| James M. Harkins | |
| Order: | 5th Harford County Executive |
| Term Start: | December 1998 |
| Term End: | June 2005 |
| Predecessor: | Eileen M. Rehrmann |
| Successor: | David R. Craig |
| Birth Date: | December 29, 1953 |
| Birth Place: | Havre de Grace, Maryland |
| Party: | Republican |
| State Delegate2: | Maryland |
| District2: | 35A |
| Term Start2: | 1991 |
| Term End2: | 1998 |
| Predecessor2: | Joseph Lutz & William A. Clark |
| Successor2: | Barry Glassman & Joanne S. Parrott |
| Order3: | Director of the Maryland Environmental Service |
| Term Start3: | 2005 |
| Term End3: | 2016 |
| Predecessor3: | James W. Peck |
| Successor3: | John O'Neill Jr. (acting) |
James Harkins (born December 29, 1953) is an American politician who served as Director of Maryland Environmental Services from 2005 until March 2016. He also is a former Harford County Executive and Delegate for District 35A. In December 2019, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan appointed Harkins to the University of Maryland Medical System board of directors.
Harkins attended Bel Air High School. He received his A.A. from Harford Community College.
Harkins joined the Harford County Sheriff's Office and was eventually promoted to sergeant.He was awarded Police Officer of the Year - Harford County by the Baltimore Sun in 1981 and Deputy of the Year, Harford County Sheriff's Department, 1981.
He chaired the Republican Central Committee, Harford County, 1987–90. In 1996, he was elected as Delegate, Republican Party National Convention, 1996, 2000, 2004.
In 1998, Harkins was elected as Harford County Executive. He served in this office until June 30, 2005 when Governor Robert Ehrlich appointed him to be Director of Maryland Environmental Service.
Voters to choose two:
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Harkins, Rep. | 18,655 | 36% | Won | |
| Donald C. Fry, Dem. | 14,458 | 28% | Won | |
| James F. Greenwell, Rep. | 10,443 | 20% | Lost | |
| Joseph Lutz, Dem. | 7,858 | 15% | Lost |
Voters to choose two:
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James M. Harkins, Rep. | 10.122 | 29% | Won | |
| Donald C. Fry, Dem. | 8,791 | 25% | Won | |
| James A. Adkins, Rep. | 8,594 | 24% | Lost | |
| Joseph Lutz, Dem. | 7,946 | 22% | Lost |