In the Michigan Senate race, Republican nominee John James remains a long shot against Democratic incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow. But he’s an especially attractive candidate, and the most recent poll shows him just 9 points behind his overwhelmingly favored opponent.

What’s going on here? Some might point to the fierce battle over Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination. But I think the candidate himself is the key here. As a small business owner who illustrates both the history and progress of the American dream, James is also a West Point and Harvard graduate and a combat veteran.