Meet the Candidate: John Robert James

James will face incumbent Steve Duffy and Brook Kaufman in June 4 primary

John Robert James is seeking his first-term in the South Dakota state House in District 32. The district consists of downtown Rapid City, with the northern boundary spanning much of I-90.

The Dakota Scout sent a series of questions to all legislative candidates running in contested races for the state House and Senate in the June 4 primary election. Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each question to 150 words or less.

Age: 42
City of residence: Rapid City
Profession: Hospitality (also have an active Certified Financial Planner certification)
Public service/community service experience: 4-H Extension Advisory Board member and volunteer, volunteer and former District Captain for Convention of States, past mentor Plant-A-Seed Institute, former Chapter Advisor and Board Chair for Order of DeMolay, Project Manager for Journey of Hope South team (2005), Crew Member for Journey of Hope South team (2004), Cyclist for Journey of Hope North team (2003), Philanthropy Chair of InterFraternity Council (2003-2005), past volunteer at Second Harvest Foodbank and Midnight Mission.
Family information: Oldest of four children, two sisters and one brother. My mom is Laure and my Dad is Carter.

1) What's the government's role in facilitating economic development in South Dakota?

Government should enforce contracts and protect third parties. Beyond that, the primarily role of government should be limited. When the government uses taxpayer resources to promote economic development, it creates a system of winners and losers that can, over time, erode small businesses and the middle class. These expenditures also take away resources from our infrastructure and our schools.

2) If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

There are many choices I would make. At this time, I would select former President Calvin Coolidge. He has been the only POTUS in over 100 years to reduce government spending. His policies led to the Roaring 20s and tremendous societal growth. President Coolidge was also a reluctant public servant and summered in the Black Hills.

3) Does the "Landowner Bill of Rights" -- adopted by the Legislature amid opposition to carbon pipeline companies using eminent domain -- strike the right balance between the interests of property owners, counties and the ag industry - and should voters get a say when they head to the polls in November?

I do not support eminent domain for private gain. We should not allow foreign backed companies to steal our land for a project that has no public benefit. I believe that SB201 was passed in error without the support of landowners and citizens. I actively discuss this issue with my neighbors and currently carry a petition to refer SB 201 to the November ballot so that the People of South Dakota can veto it.