J. W. Grant
| James "J.W." Grant | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 64th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office November 20, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Kelli Stargel |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 64th district | |
| In office November 16, 2010 – November 20, 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Kevin Ambler |
| Succeeded by | Linda Stewart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 20, 1982 Tampa, Florida |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Auburn University (B.S.) Stetson College of Law (J.D.) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Religion | Protestant |
James W. "J.W." Grant (born September 20, 1982) is a Republican member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 64th District, which includes northern Hillsborough County and northern Pinellas County, since 2012, previously representing the 47th District from 2010 to 2012.
History
Grant was born in Tampa, to John A. Grant, Jr., a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. He attended Auburn University, from which he graduated with a degree in marketing in 2006. After graduation, Grant was a student at the Stetson College of Law, receiving his Juris Doctor in 2009.
Florida House of Representatives
When incumbent State Representative Kevin Ambler could not seek another term in the House due to term limits and instead decided to unsuccessfully run for the Florida State Senate, Grant ran to succeed him in the 47th District, which included parts of Hillsborough County. In the Republican primary, Grant ran against Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair, Irene Guy, and Tom Aderhold. He ultimately emerged victorious with a 37% plurality and moved onto the general election, where he faced former congressional candidate Michael Steinberg, the Democratic nominee. Grant dispatched Steinberg without much difficulty, winning 59% of the vote.
In 2012, when Florida House districts were redrawn, Grant opted to run in the newly created 45th District, which included most of the territory he had previously represented in the 47th District, but added parts of Pinellas County. He was unopposed in both the Republican primary and the general election, winning his second term uncontested.
While in the legislature, Grant encountered legislation that aimed to prevent abuses at unlicensed religious children's homes, following an investigation that the Tampa Bay Times did that revealed that "virtually anyone can claim a list of religious ideals, take in children and subject them to punishment and isolation that verge on torture--so long as they quote chapter and verse to justify it."[1] After legislation was proposed that would require the Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies (FACCCA) to disclose information about homes that they accredited, Grant authored an amendment that would "remove any new requirements of FACCCA," citing inefficiences within Florida state government, but the amendment was ultimately unsuccessful.[2]
References
- ↑ Zayas, Alexandra (October 26, 2012). "Religious exemption at some Florida children's homes shields prying eyes". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
- ↑ Zayas, Alexandra (April 25, 2013). "Legislation addressing abuse at unlicensed religious children's homes passes House after failed attempt to strip it down". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
