Tim James (politician)
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This article is outdated. Please update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. Please see the talk page for more information. (September 2010) |
| Tim James | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 3, 1962 Alabama |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor in Alabama |
| Website | |
| http://www.timjames2010.com/ | |
Tim James (born March 3, 1962) is an Alabama businessman from Greenville, Alabama. The son of former Alabama Governor Fob James, he sought and lost the Republican Party nomination for Governor of Alabama twice, finishing third in the Republican primaries in 2002 and 2010.[1]
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[edit] Personal life
Tim James was born in Opelika, Alabama. He attended Baylor School, a co-educational private secondary school on the outskirts of Chattanooga, Tennessee and then Auburn University in Auburn, where he earned a degree in finance.[2] While at the Baylor School, he played high school football. He was recruited as a running back for Auburn, where he played alongside Heisman Trophy winner Bo Jackson.[3][4]
Since 1984, James has been married to his wife, Angela James. The couple resides in Greenville and has three children, Fleming, Tim, Jr., and Sarah.[5]
[edit] Business
In 2004, James and his brothers entered into an agreement with Orange Beach, Alabama, to build a toll bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway. Although analysts expect the city to profit from the project beginning in 2014, the city must now borrow to meet the terms of the arrangement. James no longer owns the bridge but sold it to an Australian company for $70 million. As of December 2009, the city had paid the company almost twice the amount the city collected in revenues from the bridge.[6]
[edit] Political positions
James has been an outspoken opponent of President Barack Obama's economic proposals. He asserts that financial corporations, the auto industry, and insurance companies should not be bailed out by taxpayers but should file bankruptcy instead.[7] He has also called for improvements to education including higher pay for school administrators.[7] He opposes the legalization of gambling as a means to fund education.[2][8] James is pro-life and opposes public funding for elective abortions. Tim James opposes expansion of same-sex benefits to employees of the University of Alabama in Birmingham and stated that “If elected Governor of Alabama, I will vigorously oppose this measure and will enforce the spirit of Alabama law defining marriage as a sacred union between a woman and a man.”[9]
[edit] Gubernatorial campaigns
James finished third in the 2002 Republican gubernatorial primary. The theme of his 2010 campaign was "common sense" solutions.[10] Typically, his campaign focused on job creation and the economy.[11]
In 2010, he came in third in the Republican primary, losing a runoff berth to second-place finisher (and now-governor) Robert J. Bentley by 167 votes.
James has stated that as governor he would end multilingual testing for driver's licenses in Alabama in favor of English-only testing.[12] A campaign commercial on this issue has gained attention in the national media and on the internet.[13][14] The advertisement has drawn criticism from MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann, the editorial page of The New York Times, CNN's Rick Sanchez, Fox News Channel's Juan Williams, and Comedy Central comedian Daniel Tosh.[15][16][17]
James's campaign was managed by Sandra Lucas, a former staffer of Governor Bob Riley.[18] The campaign was being advised by the former national campaign chairman to Mike Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas who unsuccessfully sought the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. John Saltsman served as senior adviser to the James campaign.[19] The Huckabee campaign won in Alabama during the 2008 Republican priamry. James' campaign chairman was former U.S. Congressman Sonny Callahan of Mobile. U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt served as an advisor to the campaign.[20] Brett Hall, Press Secretary for former Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, managed the campaign initially and then served as communications director after Lucas was brought on board. [21]
[edit] References
- ^ George Talbot (June 4, 2008). "James makes early bid for governor" (newspaper). Mobile Register (Mobile, Alabama): p. B1.
- ^ a b Brittany Whitley (February 14, 2010). "ELECTION 2010: The Governor's Race/Tim James". Opelika-Auburn News: p. State and Regional News.
- ^ This is Alabama,The Chattanoogan
- ^ TIM JAMES: A Record of Achievement; A Passion to Serve,Republican Women of the Shoals
- ^ "About Tim". Tim James 2010. http://www.timjames2010.com/learn-more/about-tim/.
- ^ Ryan Dezember (December 18, 2009). "Bridge traffic declines again; Traffic on Toll Bridge drops BEACH EXPRESS" (newspaper). Mobile Register (Mobile, Alabama): p. A1.
- ^ a b Michael A. Bell (June 2, 2009). "State and Regional News". Anniston Star (Anniston, Alabama).
- ^ John Peck (February 3, 2010). "Gambling with state budgets". Huntsville Times: p. 9A.
- ^ http://www.timjames2010.com/news-release/tim-james-just-say-no-to-health-care-benefits-for-same-sex-couples/
- ^ "Solutions". Tim James 2010. http://www.timjames2010.com/learn-more/solutions/.
- ^ James says economy, jobs biggest issues,Sand Mountain Reporter
- ^ Tim James: This is Alabama. We Speak English,FOX Atlanta
- ^ Video: The obligatory “Tim James ‘we speak English’” ad,hotair.com
- ^ Tim James, Superstar,Washington Post
- ^ Campaigning is so easy a caveman can do it,Birmingham News
- ^ James' ad stirs up debate across US,Montgomery Advertiser
- ^ [1]
- ^ Tim James names former Riley staffer as campaign manager,Associated Press
- ^ Phillip Rawls (June 19, 2008). The Associated Press.
- ^ Rep. Aderholt backing Tim James for Ala. governor,NBC 13
- ^ Brett Hall Leaving Kentucky,WHAS-11
