Name: James Courage Singer

Race: U.S. House District 3

Email: campaign@jamessinger.org

Phone: (385) 202-3525

Occupation: College Professor

Education: BS, Westminster College; MA Community Leadership, Westminster College; PhD (in progress) Sociology, Utah State University

Website: www.jamessinger.org

Facebook: facebook.com/singerforutah

Twitter: twitter.com/urbannavajo

What are the biggest issues facing Utah Valley and how do you plan to address them?

There have been many good things from the rapid growth in Utah Valley, but along with that growth has arisen some challenges that affect all of us, some more than others. Our air quality is deteriorating and is especially bad during winter inversions. We need to make sure that our government fulfills its role as an institution that protects its people. In order to reduce PM 2.5 from our air, we need to move as quickly as possible to curtail harmful emissions, provide incentives for a renewable energy grid, and implement financial penalties against companies that emit carbon into the public airspace. Studies show that there is no safe level of PM 2.5 for humans and that exposure is especially harmful to vulnerable populations leading to premature deaths. I plan to introduce legislation to allocate resources for better, more efficient public transportation, and provide free service on the worst air quality days.

Affordable housing is another major concern for many of our Utah Valley residents, as the demand for housing increases from population growth, I propose allocating resources to successful social programs that create healthy, affordable living environments that are financially solvent and meet the needs of our neighbors. What will also help to alleviate the rising costs of living is to ensure that how we measure poverty is closely tied to the cost of living and that minimum wages are stepping stones out of poverty and are sufficient to rent in the housing market. I will propose legislation that will reexamine how we calculate our poverty rate and to join efforts to raise minimum wages commensurate with the costs of housing. There is no reason for a person to work fulltime and unable to afford a place to live with their children.

Healthcare is not a commodity, but we continue to treat it as such. In a market system, there are winners and losers, which is fine, but when we commodify healthcare, the losers are saddled with medical bills and debt and in the worst cases die because they cannot afford the costs. By shifting our focus to provide high-quality healthcare, free at the point of delivery as a right every American is entitled to, we give relief to hundreds of thousands of people in Utah Valley who can use their incomes to stimulate the local economy as well as easing the burden local and small businesses face when trying to provide healthcare to their employees.

Moral leadership is slowly becoming less prevalent at the federal level as our representatives take money from big corporations who don’t have the interests of Utahns in mind. They give a free pass to the immorality in the White House, and do not stand for the value we care about: integrity, honesty, fairness, empathy, and social responsibility. It takes leadership and courage to take a stand against the corruption we’re witnessing in our politics, and as the candidate who is not from the President’s party, I can off a much needed check and balance to make sure we retain our time-honored democratic norms and institutions.

What sets you apart from other candidates?

My background as a sociologist gives me a better perspective at understanding politics at the federal level better than someone with experience at the municipal level or limited only to business. My background, coming from the working class and as a Native American, offer perspectives on how life is like for the “bottom 90%” of Americans, and also give me a profound sense of respect towards our Mother Earth.

If our Congress switches to a Democratic-majority, which seems likely, it makes the most sense to have someone on the inside fighting for Utah and Congressional District 3, than fighting battles that will only lead to more gridlock and partisanship. That’s the last thing we want from our elected leaders. Because I am an educator, I am adept at meeting with all stakeholders and looking for creative ways to make sure that we can get the most out of compromise. I am a millennial, and as such, there is a sense of urgency to make the changes necessary for our society and planet to survive against the impending climate crisis. We cannot wait for 20 years down the road when I reach my 50s for us to finally do something about it. By then, it will be too late.

What relevant experience do you have for this position?

I have worked in public policy for over 10 years, sat on the different boards of directors from various nonprofits (Local First Utah, Rape Recovery Center, Mormon Environmental Stewardship Alliance, and the Utah League of Native American Voters). I have studied extensively about labor markets and social policy, earning a master’s degree and working on a doctorate degree. I have been involved in activism and understand grassroots organizing and the many different kinds of social problems people face in different groups, whether that be social class, religion, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, and so on. And above all else, I understand better how social institutions, ideologies, and social forces affects the lives of individuals and how to ensure that we can experience real freedom.

What previous elected positions have you held?

I have worked extensively in other realms of politics, such as public policy and activism, but this is my first run in electoral politics.

Is there anything else you want your readers to know about you?

Please visit my website and feel free to send me any questions or comments you might have to better understand what my campaign is all about and how I can be the best voice for you and your family.