FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 31, 2026
Contact: Alyvia Bailey
alyvia@johnjamesmi.com
ICYMI: JAMES RALLIES MICHIGAN REPUBLICANS, TAKES MICHIGAN’S COMEBACK MESSAGE NATIONAL
SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI — Republican nominee for Governor John James spent the weekend building momentum on the ground in Michigan and taking his message for the state’s future to a national audience.
On Saturday morning, James joined U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, Congressman Bill Huizenga, and Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt in South Haven to rally volunteers before they hit the doors and talked directly with voters.
The event brought together Republicans from across West Michigan around a shared mission: defeat Democrats in November, end years of failed leadership in Lansing, and deliver common sense results for Michigan families.
Yesterday morning, James took Michigan’s comeback message national, joining CBS News’ Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan to lay out the stakes of the November election and his vision for turning Michigan around. Brennan falsely claimed that the Benson El-Sayed ticket was distancing from radicals who said America deserved 9-11, John James made the contrast clear.
“Michigan is ground zero for this republic in this next election. We need to make sure that we stop socialism and that we save the state of Michigan because if we don’t do it here, it’s going to go to the rest of the country.”
— John James
James pushed back on attempts to blame Washington for Michigan’s struggles, pointing to the state’s poor rankings after years of Democrat leadership in Lansing.
“There are 45 states doing better than Michigan and we all have the same president.”
— John James
James pointed to Michigan ranking 42nd in infrastructure, 43rd in the economy, 45th in education, and 46th overall.
The appearance came one day after Michigan Democrats struggled to project unity at their poorly attended state convention, underscoring the growing divide within their party.
While Democrats remain divided, James made clear Republicans reject antisemitism, racism, socialism, and hateful division and welcome everyone who believes in a stronger, safer, more prosperous Michigan.
The momentum continues today as John James will take the stage in Sterling Heights ahead of Vice President JD Vance’s visit to Michigan.
With just over two months until Election Day, Republicans are united and building the grassroots movement to defeat Democrats, end the dysfunction in Lansing, and fix Michigan.
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