DETROIT, MI — Today, the Michigan Democratic Party hosted a virtual press conference with MDP Chair Lavora Barnes, State Representative Mari Manoogian and Dianne Byrum, State Director of Protect Our Care Michigan. During the press conference, the speakers held John James accountable for refusing to be honest with Michigan voters and demanded that he publicly take a position on the Supreme Court vacancy. James is the only Senate candidate in a battleground state who has refused to take a position.
Since the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, James has remained silent on whether he supports Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump ramming through a nominee as voting is underway in many states, including in Michigan. Even though James has tried to hide his position, his record speaks for itself. James is “2,000%” with Trump, recently held a fundraiser with McConnell. and supports Trump’s agenda to nominate “textualist Supreme Court justices on the bench,” even if they are out of touch with Michigan.
“John James must be honest with voters on whether Mitch McConnell or Michiganders – who are voting today – should decide the next Supreme Court justice,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes. “At a time when so much is at stake, including protections for 1.7 million Michiganders with pre-existing conditions, James is proving he’d fall in line with party leaders instead of letting Michiganders voices be heard.”
“Health care and protections for pre-existing conditions are on the ballot now more than ever with the Supreme Court vacancy,” said Protect Our Care Michigan Michigan State Director Dianne Byrum. “If Trump and McConnell have their way, their lawsuit would gut the Affordable Care Act, and strip coverage protections for pre-existing conditions with it – in the middle of a pandemic. By sticking with his party leaders and hiding his positions, John James has shown he can’t be trusted to protect health care or be an independent voice for Michigan.”
“Michiganders begin voting today but McConnell and Trump are attempting to rush through a nomination – without allowing our voices to be heard,” said State Representative Mari Manoogian. “Despite trying to hide his position, John James is ‘2,000%’ with Trump and McConnell as they ram through a Supreme Court nomination and push a lawsuit to gut protections for pre-existing conditions”
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