What is your name?

James Shade

Tell us more about yourself.

As a resident of Cobb County for the past 18 years and a devoted husband and father of three, I bring a deep-rooted commitment to my community. With a corporate law degree from Florida State University, I've not only pursued academic excellence but also established myself with over 20 years of diverse professional experience spanning corporate law, distribution, retail, and health care sectors. I possess a nuanced understanding of the state's needs and challenges.

What office are you running for?

State Representative, District 22

What is your party affiliation?

Democrat

Attach a photo of yourself

Attach your resume or CV.

Where did you go to school?

- Law degree (corporate governance and risk management), Florida State University - Pre-law degree (contracts and alternative dispute resolution), National University

Provide the link to your campaign website.

jlshade.com

What is your job/occupation?

Corporate Governance - RaceTrac, Inc

What city/neighborhood do you live in?

Kennesaw/Acworth

Is this your first time running for office?

Yes

What experiences have best prepared you to hold elected office?

I have over 20 years of valuable experience in the corporate world, working in areas like corporate law, distribution, retail and health care. Beyond my professional accomplishments, I'm deeply committed to my community. Additionally, I am passionate about advocating for those in need.

What would be your top priority upon winning office?

My priority would be to spearhead comprehensive legislation addressing the critical domains of energy, education and workforce development. In the energy sector, I would advocate for policies that promote renewable energy sources, foster energy efficiency, and support the transition to a sustainable and resilient grid infrastructure. Simultaneously, in education, I would champion initiatives to enhance access to quality education, modernize curricula to meet the demands of the 21st-century workforce, and prioritize equitable funding for schools.

What actions would you take to enhance government transparency and trust in government?

1. Strengthen and enforce freedom of information laws to ensure citizens have a right to access government information. 2. Hold frequent press conferences, town hall meetings, utilize social media to keep citizens informed about government actions plus decisions, and communicate through various channels to reach diverse audiences, considering accessibility needs for people with disabilities. 3. Support independent oversight bodies with adequate resources to investigate allegations of corruption and misconduct.

Do you believe Georgia elections are secure and what additional security measures can be taken?

Ensuring the security of Georgia's elections is paramount for upholding democratic integrity. While strides have been made in recent years to bolster election security through measures like paper ballot backups and post-election audits, ongoing vigilance and enhancements are necessary. Additional measures could include implementing robust cybersecurity protocols to safeguard electronic voting systems, enhancing training for poll workers to detect and prevent potential irregularities, and bolstering resources for oversight agencies to ensure compliance with election laws.

What is government's responsibility to ensure affordable housing?

The government bears a fundamental responsibility to address the issue of affordable housing, recognizing it as a cornerstone of social equity and economic stability. This entails implementing policies that incentivize the development of affordable housing units, such as tax incentives for developers, subsidies for low-income households, and regulations to prevent housing discrimination.

Do you believe public access to public records is sufficient in your jurisdiction and, if not, what steps do you support to remedy that?

Ensuring robust public access to public records in my jurisdiction is essential for transparency and accountability in governance. However, there may be room for improvement in the current system to enhance accessibility and efficiency. Implementing measures such as digitizing records and creating user-friendly online portals can streamline the process of accessing public information.