Serve America Movement Party primary for U.S. House New York District 9.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Judith Goldiner advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 9.
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Isiah James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by James' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Universal Healthcare Ending mass incarceration Transitioning to a 100% Green Economy by 2030
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Housing Veterans Issues Education The Environment The Economy Healthcare Worker's Rights
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
In my personal life I look up to my parents. They came from humble beginnings and made sure that they raised all 11 of their children to give back to our community. I can proudly say that without their wisdom, love and guidance I wouldn't be the man I am today.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
(Book)-"What You Should Know About Politics" (Film)-"Amazing Grace" (Essay)- "Letter From Birmingham Jail"
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Loyalty, a sense of duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe that all members elected to the House of Representatives have the solemn duty and awesome responsibility to advocate on behalf of the people of whom they have been elected to serve. The problems facing hardworking people in this country are not impossible to solve. The challenges of moving this country toward one that is equitable and just is not an insurmountable task. It takes leaders in all branches of government, but especially in the House to put the needs of constituents above the greed of the rich and powerful.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The inauguration of President Clinton. I was six years old at the time
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first job was waiting tables when I was in high school. I did it for four years
What happened on your most awkward date?
I'm lucky to be able to say that I have never had an awkward date.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
I don't have a favorite Holiday
What is your favorite book? Why?
"The Acquisitive Society" by R.H. Tawney. I would have to say that it is one of the foremost pieces of literature that shaped my political outlook
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
Superman
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My bookshelf. Because no matter how stressful of a day I have, I know that when I come home I can sit back on my couch, choose a good book, and get lost in its pages.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Crusin' by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
My Injuries sustained from my three deployments
What process do you favor for redistricting?
A fully open and transparent one. Redistricting is a crucial avenue by which undeserved and underrepresented communities can gain meaningful representation. Knowing this, it must be done if full view of the public, with public input to ensure a fair and equitable process.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
not necessarily, no.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
Income Inequality, climate change, the lack of healthcare for millions of people in this country, the proliferation of guns, ballooning student loan debt, and the lack of affordable housing; just to name a few
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Armed services, Appropriations, Environment and Public Works, Education and Labor, and Ways and Means
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Yes
What are your thoughts on term limits?
I am a big supporter of term limits in both chambers of Congress. We have career politicians who park themselves in the halls of Congress and feel safe because of backroom redistricting and partisan gerrymandering and that isn't right, in fact I believe its anathema to democracy. We have an entire cadre of elected officials that are more interested in keeping their jobs when they should be prioritizing doing their jobs
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?
I wouldn't expect to be named to any leadership roles as a new member of Congress
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Shirley Chisholm, John Lewis, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
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 was campaigning in my district and after a long day on my feet I stooped in a local sandwich shop to grab a quick bite to eat. There was this older women sitting across the restaurant from me and she kept staring at me as I was having a phone conversation with a member of my campaign team about housing policy. The woman walked over to my table and sat down and struck up a conversation with me. As we were talking it was clear to me that she was homeless and that she was sitting in the sandwich shop to get out of the weather. I asked her had she had anything to eat today and suddenly tears began to well up in her eyes. Ill never forget what she said next: "I like you because you didn't judge me," she said no she had not eaten that day so I purchased a few sandwiches and bags of chips for her. That really hit me, this was someone's child, she has a story, she deserves respect and love just as we all do. I couldn't for one second imagine myself ever judging her or anybody else that was in her position, but the fact that she expected to be judged and castigated and shunned by her fellow man saddens me. As long as I live I will never forget that encounter and when I'm tired and down and hurting I look back to it as motivation to keep fighting for people like Mary who don't have anybody to fight for them.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
