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Wanda James

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Wanda James
Image of Wanda James

Democratic Party

University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1
Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

2

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Colorado, Boulder, 1986

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Years of service

1986 - 1991

Personal
Profession
Business owner
Contact

Official website

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Personal Instagram

Wanda James (Democratic Party) is a member of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, representing District 1. She assumed office on January 5, 2023. Her current term ends in 2029.

James (Democratic Party) ran for election to the University of Colorado Board of Regents to represent District 1. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

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

Biography

Wanda James served in the U.S. Navy from 1986 to 1991.[1] James earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1986.[1][2] Her career experience includes owning a business.[1]

Elections

2022

See also: Colorado State Board of Regents election, 2022

General election

General election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1

Wanda James defeated Amy Naes and Ben Pope in the general election for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wanda James
Wanda James (D) Candidate Connection
 
78.6
 
213,030
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Amy Naes (R)
 
21.4
 
57,953
Image of Ben Pope
Ben Pope (D) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
51

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 271,034
Candidate Connection = 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 University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1

Wanda James defeated Johnnie Nguyen in the Democratic primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1 on June 28, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Wanda James
Wanda James Candidate Connection
 
51.3
 
45,617
Image of Johnnie Nguyen
Johnnie Nguyen Candidate Connection
 
48.7
 
43,334

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 88,951
Candidate Connection = 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1

Amy Naes advanced from the Republican primary for University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1 on June 28, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Amy Naes
 
100.0
 
19,386

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 19,386
Candidate Connection = 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.

Endorsements

To view James' endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Wanda James completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by James' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Wanda L. James is the founder and CEO of Simply Pure Dispensary. She is the first African American legally licensed to own a dispensary in America

A former Naval Officer, Fortune 500 Executive, a small business owner, and a leading advocate in the cannabis industry focused on social equity, justice, and ending the drug war, Wanda’s work on cannabis reform has led to her working with a host of politicians including President Barack Obama, Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Rep. Barbara Lee, and Governor Jared Polis.

She was the first cannabis professional inductee into Ad Week’s Trailblazers along with VP Harris, the women presidents of NBC, Universal, and MSNBC. Wanda was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Cannabis and 50 Most Influential Women in the industry. She has graced the cover of Black Enterprise, Sensi, Cannabis Dispensary, Cannabis & Tech, and Vanguard Magazines.

A first-generation graduate from CU Boulder and the first Black woman commission through CU’s Naval ROTC Battalion. She is now running for CU Regent to represent CD1. There has not been a Black woman on the Board of Regents for 38 years.

  • Ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral parts of the university system, while developing a national reputation of Affordable Excellence.
  • Create more flexible programs to educate the next generation of doctors, nurses, researchers, teachers and the next generation of CEOs.
  • Support the university researchers working to solve complex problems - like climate change - which will provide a robust higher education system that strengthens Colorado’s economy.
I understand that it’s not enough to enroll students. That’s why my focus will be on helping them find a path to graduation and ensuring the CU system prioritizes a diverse student body and an inclusive faculty and administration. I want to continue CU’s nationally known legacy of excellence and ensure every student has the opportunity to learn from voices that enrich their lives, challenge their intellect and opinions, and teach them how to achieve more.
Morally, I look up to my Dad. He raised me as a single-parent father and gave his all to my well-being and education. He was my rock, I miss his words and laughter every day.

Politically, there is not one person, there are many qualities of many leaders I respect. Tenacity. Honest. Strength of character. Innovated ways to solve daily issues.
The 1968 moonwalk. I was 5 years old. From that day forward, I have been amazed by space and wanted to be an astronaut. This was the reason I joined the military. And although I didn't make it to flight school, I did find my way to reach my passion in life through J.E.D.I ( Justice. Equality. Diversity. Inclusion)
I was a sacker at Safeway grocery store. I worked there for two years.
so many...

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto, because it shows how we are all interconnected.
Wild Seed, because ancient, powerful, African deities are fascinating.

Black Beauty, because I have loved horses my entire life. The time spent with my horses growing up was the most special time of my life.
Caught a Vibe by Willow Smith

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

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External links

Candidate

University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1
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  • YouTube
    		•

    Officeholder

    University of Colorado Board of Regents District 1
  • Website
    		•

    Personal

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    		•

    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 9, 2022
    2. ↑ LinkedIn, "Wanda L. James, CU Regent - Elect," accessed December 7, 2022

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