One of Jay County’s most prominent political figures includes Richard T. James, who was born at Portland, IN. on February 10th, 1910. In 1944, he was elected to the office of the Lieutenant Governor of Indiana under Republican Governor Ralph Gates. He served in this position between January 8th, 1945 and January 10th, 1948 when he resigned. His resignation from the office of the Lieutenant Governor was a result of his appointment to the office of the Vice-President and Treasurer of Butler University at Indianapolis, IN.