LANSING — Tonight, as Michigan Republicans gather in Roseville for the second GOP gubernatorial primary debate, John James is once again not showing up—even as the debate takes place in his own congressional district.
It comes as James skipped the first debate in Sparta, which led to fellow candidates Mike Cox and Aric Nesbitt both calling him out—and even deploying milk cartons featuring James as a missing person while MIGOP Chair Jim Runestad expressed disappointment in James for missing the debate.
Beyond dodging debates, James has sidestepped questions on his vote to cut Medicaid and refused to expand health care subsidies to lower costs, while the GOP-led Congress has been on an extended break with no plans to fix the government shutdown or release the Epstein files.
James’ rocky campaign has drawn the ire of prominent Michigan Republicans and been described as “adrift,” “sloppy,” and “inexperienced.” James also skipped a Republican candidate forum on Mackinac Island in September, and then came in 4th place in a straw poll.
As James skips yet another debate, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released the following statement:
“Just like he’s refused to host a town hall for his constituents or answer questions on his vote to gut Medicaid, John James now can’t even bring himself to appear on the debate stage in his own district. This isn’t just a major embarrassment for James, but it’s humiliating for Jim Runestad and the Michigan Republican Party.
“While John James cowers at home, the rest of the Republican field will undoubtedly race to the right on stage and trumpet Donald Trump’s catastrophic agenda of raising health care prices, shuttering rural hospitals, and denying food to families. With less than a year to go until the 2026 election, the Republican primary for governor is only getting messier—and whoever ultimately emerges from this chaos will be wildly out-of-touch and too extreme for Michiganders.”
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