James Hayes
RBusinessman and economist
James Hayes is a businessman and economist who previously worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. He is challenging incumbent Summer Lee for the second consecutive election, after losing to her in 2024. He campaigns on reducing regulation, school choice, and law-enforcement support.[1][4]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- SupportsPublic funding for school choice (vouchers / charters)
Supports implementing school choice so that children are not "condemned to a poor education because of their zip code."[4]
“Children should not be condemned to a poor education because of their zip code and we must implement school choice to provide the incentives to improve outcomes across the educational spectrum.”
- SupportsContinue U.S. military aid to Israel
Supports Israel and its right to defend itself.[4]
“He supports Israel and its right to defend itself, opposes excessive government spending and will work to restore balance, accountability and civility to our government.”
- SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing
Says he supports law enforcement and will work to ensure officers have the tools needed to keep communities safe.[4]
“James supports our law enforcement and will work to ensure they have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.”
In their words — priorities
- Says he supports ending overregulation that he says is costing the region jobs and causing industry to leave, and supports school choice to improve educational outcomes regardless of zip code.[4]
- Lists economic growth and energy independence, border security, access to quality education, and public safety and support of law enforcement as areas of passion.[4]
Background
- Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Earned a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University in 1983, a graduate degree from Princeton University in 1985, and a graduate degree from the University of Chicago in 1989.[4]
- Worked for six years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and has worked in industry and finance as a businessman.[4]
Campaign money
Raised $40K · spent $31K · $9,521 cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗