Ted James Emerges as Top Challenger to Sharon Weston Broome
Ted James is a Baton Rouge native, a graduate of McKinley Senior High, Southern University and A&M College, and the Southern University Law Center. He is a former state representative, and until recently a regional administrator for the Small Business Administration. James stepped down from his SBA position in February to run for Mayor-President in his native Baton Rouge this fall.
Before being elected to the legislature in 2011, James served as a housing policy advisor to Governor Kathleen Blanco, then joined Louisiana Department of Revenue. James was known for his ability to build relationships with Republican colleagues. Said James, “You have to find ways to work with people, even if you disagree on some issues, because you may find common ground on others. I believe in building personal relationships. Friends can stick to their convictions and fight today, and still go out of their way to help each other tomorrow. Enemies don’t help you, so I try to not make them.”
Why now?
“The question I get most often is ‘Why now? Why not wait your turn?’ And the first thing I tell people when they ask that question is that we’ve had one person as our Mayor-President for the past 8 years. That’s a long time. Long enough that we can tell if this working or not.”
“There are 32 professional football teams in the NFL. Only three have the same coach they had when the current Mayor-President was elected in 2016. As I look around today, after eight years, East Baton Rouge is not a playoff team. We can’t settle for stagnant or mediocre. It’s time for a change. The people of my hometown deserve a tangible vision and trusted leadership.”
“I’m a father, that’s my top job. When I talk to parents who are scared about crime, about schools, about the air and water – they are scared for their kids’ safety and futures. Baton Rouge isn’t keeping up and they know it. As a father I feel it.”
“Working with the SBA, I’ve seen the forward looking, progressive programs being implemented to build a strong small business ecosystem in Conway, to address homelessness in Birmingham and Atlanta. Flying into Baton Rouge from these other places that are on the move- looking down on the blight, driving home from the airport with the litter… this just isn’t good enough.”
“I know I can make a difference for this community. And I know that tomorrow isn’t promised. Covid put me in the hospital fearful that I would never see Harper grow up. Most people who got to that point didn’t make it. They never got to walk their kids into a new school again. I didn’t think I was going to make it. But, by the grace of God, I did. And I just can’t sit and wait for a tomorrow that might never come, knowing I can do things to help people today. The longer we wait for the Baton Rouge we deserve, the less time we have to spend in it.”
What will Ted do about crime?
“Letting our people feel safe in their own homes and on trips to the grocery store is my top priority.”
“Crime begins with generational poverty. We must fully fund Head Start – starting today. Early childhood education programs like Head Start give us a 20% decrease in brushes with the law for kids who participate. We have 70% of people in prison reading at a 4th grade level or below – if we can get them into school early and teach them to read, we can put them on a path that goes somewhere besides jail.”
As Chairman of the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee, James consistently supported increasing supplemental pay for law enforcement, raises for Sheriff’s deputies, and increased penalties for those who battered law enforcement officers.
“In the short term, our police need raises. Between the BRPD and the EBRSO we are more than 200 officers short. I’d bring back the special units. The street-crimes unit was effective, but under Mayor Broome there were problems and she failed to fix them. Let’s bring the units back with new leadership.”
In the long term we address crime and leadership through the consolidation of law enforcement resources. BRPD ultimately reports to the Mayor, who may not have any background in criminal justice matters. Instead, let’s consolidate our efforts under the leadership of a career law enforcement professional.”
“Finally, we desperately need new adult and juvenile jails that are suited to rehabilitation and education. We have juveniles being held in other parishes at huge expense to taxpayers because the parish prison is dilapidated and unsafe, for both Sheriff’s Office staff and inmates.”
How will Ted handle our local economy?
“Every area of our city has different needs. North Baton Rouge needs more private investment and business development. Streamline and fast-track environmental reviews and permitting. As a legislator, I got more money than ever for the Baton Rouge North Economic Development District. We need investment, grocery stores, and healthcare – the North cannot be left behind.”
“Downtown needs to reorient around a new mission for the River Center. Ten years ago, downtown was on the upswing; today it’s a ghost town. We’ve lost our way handling downtown – must find the right path again. “
“In other areas like Central and Zachary, there is plenty of private investment, but we are behind in building the infrastructure to keep up with population growth.”
What is your position on St George?
“I opposed St. George. I felt it didn’t address the needs of the whole Parish. I’m disappointed that the Supreme Court upheld the creation of St. George, but they did, twice. The Supreme Court has spoken, and this legal process has ended. Now we need to move forward. We have a new city, just like Baker and Zachary and Central. It is still part of the EBR Parish family and it’s time to move forward and establish a transparent working relationship with the new leadership appointed by the Governor. “
To learn more about Ted James, visit www.TedJames.com
Paid for by the Ted James Campaign