James and his wife, Katie, live with their five children in Canby, Oregon. James was first appointed by the Clackamas County Republican Party in 2022 to serve out the remaining term of former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan in House District 39 (redistricted to House District 51 in 2023). Drazan resigned in 2022 to run for governor before losing to Governor Tina Kotek.

In 2022, James won the Republican primary and was also elected to his first, full legislative term in November of 2022, as the State Representative of Oregon’s 51st House District, with more than 65% of the vote from the district.

James is the co-founder of Estacada Timber School, a family child care business, and is the VP of Building Blocks Early Learning Center Inc. James and his family’s businesses care for more than 100 children across three early learning facilities and manages a team of more than 20 full-time employees. Hoffman Family Farms, which has been officially recognized as a Century Farm in the district, is owned by Katie’s family.

James began his public service when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on September 11th, 2003, at the age of 17. As an infantryman, James completed two combat tours of duty fighting in one of the bloodiest regions in Iraq, Fallujah, during Operation Phantom Fury. During his time in the Marine Corps, he served under both General Mattis and General Kelly. After James was honorably discharged, he returned home to Canby, Oregon and became deeply involved in his community through work and volunteering.

James has served as vice chair of the Canby Planning Commission, post commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6057, national committeeman and treasurer for the Young Republicans of Oregon, precinct committee person for the Clackamas County Republican Party, a member of American Legion Post 122, and the Canby Housing Needs Committee. He has also been recently appointed to the Willamette Falls Locks Authority Board & Budget Committees.

James also currently serves on the House Committee for Early Childhood and Human Services, as well as the Emergency Management, General Government, and Veterans Committee in the Oregon State Legislature. He is a member of the Veterans Caucus, Clackamas County Legislative Caucus, Water Policy Caucus, and the Railroad Caucus.