Born in Port Hueneme — at Hueneme Adventist, a hospital the city no longer has — and raised in South Oxnard, James Importante is the son of first-generation immigrants from the Philippines who came to the United States in the early 1970s. His parents worked blue-collar jobs their whole lives, often on opposite day and night shifts so one of them was always home. James is the first in his family to graduate from a four-year university.

He's spent more than 20 years since helping local governments solve problems, strengthen communities, and plan for the future. His local government journey began as an intern in the small town of Marana, Arizona, and later expanded to Placer and Ventura counties, with roles as a management analyst and Economic Development Manager. His experience spans land use, economic development, infrastructure planning, public health and safety, and public finance — including administering Ventura County's Living Wage Ordinance and Campaign Finance Ethics Reform Ordinance, and leading the county's cannabis business licensing program.

James currently serves on the City of Port Hueneme's Measure U Citizens Oversight Committee and the board of Hueneme Housing, Inc. He also serves on the Ventura County In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority and the Ventura County Consolidated Oversight Board for former Redevelopment Agencies.

He's running for City Council to bring practical leadership, smarter planning, and long-term financial stability to Port Hueneme.

During his graduate studies toward a Master's in Public Administration at the University of Arizona, a professor once told him: "Cities that don't grow, die."

To James, growth doesn't just mean building upward or outward — it means making smarter use of the opportunities and spaces we already have. It's also personal: if his own parents were arriving in the U.S. today, he doubts they'd be able to afford the home they eventually bought. That's part of why he believes so strongly in a genuine range of housing options for Port Hueneme, so families like his still have a real path to build a life here.

James lives in the Surfside IV community with his wife, Carmen, and their young son. As a husband, father, and public servant, he believes Port Hueneme's future depends on practical leadership, responsible planning, and ensuring the city remains strong for the next generation.

Quite simply: James knows local government, and he knows this community — because it's his.