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James Wright (Pennsylvania)
James Wright (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 188. He lost in the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.
Wright completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
James Wright was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Wright earned a bachelor's degree and a graduate degree from Eastern University in 2003 and 2006, respectively. His career experience includes working as a community developer. Wright has been affiliated with the Cobbs Creek-Haddington Neighborhood Advisory Committee, the 46th Ward Committee and RCO, the West Philadelphia Tool Library, Mighty Writers, Entrepreneur Works, and PHMC on Cedar and CHOP’s Community Advisory Boards.[1]
Elections
2022
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 188
Incumbent Rick Krajewski won election in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 188 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rick Krajewski (D) | 100.0 | 19,279 |
| Total votes: 19,279 | |||
 = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 188
Incumbent Rick Krajewski defeated James Wright in the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 188 on May 17, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rick Krajewski | 71.2 | 6,596 |
 | James Wright | 28.8 | 2,672 | |
| Total votes: 9,268 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
James Wright completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wright's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Experienced- I have almost 20 years of experience helping communities grow and thrive. As a young boy, I grew up seeing my blighted neighborhood and dreamed of how to make it better. I went on to get my bachelors in urban studies, then MBA in urban economic development from Eastern University. I have been a community developer my entire professional career. I have been recognized as a Rising Star by the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations. My private time has been spent volunteering with various groups like the Cobbs Creek-Haddington NAC, 46th Ward Committee, West Philadelphia Tool Library, Mighty Writers, Entrepreneur Works, and PHMC on Cedar and CHOP’s Community Advisory Boards.
Committed- I am 100% devoted to making West and Southwest Philly the healthiest place for every resident living here – for my family and for yours.
- I care. The 188th deserves someone who is dedicated to real people power and rooted in the community. I care about my neighbors. I want to see them win and not be taken over by an outside force or top down agenda. I see myself in the faces of the people here. How success becomes a reality in this neighborhood directly affects me. I see the fate of the constituents as directly connected to the fate of my family. Helping to direct the progress of the community that my family has called home for over six decades is part of my life’s story and work.
- People deserve better. The working families in the district are underserved and poorly represented. People should be aware of the help available to them from the state. They should know exactly where, when, and how to get that help. I am running because that is the unmet need I will address. The community needs clear access to resources that will make a difference in their everyday life. We cannot wait for ideological concepts to become reality; the people need help now.
- I understand. I have lived a full life in the district, from poverty through thriving. I have personally experienced the hardships and successes known to many of the constituents in the district. I am the better choice because I walk, talk, and live the life of many West and Southwest Philadelphians. I know how to move communities forward. My track record proves that I have always put the people first. There is an opportunity to make the future right. This campaign is about who can best steward that opportunity for the people. I am Wright for the People, Wright for the Community, Wright for You.
I will support a realistic plan for public safety - one that is initiated by the community and sustained with the help of the police and other partners of the community. This plan should help to repair the relationship between police and community, address the current crisis immediately, and provide for future crime prevention.
o Public safety should be a priority across the different areas in the district.
Affordable housing
o I will support a housing strategy that stops displacement of low-income residents, centers families and seniors, and creates opportunities for homeownership for low to moderate income earners.
o The family home should help create wealth for generations of relatives.
Sustainable economic development
o I will support raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
o The district needs a plan for jobs now and in the future. It needs jobs that can lift individuals out of poverty.
o I will support the growth of small businesses that reflect the dignity and demand of the neighborhoods. Neighbors should be able to shop locally for high quality goods and services.
Quality education
o We need schools that work well for everyone and thrive with parent power.
o I will support the significant and equitable funding of our schools.
In my career sector, I am known as a convener of diverse parties, honest broker, innovator and equitable developer. I am an expert at community engagement, community organizing, community planning, and economic development. I am known to be a persistent trust builder that will always put the interests of the people first.
The next most preeminent historical event that has happened in my life is getting to study aboard in Cape Town, South Africa. While there, I had the chance to see firsthand the context and societal structure of Apartheid in South Africa. I had the chance to visit the prison cell where Mandala lived for 27 years on Robben Island. I had the chance to work in and study the racially divided townships that surround Cape Town. I learned how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission created the foundation for the restoration and unity of South Africa. A hopeful work that continues today.
The ideal relationship will provide a framework for the governor to act immediately when necessary, like in the case of natural disaster. This collaborative approach will guide the governor through the budgeting process and see the creation of policies that invest in people-based initiatives. For example, the conveyance of affordable housing- rental and homeownership. This approach will enact changes to the structure of our economy, like raising the minimum wage. A collaborative relationship between the governor and the state legislature will establish rights that will shape a healthy and environmentally vital future for the commonwealth, like Article 1, Section 27 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
Aging and Older Adults Services
Education
One of the most important lessons I learned when I advocated for my children’s school to remain open was that I had to first understand the root problem that led to the proposal that the school be closed. Ultimately, our Supporters of Stanton steering committee drafted a plan that would address the districts concerns and while keeping this school open.
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
2022 Elections
External links
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Candidate Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 188 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 13, 2022
