James Franks (born December 26, 1972 in Mooreville, Mississippi) was the Chairman of the Mississippi Democratic Party and a Democratic member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, representing the state's 19th district from 2000 through 2007. His district included Lee, Itawamba and Tishomingo Counties. He was the Democratic nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor in the 2007 General Election, but was defeated by Republican State Auditor Phil Bryant on November 6, 2007. Bryant won with 59 percent of the vote.