James Andrew "Jim" Harrell III (born October 8, 1974 in Elkin, North Carolina)[2] served three terms as a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's ninetieth House district, including constituents in Alleghany and Surry counties.

While a law student, Harrell worked for the District Attorney's office in Fulton County, Georgia.

He also served as a law clerk for North Carolina Supreme Court justice Franklin Freeman.

[7] During his final term, the 2007-2008 session, Harrell was chairman of both the House committees on Ways and Means and on Pensions and Retirement.

[9][10] While serving in the legislature, Harrell founded a summer program to teach high school students about government and politics, named the James A. Harrell Jr. School of Government, after his father, a Surry County commissioner and candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004.