LANSING — New reporting from American Journal News shows that Trump-backed candidate for governor John James has received more than $1.2 million in donations from donors linked to Jeffrey Epstein—which comes after James selected pedophile protector Jay DeBoyer as his running mate, who has refused to open an investigation into Epstein’s crimes in northern Michigan. 

In 2025, James initially “declined to sign a 2025 discharge petition that would have forced a vote” to make the Epstein files public. 

DeBoyer has refused to open an investigation into Epstein’s connections to a school in Michigan, even as horrifying details have come to light on years of abuse where Epstein and other pedophiles preyed on students. This fall, DeBoyer doubled down on not opening an investigation. 

“John James and Jay DeBoyer protect pedophiles,” said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman. “On Tuesday, Michigan voters can reject these Epstein-linked Republicans once and for all.” 

Read more below on how James and DeBoyer have prioritized pedophiles over the people of Michigan:

American Journal News: John James took $1.2 million from Epstein-linked donors

Detroit News: DeBoyer used House committee to scrutinize Democrats, but not Epstein

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