Republican John James seeks to distance himself from Trump during Michigan gubernatorial debate

Republican Rep. John James sought to shine some light between himself and President Donald Trump on Tuesday as he debated his opponent in the Michigan gubernatorial race.

Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state, repeatedly tried to link James to Trump during the hour-long standoff, saying he had failed to stand up to Trump and would not do so as governor.

James, who was boosted by Trump’s support during his Republican primary campaign, highlighted the Iran war and tariff policy as issues on which he has disagreements with Trump.

“I’ve stood up to the president many times. I’ve said I can agree with the president without worshiping him. I can disagree without attacking him, and I’ve always put Michigan first,” James said.

James said he believed the conflict in Iran must end “quickly, like yesterday”, echoing comments he made last month. James, who voted against several House resolutions aimed at ending the war in Iran, also said he wanted to “use every check and balance we have to bring this war to a speedy conclusion.”

His comments during his first debate with Benson in the key battleground state come as polls show voters nationwide continue to sour over Trump’s handling of the Iran war and the cost of living as the midterm elections approach.

Benson attacked James for voting against Iran war powers resolutions while blaming the conflict on high gas prices.

“I’m having trouble with this vote,” James said of votes on war powers resolutions. “I’m a veteran. I’ve been to war. She didn’t go to war. I understand what war means, and so I voted to protect the troops and fund them when they were in danger.”

Benson noted that her husband served in the military.

“Military spouses serve too, Congressman,” she said.

Benson sought to tie James to Trump’s tariff agenda, saying she dubs them the “John James tax,” while James said he pushed back against the Trump administration’s tariffs against Canada.

“I actually called out the administration specifically, speaking with the trade ambassador and saying that we need to come back to the table, stop acting like children, and negotiate a reciprocal, fair, mutually beneficial arrangement to ensure that we can bring back our jobs and protect our industry,” James said.

James, who promised in July to “support law enforcement, end sanctuary city policies” and “cooperate with federal immigration authorities to deport criminal illegal immigrants,” appeared to soften that stance Tuesday, saying he saw no need for an ICE presence in Michigan.

“We’re going to cooperate with federal law enforcement as well as our communities. We’re going to make sure we prioritize violent offenders and we’re going to make sure we enforce the law,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t believe we’re going to need ICE in the state of Michigan because we’re going to be enforcing the law.”

James attempted to tie Benson’s record to that of term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Asked by moderator Rick Albin of NBC affiliate WOOD of Grand Rapids to highlight a decision about which Whitmer failed to listen to Michiganders, Benson did not cite a specific policy but said, “Where I think we need to listen to people…is a way to improve our Department of Health and Human Services.”

The candidates also clashed over data centers, amid a growing public backlash against them, with each accusing the other of profiting from them. Benson accused James of voting for pro-data center policies while owning stock there, and James accused Benson’s family of profiting from the construction of a center. Benson denied his family profited, while James said all the data center-related stocks he owned were held in large mutual funds.

Michigan’s nationally watched Senate race, in which Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed is running against former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, was not held Tuesday. Republicans in particular have been keen to link El-Sayed, a progressive, to other Democratic candidates in competitive races.

Neither candidate mentioned this race or attempted to link the other to either Senate candidate.

Democrats are seeking to keep Michigan’s governorship in their party’s hands after Whitmer’s two terms. Trump carried the state by just over a percentage point in the 2024 presidential election. NBC News characterizes the race as leaning toward the Democrats.

Benson and James are scheduled to debate again on October 15.