Blog Posts

I support John Koster.

By James Watkins, on Jan 30, 2012

 

Last weekend, at the Roanoke Conference in Ocean Shores, I announced my decision to suspend my campaign for Congress in the 1st Congressional District and endorse my friend, John Koster.  I’ll be volunteering for John as his King County Chairman – and hope you’ll join me.

James at Roanoke

It’s a decision I’ve struggled with – and it didn’t come easy.  A few weeks ago, I heard a venomous radio ad from one Republican Presidential Candidate attacking another – it was revolting.  If we’re going to fix America, we can’t afford that kind of garbage.  We’ve got to pull together and act like adults.  While I’d love represent you in Congress, this has never been about me.  It’s always been about getting a good commonsense voice in D.C..  

I find it ironic that in 2012, we’ll be facing several millionaire Democrats (1%ers? :) ) for the privilege of representing working Washingtonians – and they’ve shown they’re willing to spend their millions to buy a Congressional seat.  In my view, the only way to win this seat for fiscally conservative Washingtonians is to unite behind a single candidate RIGHT NOW.  It makes no sense to spend hundreds of thousands of very scarce dollars to have two guys who agree on 95% of the issues fight against each other in a primary.

In my 2010 race against Jay Inslee, my 500+ volunteers and a strong grassroots organization helped me engage swing voters in new ways with a positive message of good government.  I’ll work hard to give John that same grassroots advantage in 2012 in King and southern Snohomish Counties.  With his strong base of support in the North, it will be a great foundation for victory in November.

Words can’t express how much Ashley and I appreciate your friendship, hard work, and encouragement during the 2010 and 2012 campaigns.  It’s an amazing thing to get that kind of support, and my biggest fear is that I’ve disappointed you.  But I’m very confident that this is the RIGHT thing to do for our State, our Country, and our children.

At this point, I’m optimistic that potential political speculators will curb their personal ambitions and not enter the race.  That would be the height of a destructive, self-serving ego trip.  Regardless, John Koster will be our nominee.  And, with your help, he’ll be our next Congressman – and in the first time in a generation we’ll be represented by someone who shares our values.

For the present, I look forward to volunteering with my friends and supporters to elect John Koster, and returning full-time to my consulting practice at OneAccord Partners.  I’ll continue to look for ways to serve in the future.

The bottom line is that we need to fix America.  We’ve got to elect a new President, a competent Governor, and a Congress that will start serving the people.  In my own small way, this is a good first step.

Thanks,

James

Welcome to the New 1st Congressional District!

By James Watkins, on Dec 30, 2011

REDMOND WA — “Welcome to Washington State’s new 1st Congressional District,” says James Watkins, candidate in Washington’s 1st CD in response to the new redistricting maps.

 The new 1st CD is geographically huge, stretching from I-90 to the Canadian border.  Designed to be a swing district, and missing some wonderful people in Kitsap and Southwest Snohomish, its core is the same as the old 1st District - the densely populated tech heavy communities surrounding Microsoft, Boeing, and hundreds of innovative small businesses. 

 “In 2010, I ran an issues based campaign against Jay Inslee and did better than anyone has in a decade.  We generated tons of excitement in the community and gave a voice to those who haven’t felt energized for years.  My 500+ volunteers and strong grassroots organization helped me engage swing voters in new ways with a positive message of good government.  In 2012, I’m blessed to run in a true swing district where candidates need to pay attention to issues and can’t skate by on memorized partisan talking points.” 

The Truth Hurts (career politicians) - The Case for Commonsense Reform

By James Watkins, on Nov 2, 2011

Who says voters don't care about facts?  

I spend a lot of time going around the 1st District speaking about the impact of federal policy on jobs, the deficit, and spending - and what we can do to get the country back on track.  

James at ESRC
 

In true policy wonk fashion, I use detailed charts and graphs.  Many have asked me to post them online, so here they are - my 2011 Spending & Economic Charts.  I don't claim authorship of the charts - some are mine, some are from the Heritage Foundation, some from other sources, but the underlying source data is clearly detailed.  


The audience reaction has been fascinating.  Regardless of political persuasion or age, folks are riveted (shocked?) by what should be a fairly dry presentation.  They may initially argue from an ideological point of view, but when faced with verifiable facts they quickly realize that current federal spending is unsustainable under ANY plausible scenario.  

Past government policies were damaging, but current government policies are devastating the economy and prolonging the economic misery.  For too long, the career political class have done everything they can to maintain their power and win the next election - including obligating our children to pay tomorrow for the politicians' irresponsible spending today.

Those days are over.  We can't afford business as usual.

To fix our problems, we can argue about policy, but we shouldn’t argue about facts.  The historical numbers detailed in these charts are facts and should form the baseline for solutions to get us back on track.  Our spending is unsustainable under ANY plausible scenario – and fundamental, common sense reform is the only way forward. 

James Signature

The Skinny Cat Club - Us vs. The Machine

By James Watkins, on Aug 30, 2011

Today, I’m pleased to officially launch the Skinny Cat Club!

skinny cat logo

For too long, election outcomes have been determined by special interests and their fat cat donors.  Our political opponents in 2012 have deep pockets – they’re powered by a machine fed by fat cat special interests.  Check out their biggest donors.  Fat cat public unions.  Fat cat trial lawyers.  Fat cat financial services firms – from Wall Street, not main street!  In fact, fat cats of all kinds that depend on government handouts, bailouts, and over-regulation to prosper.  

On our side, especially in the first district, we don’t have many fat cats – we’re skinny cats.  We work hard for a living.  But if we want victory in 2012, and more commonsense in Congress, we're going to have to build our own machine – a grass roots machine made up of skinny cats – people like you and me, our families, and our neighbors.  Because nobody else is going to do it for us.

The idea of the Skinny Cat Club is simple.  Times are hard, and we work for a living – when we’ve got jobs.  We want a government that represents us, and we’ve got to win now, in this election.  For the most part, we can’t afford the massive donations fat cats make.  But almost everyone can afford the cost of a cup of coffee a week for victory.  Some can afford a dollar a day or more.  For the cost of one Starbucks a week, you can fight the fat cats and elect a Congressman answerable to you – and the citizens of the 1st CD.

I invite you to join me and my skinny cats as we take on the special interests.  With your financial support, we’re going to beat the fat cat machine – and bring some common sense to Washington DC.  

So click here and sign up today.  And then tell your friends!

Three Principles

By James Watkins, on Aug 22, 2011

This was the first piece I published when I decided to run for Congress in 2009.  It's as true today as it was then.

  • I believe in individual liberty and the wisdom of the people.  American citizens make better decisions about their lives and money than bureaucrats.  Remember, it’s not their money – it’s ours!
  • I believe in the power of working Americans, entrepreneurs and small business to drive the economy and get America working again. 
  • I believe in America's future - and a better life for our children and grandchildren.  We can't stand by and watch career politicians mortgage our kids' tomorrows.  The time for action is NOW. 

Watkins Withdraws From 1st CD, Endorsed Koster, Will Serve as King County Chairman

By James Watkins, on Jan 30, 2012

REDMOND WA — “It’s time to put our Country first, and personal ambitions second.  If we’re going to restore a good, effective government, we’ve got to work together,” said James Watkins, in comments at the Roanoke Conference in Ocean Shores on Friday.

The First Debate of the Season - in Seattle!

By James Watkins, on Jan 25, 2012

Up for some fun? Join me tomorrow as I debate the entire Democrat Party field - in Seattle. It's apparently going to be 6 D's vs. me. Sounds about right. . .

But seriously - to move the Country and State in a rational direction, we've got to win new voters. And we won't find them at Republican caucuses. 

Check out the Seattle Times article "One Republican vs. Six Democrats?"  Jim Brunner at the Times got my quote right - "If you can't stand in a room of people who are political opponents and speak rationally and reasonably, then you probably shouldn't be running,"

Seattle Times Logo

Some Endorsements Mean More Than Others

By James Watkins, on Jan 11, 2012

I'm proud to say I've been endorsed by the Snohomish County GOP in a vote of grassroots Precinct Committee Officers.

The PCO's know I’ve been a tireless supporter of free enterprise, fiscal responsibility, and effective government. I've walked the walk at the grassroots, working shoulder to shoulder with our activists and PCO's to improve our Party. I’ve organized PCO training, have recruited PCO’s, done PCO events, and have actively worked for candidates in other races.

I believe that working together for the good of our candidates and our ideals we can restore America.

Welcome to the new 1st District!

By James Watkins, on Dec 28, 2011

Looks like the new Congressional Districts are finalized. 

The results are predictable. Incumbents get stronger and the Congressional Districts have 'interesting' shapes. Looks like the 10th was custom made for Democrat Denny Heck.

The first district is huge - and goes pretty much from I-90 to Canada. It looks like a swing District with significant primary competition on both sides, but at the end of the day, it will be a winnable district with an open seat. 

It's time to get to work.

How to Create Jobs (or not) - The Stimulus Package

By James Watkins, on Nov 23, 2011

Did the Democrat's 2009 stimulus package work? The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says YES!

In its November 2011 report, the CBO says the stimulus created (or saved) between 400k and 2.4 million jobs.  Real world results say the stimulus failed.

Three observations: