James Taylor (Delaware)

James Taylor (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Delaware House of Representatives to represent District 2. He lost in the Democratic primary on September 10, 2024.

Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

James Taylor was born in Newark, Delaware. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Berklee College of Music in 2011 and a Juris Doctor from Johns Hopkins University School of Law in 2022. His career experience includes working for the United States Senate, the Urban League, the German Marshall Fund, and the National Defense Industrial Association, as well as a government administrator. ^[1]

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Incumbent Stephanie Bolden won election in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephanie Bolden (D)	100.0	6,590

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,590
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Incumbent Stephanie Bolden defeated James Taylor in the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 2 on September 10, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Stephanie Bolden	64.6	1,376
	James Taylor	35.4	754

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,130
= 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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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Taylor in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Incumbent Stephanie Bolden won election in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephanie Bolden (D)	100.0	3,155

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,155
= 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 Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Incumbent Stephanie Bolden defeated James Taylor in the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 2 on September 13, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Stephanie Bolden	62.1	711
	James Taylor	37.9	434

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,145
= 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

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

James Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taylor'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.

I am an economist, community advocate, and native Delawarean. I have spent my career in public service and policy analysis working to improve youth programming, increase efficiency in government programs, and fight for greater accountability in government.

I'm running because that work isn't finished yet and I know that if we don't break from the stale perspectives and policy prescriptions of the past in this critical election, the work may never get finished.

Too many families are still struggling with the cost of living, housing insecurity is at an all-time high, and academic achievement in our schools is still pitifully low.

To address these issues the 2nd District needs a representative that can expertly leverage all of the tools in the policy analyst's and diplomat's kitbag. The next representative from the 2nd District must be able to to craft and pass policy that honors our values while working within the confines of the state budget and other resource constraints that it currently faces.

As a native Wilmington, graduate of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and former congressional staffer, I have all the skills needed to do the work that will help us meet this critical moment, and I'm hopeful that the constituents of the 2nd district will agree.

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?

I believe that government is meant to serve the people, not itself, the politicians and appointees who run it, and certainly not the special interest groups who want to influence it. So, in addition to being fiscally and operationally sustainable, legislation should reflect the values and will of all the people, not the richest lobbyist, the most thoroughly ensconced insiders, or the loudest minority. I’m running to ensure that the 2nd District has a representative who is solely accountable to the Second District and who is willing and able to assess policies on the merits instead of caving to political pressure.
My platform aims to make the 2nd District healthier, wealthier, and more united. Here’s what I mean by each: Healthier - Making sure constituents can access quality preventive health and get relief from the environmental inequities at the root of our most common health issues as soon as possible. Wealthy - Working to ensure that consumers get a square deal on unavoidable expenses such as housing and food, and ensuring that educational and job training resources render all of our constituents, especially our children and reentering neighbors, well prepared to navigate today’s and tomorrow’s economy. United - Addressing the societal issues that leave us vulnerable to disinformation and division.
This election is critical! As Dr. King once said, “We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. There “is” such a thing as being too late. This is no time for complacency. This is a time for vigorous and positive action.” I’m running because if the 2nd District wants to secure its future it will have to stop clinging to the past and elect someone with the energy, national connections, policy perspective, and creativity necessary to move the Second District forward.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm most passionate about Budgetary Policy, Youth & Families Policy, Foreign Policy, and Governmental Ethics.

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

I admire Muhammad Ali and would like to follow his example. He genuinely strived to ascertain and then live out the heart of his belief system and when it came time to pay the price for it he was willing to do so. We often associate this with Ali being stripped of his title because of his association with the Nation of Islam and his criticism of American foreign policy, but that leaves out the unheralded generosity he demonstrated in terms of his time, presence, and money. I want to emulate Mr. Ali because the type of integrity that he modeled rarely leads people astray, and I think that both our politics and our society at large need more of these types of examples they are to be restored to a healthier place.

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

The character of Atticus Finch in the classic novel To Kill A Mockingbird embodies my political philosophy. Like Atticus, I believe deeply in the equal value of all people and in slowing down when we're trying to do justice to make sure that we're getting things right.

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

The most important characteristics of an elected official are intelligence, integrity, humility, longsuffering, compassion, and a love of justice, and diplomacy.

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

I have all of the qualities that I think are prerequisites to being a successful officeholder; which is to say I am intelligent, upstanding, long-suffering, compassionate, diplomatic, and I love justice. In addition to those qualities, I am infamously incorruptible, which is to say that I cannot bribed or threatened.

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

The core responsibilities of someone elected to this office are reflecting the constituency in the State House and voting accordingly, helping constituents navigate the various levels of the government, and acting as the "coordinator-in-chief" for their district.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a legacy of service. Specifically, I would like for my life to be an example that serving others need not be

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

Like most Millennials, the first historical event that I truly remember were the terror attacks on September 11th 2001. I was 13 at the time.

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

My first job was at the Christina Cultural Arts Center. I worked as an aide at the Arts Summer Camp under the legendary Raye Jones Avery.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I'm not sure that I have a favorite book because books are more of a research tool for me.

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

One thing that has always been a challenge is being the trailblazer in my family. Often it has meant "making a way out of no way" with neither moral nor material support. It turns out, however, that this was just preparation for what I am doing now.

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

The ideal relationship between the executive and the legislative branches of government is laid out in the balance of powers doctrine. The legislature should hold the executive accountable and vice versa. Otherwise, each will become excessive in the use of their powers.

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

Delaware's greatest challenges over the next decade will be budgetary shortfalls, shortages in doctors and teachers, and the intersection of our state's rapidly aging population and retirement-eating inflation. We truly are coming up on something of a perfect storm here due to these factors, so it's imperative that we rid ourselves of the politicians who caused it and elect some younger ones who know how to fix it.

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

I do believe that it's beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics. Having experience doesn't necessarily mean that the legislator needs to be co-opted, jaded, or wedded to a particular perspective on policy (even though, that's usually the case). It does mean that the legislator will be familiar with different perspectives, dynamics, and approaches that are relevant to the work of advancing their agenda.

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

It is imperative to build relationships with other legislators because legislative relationships are necessary for the completion of legislative work. That said, it is equally important that maintaining legislative relationships does not undermine the goals that one is trying to accomplish through those relationships. To avoid this happening a legislator must be diligent in ensuring the correct understandings are in place on the front end so that expectations are set early.

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

There are many statesmen that I admire, but none more so than the right honorable Councilman Jea P. Street Sr. If I can have a fraction of the impact that he's had on the lives of the most marginalized Delawareans then I'll know that my career in public service was a success.

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

I'm not sure whether I'm interested in running for another office. Frankly, I only ran for this position because I was asked to do so, and when I examined the situation I found it to be dire and the current leadership unequal to the task. If I do seek higher office in the future it will be more the same reasons.

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?

I recall speaking with a widowed grandmother who is currently raising her grandson back in 2022. As I listened to her she touched on every policy point that I had included in my platform. She spoke about how a particular after-school program was probably saving her grandson's life, how she could afford her property taxes now that her husband is gone, and how politicians like the one I was challenging didn't seem to get that beautification projects don't actually do anything for neighborhoods like hers except attract real estate speculators. Talking to that voter and far too many like her is what has kept me committed to working for change.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I'm a huge fan of blue humor so I probably shouldn't say. I will tell you that it's a Redd Foxx joke, though.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legislature should absolutely oversee the use of emergency powers. If the legislature fails to oversee the use of emergency powers

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

The first bill that I would introduce establishes term limits. At a bare minimum, we should be ensuring that an elected official takes a sabbatical every ten calendar years to force them to remember what it means to be a constituent and to make sure that our incumbents aren't remaining in office

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

It’s still too early for any state-level candidates to have any endorsements. That said, it’s critical that the 2nd District get a Representative who will favor it over special interests and advocacy groups. It’s been my experience that many if not most endorsements and donations come with attached strings intended to make the recipient into a puppet. Because of this, I’ve decided that I will not actively seek any endorsements and will only accept them provided that it’s understood that an endorsement will not influence my votes in the legislature. I intend to work for the constituents and the constituents alone. Moreover, I intend to respect their wishes — even when others disagree with them.

What committees interest you?

The committees that interest me right now are the Economic Development, Sunset Committee, Health & Human Development, Education, Veteran's Affairs, and Administration.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Accountability is among my biggest values as a current policymaker, and I believe that financial transparency is one of the best ways to secure it. Looking at someone's money is one the best ways to see what their priorities are and looking at how they track money is one of the best ways to get an idea of how capable a steward of resources they are. In view of this, I think that all financial records should be readily available to citizens at any time, and whistleblower protections should be robust to ensure that irregularities can successfully be brought to light without fear of reprisal.

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.

2022

James Taylor did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

James Taylor campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Delaware House of Representatives District 2	Lost primary	$4,047	$3,978
2022	Delaware House of Representatives District 2	Lost primary	$12,869	$12,165
Grand total			$16,916	$16,143
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

External links

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Candidate

Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 14, 2024

[show]

Current members of the Delaware House of Representatives

Leadership

Speaker of the House:Melissa Minor-Brown

Majority Leader:Kerri Harris

Minority Leader:Timothy Dukes

Representatives

District 1

Nnamdi Chukwuocha (D)

District 2

Stephanie Bolden (D)

District 3

Josue Ortega (D)

District 4

Jeff Hilovsky (R)

District 5

Kendra Johnson (D)

District 6

Debra Heffernan (D)

District 7

Larry Lambert (D)

District 8

Sherae'a Moore (D)

District 9

Kevin Hensley (R)

District 10

Melanie Ross Levin (D)

District 11

Jeffrey Spiegelman (R)

District 12

Krista Griffith (D)

District 13

DeShanna Neal (D)

District 14

Claire Snyder-Hall (D)

District 15

Kamela Smith (D)

District 16

Franklin Cooke (D)

District 17

Melissa Minor-Brown (D)

District 18

Sophie Phillips (D)

District 19

Kimberly Williams (D)

District 20

Alonna Berry (D)

District 21

Frank Burns (D)

District 22

Michael Smith (R)

District 23

Mara Gorman (D)

District 24

Edward Osienski (D)

District 25

Cyndie Romer (D)

District 26

Madinah Wilson-Anton (D)

District 27

Eric Morrison (D)

District 28

William Carson (D)

District 29

William Bush (D)

District 30

Shannon Morris (R)

District 31

Sean Lynn (D)

District 32

Kerri Harris (D)

District 33

Charles Postles (R)

District 34

Lyndon Dean Yearick (R)

District 35

Jesse Vanderwende (R)

District 36

Bryan Shupe (R)

District 37

Valerie Jones Giltner (R)

District 38

Ronald Gray (R)

District 39

Daniel Short (R)

District 40

Timothy Dukes (R)

District 41

Richard Collins (R)

Democratic Party (27)

Republican Party (14)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 14, 2024

[1]

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James Taylor (Delaware)

Contents

Biography

Elections

2024

General election

General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 2

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

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