James C. Russell

James C. "Jim" Russell is a theologian, author, and Republican district leader. He worked for AT&T in White Plains, New York for 21 years as a computer programmer and network administrator.
Personal life
Russell received a bachelor's degree in mathematics, a master's degree in theology, and a doctorate in historical theology from Fordham University. He has taught theology at , New Jersey. He currently lives in Westchester, New York.
Writing
Russell's book, The Germanization of Early Medieval Christianity: A Sociohistorical Approach to Religious Transformation, was published by Oxford University Press. It examines the encounter of the Germanic peoples with Christian conversion efforts. Russell argues that a Christian missionary policy of temporary accommodation of pre-Christian beliefs and customs inadvertently contributed to a Germanization of Christianity. He contends that since the Second Vatican Council, there has been a conscious effort in the Roman Catholic Church to "shed its predominantly Western, European image". However, Russell notes, "the popularity of Catholic traditionalist movements among persons of European descent suggests that the Germanic elements within Christianity have not lost their appeal". Russell is also the author of Breach of Faith: American Churches and the Immigration Crisis.
Political career
Russell founded Westchester-Rockland Citizens for Immigration Control. He has been a candidate for U.S. Congress five times:
* 1996: candidate in a three-way Republican primary election for New York's 19th congressional district
* 2004: received 48% of the vote in the Republican primary for the
* 2006: received 47% of the vote in the Republican primary for the New York's 18th congressional district
* 2008: received the Republican and Conservative Party nominations and received 32% of the votes in the general election against Democrat incumbent Nita Lowey
* 2010: received the Republican and Conservative Party nominations and received 38% of the votes in the general election against Democrat incumbent Nita Lowey
After Russell received the Republican and Conservative Party nominations in 2010, the Westchester County and New York State Republican Committees withdrew their support for him when an essay he had written on "The Western Contribution to World History" for The Occidental Quarterly in 2001 drew media criticism. In the essay, Russell had suggested that, in response to entertainment media which encourage adolescents and pre-adolescents to engage in interracial sexual relationships, "appropriate ethnic boundaries for marriage and socialization" be taught by parents. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, and Salon.com's Justin Elliott labelled him a "racist". Russell described the controversy regarding his essay as "Nita Lowey's latest desperate attempt to undermine my campaign", adding that "a few sentences have been singled out and misinterpreted". The Chairman of the Westchester County Republican Committee supported a write-in candidate, while the New York Conservative Party continued its support for Russell.
Political positions
Russell's political positions have included reduced taxes for middle-income families and small businesses, opposition to the outsourcing of American jobs, the enforcement of federal immigration laws and the deportation of illegal alien criminals, opposition to the war in Iraq, term limits for Congress, capping credit card rates at 15% over the federal funds rate, opposition to the 2009 Westchester - Department of Housing and Urban Development settlement that mandated the construction of affordable housing, and support for utilizing renewable sources of energy. Russell earned an A rating from Gun Owners of America.

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