James Preston
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James Preston (Democratic Party) ran for election to the South Dakota House of Representatives to represent District 32. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Preston completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Preston replaced Adam Weaver on the general election ballot after Weaver withdrew from the race.[1]
Biography
Preston was born on September 29, 1985, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in 2009. He went on to obtain his master's degree from the University of South Dakota in 2017 as receive attend classes at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology. Preston's professional experience includes working in healthcare consulting and as project manager. He has also worked in landscaping, the service industry, music, and as a wilderness ranger for the US Forest Service.[2]
Elections
2020
See also: South Dakota House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Toni Diamond and Adam Weaver advanced from the Democratic primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Chris Johnson and Becky Drury advanced from the Republican primary for South Dakota House of Representatives District 32.
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James Preston completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Preston's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Was raised inside an urgent care clinic to a physician father from Hermosa, SD, and a mental health professional mother from Rosebud, SD. Grew up in Rapid City with compassion to give back and fight for fairness and equality. Truly believe in the power of unity and indivisibly working together toward goals. Grandfathers fought in WWII and Korean War and now rest peacefully yards from each other at Black Hills National Cemetery. Have worked closely with and for Veterans and care deeply for those who have served. Have worked in healthcare for the past 12 years within delivery operations, finance, and revenue cycle and am unhappy with the competitive costs of health insurance and the crippling effects felt by Americans while so many cannot even afford healthcare. Some are charged too much and the other can't afford it. Meanwhile, premiums continue to inextricably raise even during the pandemic where elective procedures have allowed insurance companies to fill their coffers. Supporter of the middle class who have been ravaged for some time. The foundation of childhood development is being affected by this pandemic like we have never seen. The cost and availability of child care has never been higher or in higher demand. We are in a tough spot and I am compelled to help. I listen to all sides of problems and comprehensively analyze issues before drawing conclusions. I am not afraid to work with anyone and know that our Democratic process requires it. I love this country.
- We must hold leaders accountable and make sure we safely return our economy to normal by defeating the pandemic.
- Americans have gotten politically complacent and we need unity now more than ever to advance the betterment of our state for generations.
- We must fight for our rights and continue to push for fairness and equality for all. We have so much untapped potential and we must address inequality to succeed.
Number one, we have to get over this pandemic. South Dakota was recently (09/25/20) found to be the higher per capita increase in the country. The pandemic is the greatest threat to our economy, lives, and livelihoods that we have seen since the Great Depression and we have to work together to stop it. This will require individuals to proactively confront the virus, institute measures, invest in testing, and do whatever is needed to move on from this nightmare.
Health care is the largest driving force in the economy and, economically, we need to address costs and access to quality health care so that we can develop our foundation for American workers. Local hospitals have been paying for indigent care in the form of bad debt or charity care.
Good jobs in line with the needs of a modernized economy is critical. Engineering, health care, technology, business administration, infrastructure, and renewable energy development are only some of the needs of our economy.
Early childhood development and the effects of the COVID19 pandemic is a reality that seriously concerns me. It was difficult to find safe, affordable child care prior to the pandemic. Working class families are pinched for finding a place they can comfortably and assuredly keep the most precious thing to them (our children) while making enough money to put food on the table. We must address this issue immediately.
Education from preK through Higher Ed. We must educate ourselves. Honestly, I look up to anyone who has overcome odds and demonstrated resilience. Children fighting cancer are heros to me. An elderly woman recovering from a hip surgery is a hero to me. Survivors of any kind of heros to me and I look up to their examples of perseverance. They say that perseverance is one characteristic in the highest demand and shortest supply. Business owners right now adapting and working hard to keep their doors open during this pandemic are heros to me. It is just important to recognize that everyday people exhibit the same qualities that popular icons do as well. In the vein of historical figures, I am always amazed with the study of President Lincoln and his preservation of the Union, by stacking his Cabinet with political rivals (couldn't imagine that in today's politics), Mahatma Gandhi and his peaceful, non-violent civil disobedience and march to the sea to protest the British restriction on commercial salt activity (I.e. think South Dakota Hemp Farmers), and the late John Lewis whose fight for civil rights never ended. I choose to follow those who fight for equality and justice, and use extreme levels of bravery to advance social well-being. I read a lot of Stoic literature and believe in the values and tenets of Stoicism; Wisdom, Courage, Temperance, and Justice. These values are how we can live our best lives through constantly working to improve and finding true happiness in not obtaining "things," but by modifying our behaviors and beliefs to help one another.
Albert Camus's "The Plague."
Western liberal democracy, based on the lessons from the Greeks, and evolving over the years and experimented on in various forms is a critical piece to understanding our system today and understanding its strengths and weaknesses. Having a knowledge and respect for the political history provides a grasp upon our system today and helps move us towards a better tomorrow. We must respect our institutions, systems, and rule of law. A college professor used to say, "You must learn to think within the box before you can think outside of it." I believe that to be true and that is why I have studied American history, political science, law, and social issues for the better part of my life.
Short answer: a willingness to listen and learn as a lifelong learner and be willing to work together.
Listening is a lifelong skill and I am always working on it. The better the listener, the better the communicator. I love learning about other's struggles and helping be that person to make things happen.
Listening to the voters and being responsive to their concerns.
I would like to leave this world better than I found it and let my family and others know that despite any challenges, nothing is impossible and we can all overcome. Change is always possible and we must continue to fight for good in the world.
I remember watching on TV the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and I must have been 4 considering the fall was (11/09/89). I remember that event clearly on the Nightly News with perhaps fellow South Dakotan Tom Brokaw announcing? It was a monumental event in world history and set the tone of unification, inclusion, openness, and freedom that are sometimes taken for granted.
When I was 14 I went into business with my friend Jason and we had "J & J Lawn Grooming" where we handled a portfolio of about 3 lawns. We made enough money to pay for our shirts, visers, and some gas for the mowers, but I wouldn't call it a smashing success.
At the age of 16 I was hired in my first full-time wage job washing dishes at the "Canyon Lake Chophouse" located alongside Canyon Lake in Rapid and absolutely loved that job. I worked for my entire summer until I had to go back to school as a Junior in high school.
I got my fiction kicks out of me as a child reading the full volume of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps. Since probably my early 20's, I have not been able to get into fiction. However, give me a book on Presidential history by Doris Kearns Goodwin, a financial fraud book by Michael Lewis, leadership psychology by Dr. Bob Rotella, or any social justice book I will dive in. One of the most impactful readings I have put back since 2016 was Donna Brazil's "Hacks." That book helped spell out some absolutely horrifying things that she endured and laid out the follies that went into that election from the DNC, from Russian hackers teams "Cozy Bear" and the problems that resulted from poor financial, organizational, and political management. We must learn from our mistakes, correct Democracy, and prevent anything like that mismanagement from ever happening again. "Hacks" is a must read for Democrats.
The Lego Movie's "This Song Will Get Stuck Inside Your Head" song.
I have had many like everyone. From multiple knee surgeries to being generally misunderstood, I have had my challenges. I will say that I have not been immune from bullying or harassment and that has actually helped refine my ability to stand up for others and be a fighter.
Checks and balances between the chambers is a critical component to a representative democracy, and right now in South Dakota we have a Trifecta of Supermajority control by one party and that is reminding voters why the United States adopted and tends to favor a two party system in the first place. Although there is much growing support for increasing levels of competition in government from different parties, there are various ideological swings within the "one party" system where we have a supermajority. This infuriates voters and confuses the process. I have herd constituents repeatedly voice that concern.
It's important, but a competent person can make up for lost ground. As of 2016, the Office of the President of the U.S. became an 'entry-level' position in government afterall. Currently, we have a citizen legislature that is technically part-time and most legislators have other jobs and vocations to return to unlike other states where the legislative position 'is' your profession. A successful state legislator will contain the tools to work as a team and be able to put the People first. As state legislators, we must have the leadership skills to stand up to influences from any angle and use the decorum of the position to create new ideas to help one another instead of kowtow to special interest. There is a big problem with legislators who have no previous experience in government who are manipulated into a hyper-attraction for special interest groups or think tanks (e.g. American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC or State Innovation Exchange, SiX). These groups write bills for state legislators and allow for quick passage in our state although the origination of these ideas came from outside of the state. To me, that is a slap in the face of Democracy and legislators need to have the foresight to not be used by lobbyists, trade groups, or any outside influence that does not have the best interest of the constituents at heart.
Protecting our scarce water and environmental resources from climate change and possible drought from rampant development that has occurred throughout the American west. We have to be realistic about resources and provide for smart development and I believe South Dakota, as the "Saudi Arabia of Wind and Solar," can provide the jobs and sustainable development needs. But we have to protect our lands from greed and overdevelopment.
Race relations between Natives and Whites and needs to be addressed for peace and reconciliation. There are continued problems with racism and economic disparity and we cannot let that go any longer. State government must treat the American Indian tribes with respect for their sovereignty and drastically improve government to government relations.
Stemming the brain drain and being last in the U.S. in economic equality, SD is in need of a revamping of our economic drivers and start opening up new channels with additional trade partners. Our crumbling infrastructure is an issue. We have to work more closely with the federal government until we can fund our own infrastructure projects to bring back rational, pragmatic development to our roads and protect the aging bridges. Revitalizing rural communities is an obvious need in many rural communities where we have a rotting housing stock. Furthermore, homelessness and crimes of despair are a result of a weak economy and we need to get people back to work and protect the most vulnerable. Checks and balances. The legislature needs to stand up for the rights of minorities and groups that may be trampled by the executive branch. Ill conceived ideas like the governments abolishment of the SD Dept of Environment and Natural Resources is an example where the legislature has a duty to intervene. The demise of the family farm and the rise of enormous corporate dairy and hog farms looks almost inevitable and so it is up to the legislatures that People put into power to stand up to these issues. Furthermore, corporate profits from large farm operations go out of state and the jobs created are low-paid and hazardous occupations due to the polluting nature of these farms.
A combined Department of Agriculture and Department of Environment and Natural Resources is an attempt to appear like small government is the objective, but the opportunity for environmental degradation and lack of transparency to mining claims, environmental regulations, or other critical items could easily be concealed from the legislature by these decisions. In this example, it's important to remember that the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources is a big part of regulating gas, mining, and protecting our drinking water. The thought of protections being chipped away is NOT the direction the people want of our state government.
The legislature is not a rubber stamp. Yes. Government for the People by the People. How else can people feel comfortable with their vote if they do not have a relationship or means of communicating with these individuals? Our democracy was not created to keep legislators outside of the purview of the people.
I do not believe politicians should choose their voters. I believe voters should believe their politicians. Therefore, redistricting should be assigned to an independent, non-partisan task force/committee/commission/board that draws maps based upon either "partisan fairness" or "competitiveness" so that we do not end up in "stacked" or "cracked" districts. South Dakota is an At-Large state, but apparently our state legislative map is one of the most redistricted in the U.S. State legislative lines are just as important as Congressional. We have to have fair representation and having to fight gerrymandering on top of running healthy, transparent campaigns is tough pill to swallow. Gerrymandering is a dirty trick and needs to be eliminated everywhere.
From studying some incredible lawmakers, I believe they all have one thing in common: their own independence. I will be my own type of lawmaker. Although I greatly respect the ideals and values of those before us, I would rather model my decisions based on the principles and ideals of fairness and equality, virtues if you will, and make comprehensive, difficult decisions based on those merits to advance the lives of the People who cast their ballot for me knowing that that is what I am going to do.
If the People continue to suffer, there will always be reason to keep fighting and if I am the best fighter for that job, then yes. However, that will be up to the electorate to decide.
There are so many stories I have heard.
How about the family right now surviving off of donated meat. Dad works for the city in a good job, mom has to stay home and take care of the children because childcare is too expensive and it does not make sense for her to get that job, find that purpose. It's really sad and you could see in her eyes she was on the verge of breaking down. Furthermore, this family lives in a wealthy neighborhood. It is stories like that where we start to realize the consequences of this pandemic on top of the difficulty of raising children and working. We have to do better for working families and make sure that childhood development is protected.
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See also
External links
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Jon Hansen
Majority Leader:Scott Odenbach
Minority Leader:Erin Healy
Representatives
Republican Party (63)
Democratic Party (6)
