James Joseph McDermott (born July 1, 1967) is an American politician and a former member of the King County Council.

In 2009, McDermott completed Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government as a David Bohnett Foundation LGBTQ Victory Institute Leadership Fellow.

[4] He ran unopposed for the remaining two years of Poulsen's Senate term in 2008 but was not a candidate for re-election in 2010.

The seat had temporarily been filled by former Seattle city councilwoman Jan Drago, who had pledged prior to her appointment that she would not run for the position in 2010.

[5] McDermott is a third-generation resident of West Seattle, where he and his husband, Michael Culpepper, make their home.