Divinity work James was a minister for
Menlo Park Presbyterian Church from 2007 to 2010, an interfaith
chaplain for
Endicott College from 2012 to 2015, and an associate pastor for Westminster Presbyterian Church from 2016 to 2017. Starting in 2015, she worked as an
adjunct professor at the
University of Dubuque. In 2017, James co-founded and served as director of the
Loras College Peace Institute. She defeated
Republican nominee Paulin Chilton in the general election with 60% of the vote. Following redistricting, James was redrawn into the
71st district and won re-election in
2022. In 2022, she was elected to the House's Democratic leadership team as Minority Whip. In 2024, she supported safeguarding
reproductive rights and regulating
legal cannabis.
2026 U.S. House of Representatives campaign On August 19, 2025, James announced her campaign for
Iowa's 2nd congressional district against incumbent
Republican Ashley Hinson in the
2026 United States House of Representatives elections. James criticized Hinson's vote for the
Big Beautiful Bill and stated that she would focus on lowering the costs of health care and housing, addressing
Iowa’s growing cancer rate, and economic issues that have led to layoffs if elected. Hinson subsequently declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Joni Ernst. ==Electoral history==