Trump backed John James wins Michigan’s GOP Senate nod

Stabenow is seeking a fourth Senate term and has easily fended off past challengers, but Trump’s narrow 2016 victory in Michigan has the GOP hopeful it can flip the seat. (File Photo: Donald J. Trump/Facebook)

DETROIT — Michigan businessman John James, a black Iraq War veteran who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the Republican nomination Tuesday and will take on Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow this fall.

James, a political newcomer, convincingly defeated buyout firm founder Sandy Pensler in the GOP primary. The two traded barbs over their business records, conservative credentials and Trump, who swung his support behind James more than a week before the election.

Stabenow is seeking a fourth Senate term and has easily fended off past challengers, but Trump’s narrow 2016 victory in Michigan has the GOP hopeful it can flip the seat.

“Washington has enough career politicians,” James said in a news release after his victory. “We need people who have experience getting results. You aren’t going to get results from a 43-year career politician. Debbie Stabenow better get ready for the fight of her political life.”

James, 37, of Farmington Hills, has been highlighting his business credentials and military service. The West Point graduate flew Apache helicopters in combat and led two platoons during the Iraq War. After being honourably discharged, he joined his father’s Detroit-based group of companies: James Group International Inc. He is CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics, which ships supplier parts to auto factories around the world.

James is Michigan’s first black Republican nominee for a major statewide office in more than three decades, but he has said he only wants to be assessed on his character.

When Pensler entered the race, he had the financial advantage after loaning his campaign $5 million. But James, who gave his campaign $50,000, has made up ground, raising $3.9 million as of the end of June while securing endorsements from Right to Life, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Senate Conservatives Fund. Entering July, he had $1.3 million cash on hand compared to Pensler’s $2.3 million. Stabenow, who faces no primary challenger, had $9.6 million in the bank.