James was raised in Quitman and graduated from Brooks County High School. He is a husband and father.

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James' campaign for Mayor in Quitman, Georgia is his first entry into politics.

Supports expanding the tax base, attracting new businesses, and building a stronger local economy.

Supports transparency in utility rate adjustments by mandating pre-vote summaries and visual breakdowns, ensuring residents are informed of changes.

Supports transparency in city audits by requiring a public progress tracker with clear timelines and regular updates until all fiscal years are current and verified by the state.

Supports small businesses and responsible investment.

- Supports expanding the tax base, attracting new businesses, and building a stronger local economy.
- Supports transparency in utility rate adjustments by mandating pre-vote summaries and visual breakdowns, ensuring residents are informed of changes.
- Supports transparency in city audits by requiring a public progress tracker with clear timelines and regular updates until all fiscal years are current and verified by the state.
- Supports small businesses.

Economy

Plans to implement a “Project Status Report” system to increase transparency on city projects.

Plans to redirect unnecessary spending in the city budget toward restoring public spaces and creating resources for youth.

- Plans to implement a “Project Status Report” system to increase transparency on city projects.
- Plans to redirect unnecessary spending in the city budget toward restoring public spaces and creating resources for youth.

Public Services

Believes replacing blight with opportunity and supports workforce housing to help families stay and invest locally.

Supports workforce housing to help families stay and invest locally.

- Supports workforce housing to help families stay and invest locally.

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to invest in parks, youth programs, and community development to reduce crime.

- Wants to invest in parks, youth programs, and community development to reduce crime.

Public Safety

Believes in lowering utility costs through smarter spending.

Plans to restore financial credibility by completing audits to qualify for infrastructure grants, enabling the development of a repair schedule for urgent needs using public funds responsibly.

Supports a transparent and balanced budget to repair and enhance water and road systems, and to support long-term growth.

- Believes in lowering utility costs through smarter spending.
- Plans to restore financial credibility by completing audits to qualify for infrastructure grants, enabling the development of a repair schedule for urgent needs using public funds responsibly.
- Supports a transparent and balanced budget to repair and enhance water and road systems, and to support long-term growth.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 3, 2025, James Edward Lawrence’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

James Edward Lawrence

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor runs the city day to day and prepares the budget each year, meaning that they propose how much funding goes to each city department, including the police department, city parks, transportation, and the fire department. 
- The mayor also hires the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and city department heads, such as City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation. 
- Most Georgia mayors are elected in odd years to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 