Representatives Ed McBroom, Tom Casperson and Jack Bergman introduced U.S. Senate candidate John James to a group of over 150 supporters at the Marquette Commons Friday afternoon. James, a Republican from Detroit, is running against Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow.
During the event, James focused on addressing opportunity inequality, improving education and supporting veterans.
“I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to lower the barriers of taxation and regulations that crushes our business and job creators and innovators,” James said. “I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to make sure that everybody has access to the American dream.”
James graduated from West Point in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Military Academy. He then served for eight years in the U.S. Air Force as a ranger-qualified aviation officer. He fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning the Combat Action Badge and two Air Medals. By the time he was honorably discharged, James logged 753.8 flight hours leading two
Apache platoons.
After his military service, James further pursued education, earning a Master of Supply Chain Management and Information Systems from Penn State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He then returned to the family business, James Group International–a group of companies that provide logistics to and management solutions to supply chain companies.
James is a self-described “political outsider” who supports the Trump agenda. He was endorsed in September by President Trump on Twitter.
“Just met John James of Michigan. He has every single quality to be your next Great Senator from Michigan. When the people of Michigan get to know John, they will say he is a true star. Also, distinguished Military and a Combat Vet!” Trump said in the Tweet.
During the event, James criticized Sen. Stabenow for her lack of solutions to Michigan problems, as well as her lack of support for veterans.
“We need change and we need it now, but I can guarantee you that if Debbie Stabenow goes back to Washington, nothing will change. When somebody shows you who they are, believe them,” James said. “She’s been in Washington for 20 years, and the United States Senate for 18, and gotten five of her cosponsored bills into law, three of which are to rename buildings.”
James spoke heavily to his experience as a veteran, and the lack of support for those serving and who have served in the past. He especially took issue with Stabenow’s lack of support for funding the military.
“Sen. Stabenow vowed that she would give troops everything that we needed when we went into combat, and in November 2007, she voted against emergency funding for troops that were deployed,” James said. “I know because I was there.”
In a mid-September poll, Stabenow held a 19-point lead against James. According to a mid-October poll however, James trailed by only seven points.
As the race tightens, James has seen an increase in support from financial donors. Last quarter, he raised $3.6 million, compared to Stabenow’s $1.8 million. At the event, James expressed pride that 60,000 individual donors had offered support for his campaign and plan for Michigan.
If James wins his bid for Senate, he would become the first African American elected by Michigan to the U.S. Senate.
Editor’s note: Riley Garland serves as President of NMU College Republicans.
