He was involved in political Activities in Barre from 1902 to 1906

For five years John James was engaged in political activities in the City of Barre, Vermont.

From March 1902 to March 1906 he was an elected Alderman in Ward four.
In March 1904 upon being reelected as Alderman of ward four he was choosen to be the president of the Alderman board.
As president of the alderman board he became acting mayor on occasion
In March 1906 he ran for Mayor and lost to the incumbent, Mayor Barclay
In September 1906 he ran for the State Legislature and lost by a few votes in a big turnout

BARRE DAILY TIMES Thursday, February 8, 1906
COMING HOME IN A HURRY
Mayor Barclay Cabled From Bermuda Last Night CITY IS IN A PREDICAMENT
Acting Mayor Mckenzie Right to Sign Call for Spring Election and Orders on Treasury is in Question Pay is Held Up
A cablegram was received last evening from Mayor Barclay who has been in Bermuda for some weeks that he would sail for home today, and will probably reach Barre Monday. This cablegram was in reply to one sent to the mayor by the aldermen on Wednesday evening. The aldermen's cablegram read: "Come at once, or send resignation." The reason for this sudden demand on Mayor Barclay to return to Barre on resign his office was the question of right on the part of Acting Mayor Mckenzie to sign the call for the annual spring election. This question was asked and the city attorney was consulted. The substance of his reply was that under the city charter Mckenzie either was or wasn't mayor, and if he was Mr. Barclay was not. If Mr. Barclay was, Mr. Mckenzie wasn't and taking this view of the matter the aldermen decided it wasn't best to take any chances on a contested city election called on a warning signed by Alderman Mckenzie. City Employees Pay Held Up. For this same reason no city warrants have been paid this month and all city employees are awaiting the return of Mayor Barclay before receiving their wages. As the mayor will reach Barre by Monday, the 12th, the delay will be only a week. Could Not Negotiate Temporary Loan. The question of Alderman Mckenzie's authority was first raised when it came to executing a note for a temporary loan in anticipation of taxes. The matter was then referred to the city attorney. He referred to the charter, which says: "In case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, occasioned by death, resignation, removal from the city or permanent inability to serve, the president of the board of alderman shall act as mayor for the remainder of the mayor's official term." As Mayor Barclay is neither resigned or removed from the city, and is very much alive when it comes to his ability to serve, there was no chance to make President Mckenzie of the board of aldermen mayor of the city, and in order that the duties of mayor might be performed the aldermen sent the hurried telegram. This section of the charter has been the same since the city was organized, but no occasion has arisen before to bring out the fact there was no provision for the mayor going away for a brief period and delegating someone else to do his duties. In fact, at the time Mayor Barclay went away it was supposed ample provision was made in the charter for such absences. End of Article

Mayor Barclay was a stone manufacturer and was quite wealthy. He had been mayor for four years. He was popular in the community. Mayor Barclay had been in Bermuda since December. He sent updates and detailed accounts of his escapades that were published in the Barre Times. It was getting to be near the city caucuses and the mayor had yet to return, so with unfinished business to attend to they sent the telegram signed by the alderman. The workman's party would choose John James Mckenzie as their candidate for mayor. He had been involved in the workings of the city government for four years. Barclay returned to Barre the same week that the caucuses were held. Mayor Barclay easily won the caucus by a wide margin.