About James

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James Fennell was born and raised in Los Angeles, where he was brought up by a hardworking single mother. Growing up, he experienced many of the challenges faced by working families. His father was in and out of jail during his childhood, which meant his mother carried the responsibility of raising him on her own. Those early experiences shaped James’ strong belief in resilience, accountability, and the importance of opportunity.

A strong student, James graduated from high school at just 17 years old. Only two months later, he began attending Texas Southern University in Houston. While in college, he quickly became involved in campus leadership. He served in student government as the Vice President of the Freshman Class and was also a member of the university’s debate team. During this time, James developed a deep interest in politics, public policy, and the power of civic engagement to improve people’s lives.

In 2008, James moved to Las Vegas to build a new chapter of his life. He began working as a driver for Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) Paratransit, helping provide transportation services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. During his time there, he became active in his union and was elected a shop steward, where he advocated for his coworkers, represented workers in disputes, and fought to ensure fair treatment and safe working conditions.

After more than three years serving the community through paratransit, James decided to further advance his career by earning his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). He then transitioned to driving for RTC Fixed Route, continuing his commitment to public service by safely transporting thousands of residents and visitors across the Las Vegas Valley.

Throughout his life—from student leadership to union advocacy and public service—James has remained committed to standing up for working people and ensuring that everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.