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DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 7: John James, Michigan GOP Senate candidate, speaks at an election night event after winning his primary election at his business James Group International August 7th, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. James, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, will face Democrat incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in November. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
Michigan Congressman John James gave an interesting endorsement of former President Donald Trump after publicly chiding him last year.
This is a major departure from James’ previous feelings about the former president, particularly after Trump called for the termination of the U.S Constitution in December of last year.
“A man who would suspend the Constitution can’t be trusted,” James said at the time, according to Insider. “Anyone who will put their egos over people is not fit to lead.”
Still, it does not come as a complete surprise that the lawmaker has changed his tune, as many GOP members have already given their support to Trump’s bid for a second term. James’ early endorsement of Trump is also eyebrow-raising as it is not clear what the former president’s campaign will truly center on. However, the GOP has hung its hat on his far-right values as evidence of his capacity to once again lead the country. “It’s the fact that we are six months worse off under the Biden administration,” James said about his endorsement.
Michigan is a swing state; therefore, Republicans like James may find it difficult to sway support Trump’s way. The largest cities in the state are still home to some of the largest Black populations in the nation, who hold historically Democratic values and often vote in their own best interests. James’s early endorsement of the former president is also of interest as in his two races for a Senate seat, he’s leaned more progressive in an effort to separate himself from the polarizing beliefs of other GOP candidates.
Source: Black Enterprise
