John James, the charismatic black Republican who came oh-so-close to capturing a Michigan Senate seat last year, has launched a political action committee as he plots the next move of a political career that could include a run for governor in 2022.
James suffered back-to-back losses in Senate campaigns over the past four years, falling to incumbent Democrats Debbie Stabenow, by 6.5 percentage points in 2018, and Gary Peters, by just 1.7 points in 2020. But the 39-year-old Army combat veteran of the Iraq War and CEO of a family-owned logistics firm in Detroit, is coming back for more. He has not ruled out another campaign, for Congress or the governor’s mansion, and has unveiled a leadership PAC.
“Mission First; People Always” is not a super PAC; donations are limited to $5,000 per individual per calendar year. But the organization is backed by a donor list of more than 300,000 supporters that James built up over two Senate campaigns, including his second bid, which caught the attention of conservatives across the country, raising $48.8 million. James is planning to put that list to work for endorsed candidates in Michigan and nationwide.
“Our leaders must be bold, stand on our principles, and take action,” he said in a statement. “I look forward to supporting candidates who will forge ahead into all corners of America with a spirit of service and sacrifice.”
REPUBLICANS VYING FOR MISSOURI SENATE SEAT JOCKEY FOR TRUMP ENDORSEMENT
Despite losing twice, James impressed Republican insiders in his home state and in Washington. He has an impressive resume, a compelling personal story, an infectious personality, and a photogenic young family. Running for Senate in Michigan in 2018 was a tall order. The midterm election unfolded as a rebuke of former President Donald Trump, sweeping Democrats into power in the House. Of the 40 House seats Democrats flipped that year, two covered portions of suburban Detroit.
Two years later, when James lost again, he outperformed Trump at the top of the ticket by nearly 0.5% as the 45th president proceeded to lose to President Joe Biden.
In launching a PAC, James is following the well-worn path of other Republicans who find themselves without a political platform but want to stay relevant. Raising money from his list of grassroots supporters and donating to Republicans running in 2022, Biden’s first midterm election, could keep James in the public eye and forge closer ties with GOP power brokers. That activity could foster another political campaign, possibly a successful one.
Republican sources say James is being recruited to challenge Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, or to consider a House bid. However, Republicans familiar with James’s thinking say the PAC is important to him because he wants to help candidates like himself — those with “real-world” experience, such as in business or the military, who might be mounting their first campaign and lack the connections and a donor base needed to compete effectively.
