James Whitney Dunn (born July 21, 1943) is an American politician and businessman from the Michigan.

He ran for the Senate in 1984, losing the Republican primary to astronaut Jack R. Lousma, and in 1988, when he was defeated by Democratic incumbent Donald W. Riegle, Jr.

He sought another term in the U.S. House in 1990, but lost in the Republican primary to Dave Camp, ending his electoral career.

In 1984, Dunn made an unsuccessful run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Carl Levin, losing in the Republican primary to Jack R. Lousma.

In 1988, he won the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate, having defeated former U.S. Representative Robert J. Huber, who had left office in 1975.