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.

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 Saint Peter's College, New Jersey. He currently lives in Westchester, New York.

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.

Russell founded Westchester-Rockland Citizens for Immigration Control. He has been a candidate for U.S. Congress five times:

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 [from 'The Western Contribution to World History'] 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.

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