2026 Pennsylvania General Election 

R Lee James

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

About Lee

In addition to his time in the military, James has served with numerous organizations throughout the community. He currently serves on the 15th, 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.

He has been married for more than 49 years and has been blessed with three children and four grandchildren.

R Lee James earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics and a Master of Business Administration from Clarion University. He serves on the 15th Congressional District Military Academies Advisory Board. He has been married for more than 49 years and has three children and four grandchildren.

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.

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 has served in the U.S. Army for over 25 years.

R. Lee James has worked as a local businessman in banking and investment management. He served in the Navy from 1966 to 1972.

Rep. R. LEE JAMES
Serving Pennsylvania's 64th Legislative District
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About Lee

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.

Lee currently serves as a state representative for Pennsylvania's 64th Legislative District. He was first elected in 2012.

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.

“He is also calling for new taxes and changes to the current tax structure totaling $1.88 billion in new revenue, primarily generated through taxing skill games and recreational marijuana, while also pushing a minimum wage increase to $15 an hour for non-tipped workers and $9 per hour for tipped workers. As the new Republican chairman of the House Labor and Industry Committee, a government-mandated minimum wage hurts both the free market and Pennsylvanians. Artificially inflating the minimum wage will only raise the costs of necessities for residents and businesses alike, which will harm economic growth.

James Urges Fiscal Discipline, Targeted Investments for 2026-27 Fiscal Year Budget

Supports streamlining regulations to reduce red tape for local employers and entrepreneurs.

Opposes government-mandated minimum-wage increases, saying they raise costs and harm economic growth.

- Supports streamlining regulations to reduce red tape for local employers and entrepreneurs.
- Opposes government-mandated minimum-wage increases, saying they raise costs and harm economic growth.

Economy

As of October 16, 2026, R Lee James’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

“The proposed budget includes $18.92 billion for PreK-12 education, an increase of $884 million, or 4.9%, from the current fiscal year. While education funding continues to go up, what are the tangible plans to ensure our students can succeed in the classroom? Just because more money is thrown at this does not correlate to success.

Questions whether increased education funding alone improves students’ classroom success.

- Questions whether increased education funding alone improves students’ classroom success.

Education

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.

There is a stark difference in philosophies from both a funding and initiative perspective. House Democrats want to aimlessly spend without accountability and reliable revenue resources, all while supporting RGGI and identical initiatives that hamstring the Commonwealth’s economy from reaching its full potential. My House Republican colleagues and I believe we should live within our means, similar to how families plan their expenditures.

Emptying PA’s Financial Tank Will Lead to Torrential Fiscal Downpours

Prioritizes responsible natural-resource development that promotes economic growth while protecting environmental integrity.

Opposes the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and similar initiatives, saying they hinder Pennsylvania’s economy.

- Prioritizes responsible natural-resource development that promotes economic growth while protecting environmental integrity.
- Opposes the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and similar initiatives, saying they hinder Pennsylvania’s economy.

Energy & the Environment

“Brine spreading is a proven method for communities to ensure safer roads for their residents, especially if the community has limited resources,” said James. “I am grateful for the opportunity to host this hearing in my district so that we can discuss with experts the effectiveness of brine spreading and better understand its impact on our community and environment.”

James, Policy Committee Host Hearing on Brine Spreading

Supports using brine on roads as a safety measure, particularly for communities with limited resources.

- Supports using brine on roads as a safety measure, particularly for communities with limited resources.

Public Safety

Voting & Elections

Amanda Shaffer

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws, including introducing tax bills. 
- State representatives and their staff respond to constituent concerns and questions through emails, phone calls, and website announcements. 
- State representatives oversee the executive branch and can vote to overrule a veto by the Governor.  
- They are elected to two-year terms and have a salary of $106,000, with a 1-3% annual increase

Your representative and state lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives