: Rep. R. Lee James was first elected to represent the 64th Legislative District in 2012. He brings his experience as a businessman, values as a family man and commitment to public service to work with him as he represents the constituents in all of Venango County and part of Crawford County.

James has more than 40 years of experience as a local businessman, working in both the banking and investment management sectors. He is dedicated to creating policies that empower local employers to create good-paying jobs for workers. In order to do this, he supports efforts to streamline regulations in an attempt to eliminate red tape and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Pennsylvania’s economy.

In addition to promoting private-sector job creation, James’s other legislative priorities include investing in the infrastructure necessary to promote a strong economy and safe communities, responsibly harvesting Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources in a way that promotes economic growth while protecting its environmental integrity and improving the education system for Pennsylvania students and parents.

For the 2023-24 legislative session, James was appointed to serve as the Republican chairman of the House Local Government Committee.

James takes pride in his family’s history of public service, including four generations who have served in the Armed Forces. His grandfather served in the U.S. Army and his grandmother served in the Marine Corps during World War I. His mother served in the Navy and his father served in the Army during World War II. Lee served in the Navy from 1966-72. His son and daughter-in-law currently serve in the Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In addition to his time in the military, James has served with numerous organizations throughout the community. He currently serves as the chairman of the Clarion University Council of trustees and on the 5th Congressional District Military Academies Advisory Board. James has served or is currently serving on the following panels and with the following organizations: Venango College campus advisory board; Boy Scouts of America French Creek Council; Luther Place board; Sugar Creek Station board; Grove Hill Cemetery board; Venango County Blind Association; Oil Heritage Festival Committee; Friends of the National Transit; and Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission. James also served as the chairman of the Venango Vo-Tech Data Processing Committee and the campaign chairman of the United Way of Venango County.

James holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and a Master of Business Administration, both from Clarion University.

He has been married for more than 40 years and has been blessed with three children and four grandchildren.