Kim James

Kim James is the Democratic candidate for the Utah House of Representatives, District 8, in the November 3, 2026 general election, facing incumbent Republican Jason Kyle and Libby Shelton of the Utah Forward Party.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a retired United Methodist minister and said her priorities are affordability, environmental health and respect for the will of the voters.[2]

James graduated from Libby High School and earned a bachelor's degree from Northwest Nazarene College in 1982, a degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1984, and another degree from the Iliff School of Theology in 1990, according to Ballotpedia.[1] Her career experience is listed as clergy.[1] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she served in church ministry for 40 years and grew up in a small town in Montana that became a Superfund cleanup site.[2]

James said she supports raising Utah's minimum wage to $20 per hour, shifting tax burdens so that lower-income residents pay less, and eliminating the state portion of the sales tax on groceries.[2] She also said the state should act to increase water flowing to the Great Salt Lake, and that the legislature should not overrule voter-approved initiatives or the judiciary.[2]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.