Jesse James (Texas politician)

James was born on October 10, 1904, in Sand Grove, south of Milano, Texas, in Milam County, to John A. and Delia James. Jesse was one of 11 children. His father worked on a local railroad and was called "Jesse James" by his associates; as a result, he decided to name his son after the bank- and train-robber. He became a merchant in his home county. ==Career==

In 1932, James was nominated by the Democratic Party for the Texas House of Representatives seat for District 65, representing parts of Milam, Burleson, and Lee counties. He won the election, In 1937, Charley Lockhart, the Texas State Treasurer, appointed James as the first assistant chief clerk. James resigned from the Texas House to take the role on September 1. Later in his career, he was criticized for keeping the state's funds in checking accounts rather than savings accounts, with one political challenger claiming that this cost the state an estimated $91 million in interest. James faced few strong challenges for reelection after his initial election in 1942, often running unopposed in the general election as no Republican Party candidate would file to run against him. He was challenged by Warren G. Harding, then the county treasurer for Dallas County in the Democratic primary in 1956, who James defeated. James drew Democratic and Republican challengers in 1974, receiving only 54% of the vote in the Democratic primary that year due to the strong challenge from Don Yarbrough. In total, James was re-elected 18 times, a Texas state record. ==Personal life==

James married Mary Zana Belle, who was from Mansfield, Texas, and worked as a teacher in Thorndale. James also sold boats and developed the Lake Travis Lodges. He was hospitalized at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, on September 19. He suffered a fatal heart attack on September 29, and was buried in the Texas State Cemetery in Austin. ==References==