Kay Coles James

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Kay Coles James
Image of Kay Coles James
Prior offices
Virginia Secretary of State
Successor: Kelly Gee

Personal
Birthplace
Portsmouth, Va.
Profession
Nonprofit executive

Kay Coles James (Republican Party) was the Virginia Secretary of State. She assumed office on January 24, 2022. She left office on August 29, 2023.

Coles James was appointed as the Virginia Secretary of the Commonwealth by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R).[1] Coles James resigned as secretary of the commonwealth on August 29, 2023 to become an advisor to Youngkin’s political action committee.[2]


Coles James is a former president of The Heritage Foundation, a conservative policy organization.[3] James was also a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team, a group of advisors tasked with recommending presidential appointments for the incoming administration.[4]

On October 14, 2021, the foundation announced Kevin Roberts would succeed James as president later in the year.[5]

Career

Kay Coles James was born in Portsmouth, Virginia.[6] James earned a degree from Hampton University.[7] Her career experience includes working as the dean of the Regent University School of Government, the director of the Office of Personnel Management under former President George W. Bush, and the president of The Heritage Foundation.[3][7][8][9] She served as the chair of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission and as a senior fellow and trustee with The Heritage Foundation.[3][8]

Donald Trump presidential transition team, 2016-2017

See also: Donald Trump presidential transition team

James was a member of Donald Trump's presidential transition team in his first presidential term. The transition team was a group of around 100 aides, policy experts, government affairs officials, and former government officials who were tasked with vetting, interviewing, and recommending individuals for top cabinet and staff roles in Trump's administration. She was tasked with overseeing management and budget issues with fellow Heritage Foundation trustee Ed Meese for the transition team.[10]

See also

Virginia State Executive Elections News and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
Kelly Thomasson
Secretary of State
2022-Present
Succeeded by
NA