James Paul Maher (November 3, 1865 – July 31, 1946) was an American labor union official, businessman, and politician.

[2] Apprenticed as a hatter, he moved to Danbury, Connecticut in 1887 and was employed as a hat sizer and in other positions on the factory floor.

[1][2] As a labor union leader, he gained a reputation for successful mediation and adjudication of worker-management disputes.

[2] Maher returned to Brooklyn in 1902[2] and was active with several charitable and fraternal organizations, including the Civic Association of New York, Society of the Holy Name, Knights of Columbus, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

[6] He served until March 1927, when voter dissatisfaction with a significant increase in the municipal budget and the taxes to fund it led to his recall.