James L. Brulte (born April 13 1956) is a Republican U.S. politician who served as a California State Senator, representing the 31st district, from 1996 to 2004. He also served as the Senate Republican leader from 2000 to 2004. Brulte also served as Vice-Chair of the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee. He was previously the Republican Leader of the California State Assembly from 1992 to 1996. Brulte is the only freshman to ever serve as a party leader in both houses of the California State Legislature.

Brulte served in the California Air National Guard and graduated from Cal Poly Pomona.

He was elected to the Assembly in 1990 to represent San Bernardino County's 65th District and was re-elected from the 63rd District in 1992 and 1994. When term limits forced Brulte out of the Assembly, voters elected him to the State Senate in 1996 with 58% of the vote. He was re-elected in 2000 with 59% of the vote. Brulte retired from the Senate in 2004 due to term limits.

Brulte considered running for the State Board of Equalization in 2006; however, he decided not to run against Michelle Steel, the eventual victor.