James Grant (Massachusetts)

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

James Grant

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

September 6, 2022

Education

Associate

Roxbury Community College, 1990

Bachelor's

University of Massachusetts, Boston, 1997

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

James Grant (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Massachusetts State Senate to represent the 2nd Suffolk District. He lost in the Democratic primary on September 6, 2022.

Grant completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

James Grant earned an associate degree from Roxbury Community College in 1990 and a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 1997.

Elections

2022

See also: Massachusetts State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Suffolk District

Liz Miranda won election in the general election for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Suffolk District on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Liz Miranda (D)	98.8	35,207
		Other/Write-in votes	1.2	439

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,646
= 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.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Suffolk District

Liz Miranda defeated Nika Elugardo, Dianne Wilkerson, Miniard Culpepper, and James Grant in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Suffolk District on September 6, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Liz Miranda	33.2	6,806
		Nika Elugardo	27.3	5,600
	Submit photo	Dianne Wilkerson	21.4	4,388
		Miniard Culpepper	15.3	3,147
		James Grant	2.7	554
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	34

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,529
= 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.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

James Grant completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Grant's 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.

James Grant has worked in law enforcement for over 20 years, having been recruited by the State Police, serving most of those years at the Department of Corrections. His experience in law enforcement gives him the necessary background to understand the issues in communities and within the prison system.

He's held a supervisory position in the security department of Roxbury’s Division of Transitional Assistance, where he was able to see barriers removed and access to resources expanded to those disproportionately affected by their economic conditions, and more importantly, the training opportunities they can take advantage of to improve their conditions, long term.

His experience as a certified schoolteacher in the Boston Public School system, and as Assistant Principal of a summer program, allowed him to experience, what innovative strategies and policies would work to enhance the school system and benefit students.

James is an ordained Deacon at the historic Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury. He participates in community walks with members of the Boston Police, State Police, Mass Transit Police, Pastors and Ministers of the community, and Political Candidates and their staff.

He is a published author of Women Are Gods, (2009) and The Power of God’s Consciousness, due (2022.)

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?

• Crime Prevention
• Mental Health Services
• Community Affairs (Homelessness Prevention; Elder Services; Education and Vocation Parity; Employment Parity--Minimum Wage Increases, Union Bargaining Power)

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Crime Prevention - funding the police to ensure proper protection in the communities and provide training as needed to deal with diverse population of constituents, including the mentally challenged.

Legislation that can meet people where they are financially to help with rent or mortgage payments.

Provide funding to support after school programs that help students to further their education through tutoring, homework assistance, and internship opportunities.

Safety of passengers on public transportation. Safety of the equipment used in the transportation of passengers. Implementation and use of electric vehicles used to transport passengers.

Continuing to reduce carbon emissions.

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

The Bible, History of Democracy, Democracy in America Volume 1,2. Democracy in Chains, The Power Broker.

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

Honesty, hard work, and a dedication to the people you are serving in the position you hold.

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

Exhibiting character and honesty to remain committed to the to the people the office has a civic duty to serve.

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

America is one of the most powerful nations in the world, but we are still a nation that must make progress towards a state of unity and love for ALL people. Somehow, we must implement structure, discipline, and accountability as a nation to each other, and be able to remove the hateful attitudes that create the bloodshed which comes with racism.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think political candidates should serve 4–6-year terms, or longer. It takes time to get to know the nature of the senatorial position to be able to effectively make change.

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

Being able to work with integrity alongside individuals with differing viewpoints in service to the constituents you represent. A Senator’s civic responsibilities to the people served is loyalty, honesty, accountability, and integrity.

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

While previous political experience is beneficial, it is not more beneficial than having a firsthand knowledge of and being able to relate to the people that you are serving. I strongly believe that a candidate bringing firsthand knowledge of the people they represent is just as beneficial, if not more so than political experience, for rules, regulations and processes can be learned a bit easier than learning about the needs of the constituents you represent.

What do you think of the filibuster?

A filibuster obstructs progress. As a senator we must always serve the people in an expeditious manner to resolve matters that are adversely impacting their lives. We should never let our status as a Senator, or our pride or arrogance, get in the way of making progress. A Senator’s first and only priority is to serve the people, especially those who cannot help themselves.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

Their compassion for others. Their loyalty and respect for the disinherited people of our nation.

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

Yes, committees committed to resolving issues adversely impacting the homeless, the elderly, education reforms, and crime prevention.

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

This question is not applicable.

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

No, I must focus on developing my abilities before I compare myself to other senators.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

Based on the effectiveness of their decision-making record in prior and current positions.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

Collaborative relationships, where we can listen to one another to hear and understand each other’s perspective while working to meet the needs of our constituents.

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

Since everyone does not always see eye-to-eye some level of compromise will be necessary to get anything done, however, it depends upon what the issues are, and the level of compromise being sought.

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

2022 Elections

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External links

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Candidate

Massachusetts State Senate 2nd Suffolk District

Website

Facebook

Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Massachusetts State Senate

Senators

Berkshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Hampshire District

Paul Mark (D)

Bristol and Norfolk District

Paul Feeney (D)

Cape and Islands District

Julian Cyr (D)

Hampden District

Adam Gomez (D)

Hampden and Hampshire District

John Velis (D)

Hampden, Hampshire, and Worcester District

Jacob Oliveira (D)

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester District

Jo Comerford (D)

Middlesex and Norfolk District

Karen Spilka (D)

Middlesex and Suffolk District

Sal DiDomenico (D)

Middlesex and Worcester District

James Eldridge (D)

Norfolk and Middlesex District

Cynthia Creem (D)

Norfolk and Plymouth District

John Keenan (D)

Norfolk and Suffolk District

Michael Rush (D)

Norfolk, Plymouth, and Bristol District

William Driscoll (D)

Norfolk, Worcester, and Middlesex District

Becca Rausch (D)

Plymouth and Barnstable District

Dylan Fernandes (D)

Suffolk and Middlesex District

William Brownsberger (D)

Worcester and Hampden District

Ryan Fattman (R)

Worcester and Hampshire District

Peter Durant (R)

Worcester and Middlesex District

John Cronin (D)

1st Bristol and Plymouth District

Michael Rodrigues (D)

1st Essex District

Pavel Payano (D)

1st Essex and Middlesex District

Bruce Tarr (R)

1st Middlesex District

Edward Kennedy (D)

1st Plymouth and Norfolk District

Patrick O'Connor (R)

1st Suffolk District

Nick Collins (D)

1st Worcester District

Robyn Kennedy (D)

2nd Bristol and Plymouth District

Mark Montigny (D)

2nd Essex District

Joan Lovely (D)

2nd Essex and Middlesex District

Barry Finegold (D)

2nd Middlesex District

Patricia Jehlen (D)

2nd Plymouth and Norfolk District

Michael Brady (D)

2nd Suffolk District

Liz Miranda (D)

2nd Worcester District

Michael Moore (D)

3rd Bristol and Plymouth District

Kelly Dooner (R)

3rd Essex District

Brendan Crighton (D)

3rd Middlesex District

Mike Barrett (D)

3rd Suffolk District

Lydia Edwards (D)

4th Middlesex District

Cindy Friedman (D)

5th Middlesex District

Jason Lewis (D)

Democratic Party (35)

Republican Party (5)