James A O'Brien
Candidate for County Council Member, St. Joseph County, District C
Background
- Occupation
- Accounting professor, University of Notre Dame; attorney and CPA
Accounting professor at the University of Notre Dame who is also an attorney and certified public accountant; he served on the St. Joseph County Council about a decade ago. He holds business and law degrees from Notre Dame.
Photo: Candidate photo via the League of Women Voters' VOTE411 guide
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Opposes a tax increase for any purpose
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: St. Joseph County Council, District CCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“NO, I will not support a tax increase for any purpose!”
Opposes TIF or tax abatements for existing data centers
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: St. Joseph County Council, District CCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“we should not utilize a TIF or provide property tax abatement to the existing Data Centers”
Economy & jobs
Opposes future data centers and further industrializing Granger
He joined council Republicans in August 2026 in proposing a two-year moratorium on new data centers.
ReportSt. Joseph County Council candidates speak against data centers ahead of November electionNews coverage · ABC57 (WBND) · Sep 16, 2026 · abc57.com
“I am unconditionally opposed to any additional data centers in Granger”
VOTE411 Voter Guide: St. Joseph County Council, District CCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I will oppose future Data Centers and also further efforts to industrialize Granger.”
Government & transparency
Supports a transparency ordinance on professional-service costs
ReportVOTE411 Voter Guide: St. Joseph County Council, District CCandidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I would advocate for a transparency ordinance, similar to one that I authored a decade ago when I served on the council.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from James A O'Brien on them.
- Environment & parksNo documented position found.
All sources (5)
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- Who and What Is on My Ballot: the official ballot of every precinct, 2026 General Election (St. Joseph County offices and districts)
Election filing · Indiana Election Division (Indiana Voter Portal) · indianavoters.in.gov
- County Council Republicans propose two-year data center moratorium
News coverage · ABC57 (WBND) · Aug 19, 2026 · abc57.com
- St. Joseph County Council candidates speak against data centers ahead of November election
News coverage · ABC57 (WBND) · Sep 16, 2026 · abc57.com
- VOTE411 Voter Guide: St. Joseph County Council, District C
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters (VOTE411) · onyourballot.vote411.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.