Rep. John James told Newsmax that Michigan’s crumbling economy and failing schools under Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are handing Republicans the 2026 governor’s race.
Appearing on “Carl Higbie: FRONTLINE” Wednesday, the Michigan Republican said the state has the highest unemployment rate in the Midwest, soaring energy costs, and an education system ranked 44th in the nation.
“MICHIGAN’S HOUSE IS ON FIRE.”
James ripped Whitmer for signing a Pride Month declaration while ignoring economic relief. “She should have opted in to the federal tax credit that we got passed in President Trump’s working family tax cuts,” he said.
The congressman — now running for governor — accused the Democratic Party of siding with “terrorist sympathizers and a dude with a Nazi tattoo on his chest.”
“This is what the modern Democrat Party has become,” James said.
On manufacturing, James pointed to 250,000 lost jobs since 2000. “Whitmer hasn’t made it any better,” he said, calling for tax and regulatory reform, local control, and lower property taxes to make Michigan competitive again.
He praised President Trump for bringing $17 trillion in investment back to the United States and said Michigan needs “somebody who’s actually created jobs in the real world.”
“REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD YEAR THIS YEAR.”
James also attacked left-wing ideology in government. “Communism cannot work,” he declared. “Their Marxist policies are cratering this country.”
“We can dispense with Marxism, we can dispense with the Green New Deal ideology that’s taking us backwards, and we can focus on the prosperity that we are entitled to,” James said.
James is challenging Whitmer in Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race.
