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James Harper
James Harper (Republican Party) ran for election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to represent District 1. Harper lost in the primary on October 12, 2019.
Harper completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: Louisiana House of Representatives elections, 2019
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 Louisiana House of Representatives District 1
Danny McCormick won election outright against Randall Liles and James Harper in the primary for Louisiana House of Representatives District 1 on October 12, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Danny McCormick (R) | 51.3 | 5,466 |
| Randall Liles (R) | 42.0 | 4,471 | ||
James Harper (R)  | 6.7 | 709 | ||
| Total votes: 10,646 | |||
| = 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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Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James Harper completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Harper's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Reduce taxes, downsize government, and improve education
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Economy, Education, and Health. I believe it is imperative for us to have the ability to care for, educate, and provide employment opportunities for our citizens.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My mother. She raised two son's working multiple jobs with little help.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Gladiator. It showed to true passion of what it is to serve from the highest to lowest levels and to fight for what is right and to sacrifice for the good of the people.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Dignity, respect, committment, advocacy, excellence, integrity, transparency, honesty.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I am a man of my word and I tell the truth. I am loyal to a fault and will fight to deliver the voice of my constituents over my own.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To vote the way the majority of his/her constiuents would vote to represent the majority of support for every vote. Also to inform and obtain counsel from those persons with expertise on topics to educate others and return the political climate back to the people for which it was intended.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That there are honest and common men in politics that strive to do what is right for the citizens of our contry with no external agenda.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
I was walking to school when Ronald Reagan was shot when I was 11.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
I cleaned the kitchen at a local hospital where my mother worked. I also bagged groceries at a local store.
What happened on your most awkward date?
We knew immediately that we were not gonna work out and it lasted about 15 minutes.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Christmas as it is the time to celebrate our saviour and spend time with family that is often lost in todays busy times.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Unfotunately they have all been curriculum books throughout my education that have provided me with the knowledge to improve my ability to care for people.
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 bed to relax and reset for another day.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Itsy bitsy spider as we have our first grandchild.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Being satisfied with what I have and not wanting to continue to do more.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The concept that the Senate is more important than the House based on influence and numbers.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
No, as I believe term limits influence policy and create innovation.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
economic development and infrastructure.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
To work collaboratively on policy to improve the lives of the citizens.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Absolutely, from all parties to have an engaged, collaborative, and open line of communication to facilitate policy.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Independant council to work independently to provide three options for discussions and heavy involvment of the public.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Health and welfare.
If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?
My experience in the health care profession
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?
yes, in any capacity.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
JFK, Ronald Reagan
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I would consider it, yes.
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?
Unfortunately, the majority of my interactions with the public have a common theme of disassociation with government leading to lack of input from those who feel they cannot influence the system and have no voice. I want to change that.
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
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
