The Issues Party
James Phd Torino
House · TN-09 · Challenger

James Phd Torino

DTNPrimary in 10d
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Push for answers before voters decide.
Primary: Aug 6, 2026 · 10d
Candidate Biography

About James Phd Torino

Jim Torino (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 9th Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on August 6, 2026.

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Issues Ledger

Civic Accountability Board
What this candidate should answer before asking for power

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1
Data Bill of Rights
Access, move, delete and receive a full accounting of your personal data.
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Pending
2
War-Crime Accountability
Mandatory review, reporting and support restrictions when credible evidence indicates war crimes.
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Pending
3
Congressional Stock Trading Ban
No trading on the people's trust.
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Pending
4
Citizens United Reform
Reduce corporate/election-money distortion after Citizens United.
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Pending
5
Universal Healthcare
Care without medical bankruptcy.
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Pending
6
Section 224 — U.S.–Israel Military Integration (FY27 NDAA)
Section 224 of the FY27 NDAA embeds U.S. forces into Israeli military command structures. Voters deserve to kn…
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Pending
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Candidate Record

Candidate on the Issues

Survey Q&A

[{"question": "Ballotpedia survey responses", "answer_html": "<p>See also: <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a></p>\n<div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-xs-10 col-md-6 col-xs-offset-1 col-md-offset-3\"><p><a href=\"https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\"><img align=\"middle\" alt=\"Candidate Connection\" src=\"https://cdn.ballotpedia.org/images/8/88/Candidate_Connection_Logo.png\" width=\"90%\"/></a></p></div></div>\n<p>Jim Torino completed <a href=\"/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection\">Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection</a> survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torino's responses.</p>\n<p><span class=\"expand-all\">Expand all</span> | <span class=\"collapse-all\">Collapse all</span></p>\n<div aria-multiselectable=\"true\" class=\"panel-group\" id=\"accordion\" role=\"tablist\"><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" id=\"heading-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWho are you? Tell us about yourself.\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-bio-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m Jim Torino, a healthcare professional, nonprofit founder, husband, father, and first-time candidate for Congress. My family came to America in search of a better life, and like many families, found ourselves in service to our country and our communities. \r\n<p>My great-grandfather helped build the Brooklyn Bridge, my grandfather served in World War II, my father proudly in the Navy, and my mother was a nurse who spent her life caring for others. That legacy of \"service to others\" shaped me.\r\n</p><p>I’ve spent my career working with families who are struggling, navigating healthcare and other economic pressures, and systems that too often don’t work for them. I founded a nonprofit to meet people where they are and help restore dignity and stability in their lives.\r\n</p>\nI’m running for Congress because I believe we’ve lost sight of who government is supposed to serve. I’m not a career politician, I’m someone who has spent a lifetime in service, and I’m ready to bring that same commitment to the people’s house.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" id=\"heading-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tPlease list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-key-message-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"><ul><li>Making life affordable again - Families shouldn’t have to choose between groceries and medicine. I’ll work to lower overall healthcare costs and make prescription drugs more affordable. We must also tackle the broader cost of living i.e., housing, childcare, and everyday essentials by focusing on practical solutions that actually put money back in people’s pockets. That includes introducing legislation to provide universal childcare for kids 5 years old and under and standing up to corporate investors who are buying up homes, squeezing renters, and pricing families out of their own communities. Housing should be for people, not just profits.</li><li>Standing up for workers and rebuilding the middle class - The people who power our economy deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and a real path to stability. I’ll fight to strengthen workers’ rights, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, expand apprenticeships, and invest in job training that leads to good-paying careers. No one working full-time should be struggling to afford the basics. We should reward work and rebuild a middle class where families have the chance not just to get by, but to get ahead.</li><li>Bringing accountability back to government - Washington is meant to serve the people and move us toward a more perfect union, not cater to special interests. I’ll fight for greater transparency, real campaign finance reform, responsible spending, and an end to the dysfunction that blocks meaningful progress. That means being open and honest with voters, focusing on results over rhetoric, and being willing to work across differences when it delivers for the people we serve. It’s time to restore trust by making government work for the people again.</li></ul></span></div></div></div></div><div class=\"panel panel-default\"><div class=\"panel-heading\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-329015-2026-03-24\" id=\"heading1-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tab\"><p class=\"panel-title\" style=\"font-size: 14px;font-weight: 600;\"><a aria-controls=\"collapse1-329015-2026-03-24\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"collapsed\" data-parent=\"#accordion\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" href=\"#collapse1-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"button\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right pull-right\"></i><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-down pull-right\"></i>\t\t\t\tWhat areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?\t\t\t</a></p></div><div aria-labelledby=\"heading1-329015-2026-03-24\" class=\"panel-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse1-329015-2026-03-24\" role=\"tabpanel\"><div class=\"panel-body\" style=\"max-height: 500px; overflow-y: scroll;\"><div class=\"answers-container\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\t\t\t\tI’m deeply passionate about making healthcare affordable and accessible for every family. No one should have to delay care, skip prescriptions, or risk financial ruin because they got sick. I’ve seen firsthand how rising premiums, high deductibles, and unpredictable billing push people to the brink, even when they have insurance. We need to lower costs across the system: increase price transparency, take on pharmaceutical price gouging, and hold insurers and providers accountable. Preventive care and early treatment should be prioritized, not priced out of reach. I also believe in strengthening the healthcare workforce and investing in community-based care so people can get help before conditions become crises.\t\t\t</span></div></div></div></div></div>\n<div class=\"small\" data-nosnippet=\"\"><p><i><b>Note:</b> Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.</i></p></div>", "answer_text": "See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection\n\nJim Torino completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Torino's responses.\nExpand all | Collapse all\nWho are you? Tell us about yourself. I’m Jim Torino, a healthcare professional, nonprofit founder, husband, father, and first-time candidate for Congress. My family came to America in search of a better life, and like many families, found ourselves in service to our country and our communities. My great-grandfather helped build the Brooklyn Bridge, my grandfather served in World War II, my father proudly in the Navy, and my mother was a nurse who spent her life caring for others. That legacy of \"service to others\" shaped me. I’ve spent my career working with families who are struggling, navigating healthcare and other economic pressures, and systems that too often don’t work for them. I founded a nonprofit to meet people where they are and help restore dignity and stability in their lives. I’m running for Congress because I believe we’ve lost sight of who government is supposed to serve. I’m not a career politician, I’m someone who has spent a lifetime in service, and I’m ready to bring that same commitment to the people’s house. Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office? Making life affordable again - Families shouldn’t have to choose between groceries and medicine. I’ll work to lower overall healthcare costs and make prescription drugs more affordable. We must also tackle the broader cost of living i.e., housing, childcare, and everyday essentials by focusing on practical solutions that actually put money back in people’s pockets. That includes introducing legislation to provide universal childcare for kids 5 years old and under and standing up to corporate investors who are buying up homes, squeezing renters, and pricing families out of their own communities. Housing should be for people, not just profits. Standing up for workers and rebuilding the middle class - The people who power our economy deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and a real path to stability. I’ll fight to strengthen workers’ rights, raise the minimum wage to a living wage, expand apprenticeships, and invest in job training that leads to good-paying careers. No one working full-time should be struggling to afford the basics. We should reward work and rebuild a middle class where families have the chance not just to get by, but to get ahead. Bringing accountability back to government - Washington is meant to serve the people and move us toward a more perfect union, not cater to special interests. I’ll fight for greater transparency, real campaign finance reform, responsible spending, and an end to the dysfunction that blocks meaningful progress. That means being open and honest with voters, focusing on results over rhetoric, and being willing to work across differences when it delivers for the people we serve. It’s time to restore trust by making government work for the people again. What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? I’m deeply passionate about making healthcare affordable and accessible for every family. No one should have to delay care, skip prescriptions, or risk financial ruin because they got sick. I’ve seen firsthand how rising premiums, high deductibles, and unpredictable billing push people to the brink, even when they have insurance. We need to lower costs across the system: increase price transparency, take on pharmaceutical price gouging, and hold insurers and providers accountable. Preventive care and early treatment should be prioritized, not priced out of reach. I also believe in strengthening the healthcare workforce and investing in community-based care so people can get help before conditions become crises.\nNote: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it."}]

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Race
PrimaryAug 6, 2026
GeneralNov 3, 2026
Funding and Source Signals

Money & Influence

Where the Money Comes From
$117,034 total receipts
3%from small donors (<$200)
Small donors (<$200)*$3K3%
Larger individual donors*$13K11%
Self-funded$850<1%
Other receipts$100K86%
FEC receipts through Mar 31, 2026 (canonical). *Donor-size and PAC-type splits estimated from Political Integrity breakdowns of itemized contributions. ↗ FEC source
FEC Finance Snapshot
$117,034
Total receipts · $99,685 cash on hand
Coverage through Mar 31, 2026
Accountability Record

In Congress / Disclosures / Field Note

In Congress

No Congress.gov record linked for this candidate.

Stock Trades / PTR

No high/medium-confidence transactions displayed for this record. Low-confidence rows remain hidden from the public UI.

Field Note
“A candidate asking for power should be willing to answer clear questions in public.”
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Candidate Score
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Sources
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