FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2026
Contact: Hannah Osantowske
press@johnjamesmi.com
Michigan’s Frontrunner John James Goes Up On Air: “It’s Time For Michigan To Get Back Up”
With Michigan hemorrhaging jobs and families under Gretchen Whitmer, John James goes on air with a message rooted in faith, grit, and an unshakeable belief that the best is yet to come
Shelby Township, MI — Under eight years of Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan has become a cautionary tale. Jobs are vanishing. Families are packing up and leaving for states where they can actually afford to live. Energy bills are skyrocketing because of a Green New Scam that puts radical ideology ahead of working families. A corrupt Lansing keeps spending your money and looking out for itself while our schools rank 44th in the nation, push gender ideology on children who cannot read at grade level, and lock parents out of decisions that belong to them. And through all of it, Lansing government just keeps growing while Michigan shrinks.
Today, John James announced the launch of the campaign’s first television advertisement, delivering a message Michigan has been waiting to hear: It is time to get back up. The best is yet to come. The ad, titled “He Never Fails,” introduces John James to voters in his own words, with powerful images of James at West Point, in combat in Iraq, and building jobs in Detroit.
“Michigan families are hurting. Jobs are leaving. Michigan shed nearly 20,000 jobs in January alone, second most of any state in America, and our unemployment rate has climbed to 5% while our neighbors in Indiana and Ohio are growing. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a budget that is 50% more than when she took office and your energy bills are going through the roof because of her Green New Scam. Michigan gave my family a shot at the American Dream and I am running to make sure every family in this state gets that same shot. The best is yet to come. It is time to get back up.”
— John James
President Trump is delivering for America and Michigan should be at the front of that comeback. We build the cars. We have the workers. We have everything it takes to lead. But Gretchen Whitmer and the Lansing Democrats keep getting in the way. Under Whitmer, Michigan has lost more than 21,000 manufacturing jobs over the past year, ranks 49th in population growth, and watched $670 million in SOAR subsidies produce a total of zero jobs. Michigan families deserve a leader who has actually delivered.
While others in this race have a history of working against President Trump, John James has been a loyal and unwavering ally from day one. He delivered on the America First agenda in Congress, got the Clean Trucks Congressional Review Act signed into law, helped pass the One Big Beautiful Bill, and secured President Trump’s decision to base 20 next-generation F-15EX fighters at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. John James does not just talk about supporting President Trump. He delivers results.
“Michigan families deserve a tested leader with a vision for a brighter future and real solutions to fix the burning problems holding this state back. John James answered the call, flew Apache helicopters in combat over Iraq, built hundreds of jobs right here in Michigan, and has always stood with President Trump delivering real results like no tax on tips and a fighter missing for Selfridge. He is not looking back. Michigan’s best days are ahead and John James is the leader to get us there.”
— Hannah Osantowske, Campaign Spokesperson
To learn more, visit JohnJamesMI.com.
###
John James leads the Republican primary by double digits and is the only Republican candidate capable of defeating both Democratic candidates in the general election.
The full script is as follows:
“John James here.
Ever had the crap knocked outta you? I have.
They specialize in that at Ranger School and West Point.
Combat in Iraq with live bullets…that’ll scare the crap out of you.
Growing auto jobs in Detroit…through tough times.
Then deploying to the Swamp…well…Washington’s full of crap.
Whenever I get knocked down, I ask God to pick me up.
He never fails.
It’s time for Michigan to get back up. The best is yet to come.”