James Brown (Pennsylvania)

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

James Brown

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 2, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

Asbury College

Graduate

University of KY

Ph.D

Oxford Graduate School

Other

Kent State University, Moody Bible Institute

Personal

Birthplace

Toledo, Ohio

Religion

Follower of Jesus Christ

Profession

Educator

Contact

Campaign Facebook

James Brown (Republican Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania State Senate to represent District 25. He lost in the Republican primary on June 2, 2020.

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

Biography

Brown has studied at Asbury College (A.B., Elementary Ed., 1977), the University of Kentucky (M.A., Curriculum & Instruction, 1978), Morehead State University (Ed.S., Administration and Supervision, 1983), Oxford Graduate School (Ph.D., Education, 1991), Clarion University of PA (M.S.L.S., Library & Information Sciences, 1992), Kent State University (Instructional Technology), and the Moody Bible Institute (Bible). His professional experience includes working as an educator.

Brown has served as an elected school board member, sitting on several committees including the Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PSBA) By-Laws Committee. On the committee, he represented PA Region 1 as the assistant director.

Organizations

As of his 2020 campaign, Brown was affiliated with the following organizations:

• Christian & Missionary Alliance Church
• Gideons international
• Pennsylvania Freedom Fighters.

Elections

2020

See also: Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25

Cris Dush defeated Margie Brown in the general election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cris Dush (R)	74.4	88,994
		Margie Brown (D)	25.6	30,608

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 119,602
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25

Margie Brown advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Margie Brown	100.0	14,038

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,038
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25

Cris Dush defeated John Herm Suplizio and James Brown in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 25 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cris Dush	59.0	23,087
		John Herm Suplizio	31.3	12,232
		James Brown	9.7	3,799

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 39,118
= 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.

2012

See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2012

Brown ran in the 2012 election for Pennsylvania House District 66. Brown and Cris Dush were defeated by incumbent Sam Smith in the April 24 Republican primary.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 66 Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Sam Smith Incumbent	49.1%	3,150
James Brown	9%	579
Cris Dush	41.9%	2,691
Total Votes		6,420

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

What motivates Dr. Jim Brown? Basically it is my faith in Jesus Christ. It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me. Campaign promise: I will use His Word, the Holy Bible to guide my decision making while I'm in office. If Jesus is concerned about me giving a drink of water to the least of this children, how much more is he concerned about me helping people with their burdens that the state has put upon them in one way or another. People need relief from taxes, from regulations, and from laws that have eaten away at their freedoms. I have dedicated my life to serving Christ with all my heart, soul, and mind. Second unto that is to love and serve my fellow humans. This is evidenced by my career. I could have entered public education and earned a better wage but of my 33 years of education experience, 27 of those years were in private, Christian education.

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?

• We must pass SB 76 to eliminate property taxes. No tax should have the power to leave you homeless. Campaign promise is to co-sponsor SB76.
• We must end the control of professional politicians in Harrisburg with strict term limits, part-time legislators, removal of their pensions.
• We must encourage creation of jobs in PA by supporting coal, oil, & gas resources.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I would be pleased to sponsor legislation to reduce the tax burden upon the citizens of Pennsylvania, specifically support SB76. Second, Pennsylvania needs relief from the burden of professional career politicians. That means we need term limits, campaign finance reforms, and major restrictions on lobbying. Third, I would support the rights of Pennsylvanians to protect themselves. This includes the right to life, even for the unborn, and for families to bear arms in their own defense.

There is hope for Pennsylvania and our country but it does not come from man. If we humble ourselves before God He will abundantly bless us and heal our land. My goal in life is to follow the examples that Jesus gave us.

I promise to only serve 1 term in Harrisburg and I promise to refuse the lucrative pension that the career politicians have voted for themselves.

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

My role model and hero is Jesus Christ. I follow this principle, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God. But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

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

God's Word, the Holy Bible is the book that motivates me to run for Senate. Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

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

Elected officials need to do the things that God has commanded: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

If we only put burdens on people and make no attempts to help them we are not following God's commands. With a good elected official the people will rejoice, with a crooked one the people suffer. When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

God said, "By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth." A good elected official will acknowledge that God is right. All authority comes from God.

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

If office holders would get back to basics they could be successful. An office holder will do a good job if he practices Jesus words, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."

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

The core responsibilities for an elected official include being a servant to the people. Jesus said, "Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

If Jesus, (the King of Kings) came to serve, then how much more should we be in a position to serve?

What legacy would you like to leave?

If I would hear these words, I know that I would have done a good job, "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

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

I remember the Nixon/Kennedy election and watching the results come in that first Tuesday in November, 1960 on a black and white TV. I was 5 years old then.

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

In 3rd grade I had a job walking the neighbor's dog. I held that job for 2 years making 50 cents a week.

What is your favorite book? Why?

God's Word, the Holy Bible is my favorite. I try to read chapters in it every day because it gives me purpose in living.

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

Pilgrim in John Bunyan's book, "Pilgrim's Progress" because though he struggled, he was faithful to the end and successful.

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

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,

Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine."

"E'en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And then, when grey hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne."

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,

I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake!"

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

I have a tendency to worry about the cares of this life. It has been a struggle for me most of my adult life. However, I am learning to cast all my cares upon Jesus, for he cares for me. He has told me that I should, "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." To that, I am committed.

Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?

The General Assembly has 253 members, consisting of a Senate with 50 members and a House of Representatives with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire) and the largest full-time legislature. Senators are elected for a term of four years. Representatives are elected for a term of two years. Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election; the state Constitution also adds the category of "other infamous crimes," which can be broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously expelled from the General Assembly may be elected. There has been talk about reducing the size of the legislature with a constitutional amendment but I would prefer that they save even more money by making the legislature part time like most other states.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Previous experience is a hindrance because that experience distances the legislator from the citizens at home. The best representation that the people can have is to have one of their own in office, not a career politician.

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

The excessive burden of taxation in Pennsylvania is ruining family budgets, taking their homes away, making them homeless, limiting their job opportunities because many employers avoid Pennsylvania because of these taxes.

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

The ideal relationship would be if they both held a common world view that supported the people back home.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

No law was ever passed by one vote alone, they all need a majority of the votes. Therefore, relationships are important to getting laws passed or repealed.

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

Being a career educator I would like to serve on the education committee, being a hobby farmer I would like to also serve on the agricultural committee.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

N/A, Not a current legislator or a career politician.

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

I am willing to serve anywhere needed as long as it doesn't distract from my agenda of representing the voters back home.

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

My childhood congressman was Del Latta of the Ohio 5th district. He was faithful in supporting a conservative agenda and caring about the farmers, home owners, and all the other citizens back home. He was consistent and always true to his word. That's what I would like to do for the 4 years that I am in the senate.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I only desire to serve one term in political office. I am not a politician, I am a citizen.

Both sitting legislators 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?

We have a resident in District 25, a single lady past age 65. She continues to work to be able to pay her property taxes so that she won't be made homeless. She writes, "I pay slightly over 1.5 months SS taxes for property. And I might add my house was very inexpensive--I don't live in a fancy home. These geniuses in the Commonwealth gov. need to figure this out ASAP. Yes, I'm disgusted or at least let us work without paying INTO SS. I get little to no benefit working when I have still have to pay INTO the system. Last year I almost doubled my SS and did not get ONE cent raise in SS. GRRRRRR. "

She needs SB76 to be passed before the state ends up taking her home away. No tax should have the power to leave her homeless. She's not unique. This story is common all over PA.

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

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

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External links

Suggest a link

• Official campaign website
• James Brown on Facebook

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Pennsylvania State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Joe Pittman

Minority Leader:Jay Costa

Senators

District 1

Nikil Saval (D)

District 2

Christine Tartaglione (D)

District 3

Sharif Street (D)

District 4

Art Haywood (D)

District 5

Joe Picozzi (R)

District 6

Frank Farry (R)

District 7

Vincent Hughes (D)

District 8

Anthony Williams (D)

District 9

John Kane (D)

District 10

Steve Santarsiero (D)

District 11

Judy Schwank (D)

District 12

Maria Collett (D)

District 13

Scott Martin (R)

District 14

Nick Miller (D)

District 15

Patty Kim (D)

District 16

Jarrett Coleman (R)

District 17

Amanda Cappelletti (D)

District 18

Lisa Boscola (D)

District 19

Carolyn Comitta (D)

District 20

Lisa Baker (R)

District 21

Scott Hutchinson (R)

District 22

Martin Flynn (D)

District 23

Gene Yaw (R)

District 24

Tracy Pennycuick (R)

District 25

Cris Dush (R)

District 26

Timothy Kearney (D)

District 27

Lynda Culver (R)

District 28

Kristin Phillips-Hill (R)

District 29

David Argall (R)

District 30

Judith Ward (R)

District 31

Dawn Keefer (R)

District 32

Patrick Stefano (R)

District 33

Doug Mastriano (R)

District 34

Greg Rothman (R)

District 35

Wayne Langerholc (R)

District 36

James Malone (D)

District 37

Devlin Robinson (R)

District 38

Lindsey Williams (D)

District 39

Kim Ward (R)

District 40

Rosemary Brown (R)

District 41

Joe Pittman (R)

District 42

Wayne Fontana (D)

District 43

Jay Costa (D)

District 44

Katie Muth (D)

District 45

Nick Pisciottano (D)

District 46

Camera Bartolotta (R)

District 47

Elder Vogel (R)

District 48

Chris Gebhard (R)

District 49

Daniel Laughlin (R)

District 50

Michele Brooks (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (23)