Priorities

James has made preventing domestic violence and sexual assault—and protecting survivors—a top priority throughout his career. Before being elected to the Board of Supervisors, he helped create Fairfax County’s “Make the Call” campaign to ensure survivors could access the County’s 24-hour domestic and sexual violence hotline. He chaired Fairfax’s Council to End Domestic Violence for three years, working to expand access to services and strengthen the County’s support systems for victims.

He also led efforts to expand Fairfax County’s Lethality Assessment Program, an innovative, data-driven strategy that immediately connects victims at highest risk of being killed by their abuser with life-saving services. James has prioritized implementing and promoting Fairfax County’s Red Flag Law, which helps keep firearms out of the hands of abusers and individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others. Because of those efforts, Fairfax County leads Virginia in securing firearms from dangerous individuals.

In Congress, James will work to reauthorize and strengthen the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by improving services for victims, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and protecting the rights of non-citizen survivors to seek immigration relief. With at least 26 women having accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct—and a jury finding him liable for sexual abuse—it is critical that Congress act to protect survivors and defend their rights.

James has been a consistent advocate for common-sense gun safety laws that protect communities while respecting responsible gun ownership. On the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, he led the effort to pass a landmark ordinance banning guns in County buildings, libraries, rec centers, and parks. When the NRA sued Fairfax County to overturn the ordinance, James didn’t back down—and today, those protections remain in place.

He also championed Fairfax County’s implementation of Virginia’s Red Flag Law and led public education efforts to make sure residents understand how to use it. These efforts are one reason Fairfax County is the safest large jurisdiction in the United States, with some of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation.

As the parent of a four-year-old who has already experienced a preschool lockdown, James knows we must do more to prevent gun violence. In Congress, he will support legislation to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, close the Charleston loophole, require background checks on all gun sales, and oppose federal concealed carry mandates that override state protections.

James is a proud graduate of Northern Virginia public schools and knows that strong public education is the foundation of a thriving community and economy. Despite chronic underfunding from Richmond, he has fought to increase local investments in Fairfax County Public Schools—securing over $587 million in new funding, supporting teacher pay raises, bonuses, and the renovation and modernization of our school buildings.

Fairfax schools consistently outperform the rest of Virginia, thanks to incredible teachers, dedicated staff, and the investments the County has made in student success. But those gains are at risk. Virginia is $3.5 billion below the national average in state funding for education, behind West Virginia and Kentucky. In Fairfax County alone, the state funding shortfall from Richmond is more than $550 million. And at the same time Donald Trump is dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and slashing funding for core programs like Title I and special education. Nearly one million infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities rely on early intervention through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act—and 26 million pre-K–12 students benefit from Title I.

In Congress, James will fight to protect the Department of Education, fully fund IDEA and Title I, and increase support for military-connected students through the federal Impact Aid program.

James ran for the Board of Supervisors with a commitment to addressing the climate crisis and making Fairfax County carbon neutral. As Chair of the Board’s Environmental Committee, he has led efforts to transition County buildings to solar energy, convert the vehicle fleet to electric, and empower residents to reduce their carbon footprint.

He spearheaded implementation of Fairfax’s five-cent plastic bag fee, which has already raised millions to support litter prevention while dramatically reducing plastic pollution. He is also leading the County’s Zero Waste initiative to reduce landfill waste and make sustainability a core principle of local government.

In Congress, James will support bold federal investments in clean energy innovation, energy efficiency, and electrification. He’ll also fight to strengthen protections for clean air and water and accelerate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.

James has worked at every level of government to grow and protect Northern Virginia’s economy. As Chief of Staff to Congressman Gerry Connolly, he helped secure millions in federal funding for Fairfax County and protected the region’s federal workforce. On the Board of Supervisors, he supported small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic with critical grants and stood up to attacks from Donald Trump and Elon Musk targeting public servants.

He has also led regional efforts to support economic development, attract high-quality jobs, and invest in critical infrastructure like rail and broadband. In Congress, James will fight for infrastructure investments that grow our economy and improve quality of life.

Northern Virginia is one of the most innovative regions in the world. James believes we must embrace the next generation of technology—including Artificial Intelligence (AI), space and quantum technologies, and blockchain—to create new economic opportunities. Blockchain, for example, can reduce administrative costs for businesses and lower fees for consumers. Congress should establish modern, risk-based regulatory frameworks that support responsible innovation and prevent abuse.

James understands that the high cost of housing is one of the biggest challenges facing families in Fairfax County and across the country. He has championed local efforts to increase the housing supply, including the conversion of an underutilized County-owned parking lot into 279 new affordable housing units and a childcare facility for working families.

He supported the continued dedication of one penny on the real estate tax rate to affordable housing—an initiative that began under then-Chairman Gerry Connolly—and has voted to streamline zoning and permitting processes to accelerate housing construction.

Across the country, American families are facing a shortage of affordable homes, rising rents, and underfunded federal housing programs. In Congress, James will support legislation to strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), increase funding for the Housing Trust Fund, and incentivize local governments to reform restrictive zoning laws to allow more housing options.

Fairfax County’s status as the safest large jurisdiction in the country is no accident. It’s the result of sustained investment in public safety and a focus on building trust between law enforcement and the community. James has supported higher pay for police officers, the creation of co-responder teams for behavioral health crises, the deployment of police body cameras, and strengthening of the County’s independent Police Civilian Review Panel.

He also helped pass Fairfax’s Trust Policy, which ensures that immigrant residents can access county services without fearing that the information they share will be disclosed to federal immigration officials. When Trump adviser Stephen Miller threatened to prosecute local officials like James who refused to cooperate with Trump’s mass deportation policies, James didn’t back down.

In Congress, James will advocate for justice reform and defend due process while ensuring that law enforcement resources are focused on violent crime. He will support increased funding for the COPS program and prioritize evidence-based, community-oriented policing.

James believes that access to comprehensive reproductive health care—including contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and cancer screenings—is a fundamental right. As Chairman of the Board’s Legislative Committee, he led the successful effort to include protection of reproductive freedom in Fairfax County’s legislative platform, and supported County efforts to expand access in the wake of the Dobbs decision.

He knows the stakes are high: Republican leaders in Washington and Richmond are pushing for a national abortion ban and rolling back access to reproductive care. In Congress, James will fight to protect reproductive freedom for every American.

James believes every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. He helped Fairfax County earn a perfect 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index—a reflection of its commitment to inclusion and civil rights.

In Congress, James will support legislation to expand federal non-discrimination protections, add sexual orientation and gender identity to the Fair Housing Act, and require colleges and universities to strengthen anti-harassment programs and Title IX enforcement.

James has been a tireless advocate for veterans and military families in Fairfax County. When an oversight in state law denied tax relief to spouses of service members who died in the line of duty, James worked to pass new legislation and drafted the local ordinance to fix it. He then created Fairfax County’s first-ever Veterans and Military Families Commission to ensure veterans’ voices are heard at every level of local government.

In Congress, James will fight for improved oversight of the VA, stronger mental health care and suicide prevention programs, and enhanced survivor benefits to ensure our veterans and their families receive the support and respect they’ve earned.

James believes our democracy is at a critical turning point. The Trump Administration is ignoring judicial orders, disappearing people to foreign prisons, and ignoring due process protections. Democrats in Congress must stand up and defend our democracy against Trump’s unrelenting assaults.

As Chair of the Board’s Legislative Committee, James has led efforts to expand access to early voting, protect voting rights, and push back against voter suppression efforts in Richmond. He has stood with local election officials and poll workers who have been threatened and harassed for simply doing their jobs.

In Congress, James will fight to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, protect election workers from intimidation, ban partisan gerrymandering, and defend democratic institutions from political interference. He will also support stronger ethics and transparency rules to restore public trust and ensure accountability in government.

James has been a regional leader on transportation, working to build a more connected, sustainable, and efficient transportation system for Northern Virginia. As Chair of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board—the region’s federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization—he is leading the development of a long-range transportation plan that addresses congestion, expands access, and reduces carbon emissions across the D.C. metropolitan area.

As Chair of the VRE Operations Board, James oversaw the expansion of commuter rail service and the pending launch of VRE’s first-ever Saturday service, helping more residents access reliable public transit. He has also worked closely with local and regional partners to fund critical infrastructure projects and expand transportation options for commuters, families, and businesses.

In Congress, James will fight for robust federal investment in public transit, rail, and road infrastructure, with a focus on reducing commute times, supporting economic development, and tackling climate change. He will advocate for transit-oriented development, expanded bus and rail networks, and the modernization of infrastructure to serve a growing and dynamic region. James understands that a 21st-century economy needs a 21st-century transportation system—and he’s ready to deliver it.

James believes that immigrants are a vital part of our community and our economy—and that America is strongest when we live up to our values as a nation of opportunity and refuge. Fairfax County is home to thousands of immigrant families who contribute to our schools, our businesses, and our culture. James has consistently stood up for their rights and worked to make local government more inclusive and accessible.

On the Board of Supervisors, James helped pass Fairfax County’s Trust Policy, which ensures that county residents can access county services without fearing that the information they share will be disclosed to federal immigration enforcement. When Trump aide Stephen Miller threatened to prosecute local officials like James for refusing to cooperate with anti-immigrant crackdowns, James stood firm in defense of due process and equal treatment under the law.

In Congress, James will support comprehensive immigration reform that creates a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protects Dreamers, and secures family reunification. He will oppose efforts to criminalize asylum seekers, fight back against xenophobic rhetoric and policies, and support improvements to legal immigration processes to reduce backlogs and make our system more humane, efficient, and fair.

James believes that health care is a human right—not a privilege reserved for the wealthy or well-connected. As Congressman Connolly’s Chief of Staff, he helped to pass the Affordable Care Act, extending coverage to millions of Americas. During Trump’s first term, he helped Connolly beat back Trump’s repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

In Fairfax County, he has worked to expand access to care by supporting local health programs, advocating for increased behavioral health funding, and backing new partnerships to provide care for uninsured residents.

But too many families still struggle to afford the care they need. In Congress, James will support legislation to lower prescription drug prices, expand access to primary and mental health care, and protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act. He’ll oppose cuts to NIH, Planned Parenthood, and life-saving research. He will fight for investments in maternal health, push for universal paid family and medical leave, and defend Medicaid and Medicare from Republican attempts to cut them.