A local newspaper reporter in Michigan lamented the idea of Republican candidate John James winning his Senate race in a profanity-laden voicemail with James’ campaign.
Brenda Battel, a reporter for the Huron Daily Tribune, called Monday to set up an interview with James for after the midterm elections to discuss the results and, after what appears to be a failed attempt to end the call, said, “Man, if he beats her … Jesus.”
“Fucking John James,” Battel said in audio shared online. “That would suck! I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
The audio was uploaded to YouTube and was initially reported by the Daily Caller. The Huron Daily Tribune has not released any statement and did not immediately return calls for comment.
“It shows you that some media will do anything to keep the status quo and career politicians in power,” James’s campaign manager Tori Sachs told the Daily Caller. “The liberal media can’t stand the idea of a job creator and combat veteran coming to Washington to shake up the system. This happened as we closed in within the margin of error.”
The Huron Daily Tribune is owned by Hearst Communications. Hearst did not immediately return a call for comment. Battel also did not return a request for comment.
James currently trails Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow by 7 points, according to a Mitchell Research & Communications poll published Monday.
