James McDonald (12 January 1877 – 17 October 1947) was Labor Party Member of the Tasmania House of Assembly for the electorate of Bass from 26 June 1915, when he was successful at a by-election, until his defeat at the election held on 25 March 1916.
McDonald was elected to the Tasmanian Legislative Council for the electorate of Gordon on 2 May 1916, and held his seat until he was defeated on 2 May 1922, but he won office again for the Gordon on 8 May 1928, and held the seat until his death in 1947.
He held Ministerial office as Attorney General from 1940–1946 and as Minister for Mines from 1946–1947.
[1] McDonald served as president of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Workers Union, and was Secretary of the Tasmanian Branch of the Australian Labor Party from 1931–1935.
[2] He was the father of John Joseph McDonald and Thomas Raymond McDonald, who both served as members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly.