James Shade

Democrat | Georgia

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Candidate Profile*

James Shade — State Rep., Dist. 22 (Georgia General | November 5, 2024)
State Rep., Dist. 22 Georgia General | November 3, 2026
Ratings & research below apply to this race only — Select to see 1 other races

Moderate

*Additional information appears below for educational purposes; however, only data received prior to the candidate deadline was considered during Panel Evaluation.

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

Florida State University - College of Law, Tallahassee, FL, Juris Masters

National University, San Diego, CA, Bachelors of Law

WORK & MILITARY

Candidate did not provide

AFFILIATIONS

Organizing for America, Field Organizer, 2013-2015

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Wellness Ambassador, 2013-2015

Fighting50, Member, 2022-2026

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

Georgia House of Representatives (District 22), 2022-2026

ENDORSEMENTS*

*These endorsements were received after the deadline and were not considered in the Panel Evaluations and are for additional educational purposes only.
LIBERAL (4)

National Democratic Redistricting Committee

*Georgia AFL-CIO

Sierra Club Georgia

Fighting Fifty (50)

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (4)

Common Good

Fighting50

Sierra Club Georgia Chapter

National Democratic Redistricting Committee

SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS


LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (1)

James Shade (2026)

RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Fighting 50 PAC (2026)

James Shade (2026)

Local, County, District Democratic Organizations (2026)

OTHER INFORMATION

Candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection Survey in 2024.

QUESTIONNAIRE

RIGHT TO LIFE

Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).

Neutral

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

I believe an elective abortion should be allowed early in pregnancy, before fetal viability, as a private decision between a woman and her healthcare provider, without unnecessary government interference.

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Neutral

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Neutral

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Neutral


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

I would support a Georgia Wage Commission that reviews each sector using objective economic data and recommends adjustments periodically, with increases phased in so that small businesses have time to adapt.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Neutral

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

1. Require Regular Performance Audits of State Agencies 2. Reform State Contracting and Procurement 3. Increase Accountability for Every Taxpayer Dollar


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

To me, “separation of church and state” means government must respect every person’s freedom to practice their faith, change their faith, or practice no religion at all, while ensuring that government itself does not establish, endorse, or favor one religion over another. Faith can be an important part of an individual’s values and public service, but government decisions should be made in accordance with the Constitution and laws that apply equally to everyone.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Neutral


HEALTHCARE

What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.

Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Neutral


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Neutral

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

N/A


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Neutral


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Disagree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree


VALUES

Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.

Neutral

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Neutral

Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.

Neutral

I support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Neutral

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I believe there is a God. My values are faith, integrity, and compassion.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Strongly Disagree

Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.

Strongly Agree


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Neutral

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

Georgia should maintain a diversified portfolio that combines nuclear power, natural gas, solar, hydroelectric power, battery storage, and emerging technologies to ensure reliability, affordability, and energy independence.


ABOUT YOU

When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?

Moderate

Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.

NO

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.

NO


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

The goal of the criminal justice system should be to protect the public, hold offenders accountable, deter future crime, support victims, and provide meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation while ensuring that every person receives fair and equal treatment under the law.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Neutral

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Neutral


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

I support the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding Georgians to own firearms, but that right must be balanced with reasonable measures that protect the public. I support universal background checks for firearm purchases, safe-storage requirements to keep guns away from children and unauthorized users, reasonable waiting periods, and stronger restrictions on firearm possession by violent felons and individuals subject to qualifying domestic-violence orders.

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