James Norwood Patterson is an American politician serving in the California State Assembly. He is a Republican representing the 23rd district, which encompasses eastern Fresno County, including the cities of Fresno and Clovis, and a small slice of Tulare County. He is the former Mayor of Fresno, California.

The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature, the upper house being the California State Senate. The Assembly convenes, along with the State Senate, at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.