James R. Washburn (April 25, 1921 – August 8, 2007) was an American politician.
During World War II he served as a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.
[1] In 1976, Washburn ran for the United States House of Representatives from Illinois's 15th congressional district.
He lost the five-way Republican primary to Tom Corcoran, who would go on to beat Democratic incumbent Tim Lee Hall.
[2][3][4] Washburn served as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.