Full Name:
Walter 'Jim' James Kernaghan III
Gender:
Male
Family:
Divorced; 1 Child: Miranda G Kernaghan
Birth Date:
09/11/1969
Birth Place:
Philadelphia, PA
Home City:
Philadelphia, PA
Religion:
Catholic
Attended, Finance, Drexel University, 1995-1998
Attended, Business Administration, Montgomery County Community College, 1994-1995
Candidate, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 195, 2010
Candidate, Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 195, 2008
No caucus information on file.
Managing Member, On Target Acquisition, 2004-present
Regional Account Manager, American Tower Corporation, 2000-2004
Options Trader/Clerk, Philadelphia Stock Exchange, 1998-2000
No organizational membership information on file.
Priority Issues:
As a resident of the district for eight years and growing up in the Olney section of the city, I continue to observe that crime is the most pressing issue that affects our quality of life and it needs immediate attention through proactive law enforcement with the fusion of legislative support to our law enforcement agencies in the city and throughout the state.
To truly address crime in the district and throughout the city and state we need to embrace tax reform at all levels of government especially business tax reform to encourage the investment of companies to come into the city and state to spur job creation which will provide economic opportunities for all residents of the district, city and state.
For the future of the district, city, and state we need to change our education system and seriously evaluate what works and doesn?t work and who it might work for and who it won?t touch. We need to prepare our children for their future whether it?s through the traditional academic path or through an alternative path of learning a trade which will allow them to leave school with the basic skills to pursue a career with one of the several unions located in the city in a skilled trade profession. An investment in our children?s education would be an investment in the economic future of our state. We also need to stop our students from leaving the city and state after receiving their education in our city?s higher education institutions. They are a part of our future and we need to devise a plan that keeps them here working and becoming permanent citizens of our city and state.
Reason for Seeking Public Office:
I think it?s time for a New Direction for the district. It?s time for elected officials to become more accountable, visible and accessible to their constituents. One of the reasons I am choosing to run for office is the result of the non-responsiveness from my district councilman?s office in reference to continual criminal activity that still affects the safety and quality of life for the residences of my neighborhood. It?s all too often that incumbents are never seen or heard from until it?s time for re-election and that is only if they are being challenged. I feel that the lack of competition in this district has built complacency and mediocrity in its elected official?s leadership. We?re still addressing the same issues that we did eight years ago when I moved to the district; Crime, Education, Lack of Jobs, Taxes, Residents and Employer?s leaving the city, etc.