It’s becoming a seat the Republicans feel they can steal and the Democrats need to hold on to, John James and Debbie Stabenow held their first debate in Grand Rapids Sunday afternoon.
For the past 18 years, Clare native Senator Stabenow has been able to hold off Republican opponents and sit as one of Michigan’s two senators. This time her competition is an outsider, an army veteran and businessman John James.
Many people are hoping for, or expecting, a major Blue Wave to cut through Congress across the country but here in Michigan it’s a race Republicans are circling, thinking they can steal from the Democrats with newcomer James up against the incumbent Stabenow.
“We don’t need more lip service.” says James, “We don’t need more talking. We need more action.”
It’s becoming a common sight in politics, the newcomer taking on the establishment. That was on display Sunday in the first debate between James and Stabenow. The Senator standing on her record the last 18 years in Washington DC.
“And support those efforts that will allow us to be able to do what we need to do to cover Northern Michigan, as well as southern Michigan,” says Stabenow.
James came in attacking that record, at times putting the incumbent on the defensive. As a political rookie, James doesn’t have a record for Stabenow to reference.
“For me it’s about being positive about myself and talking about my own record,” says Stabenow, “The extent to where our differences are because of the things he said publicly, so I know there are differences.”
As many new candidates do, James repeatedly stressed he would be a new voice in Washington, not tied to political sides.
“I quite frankly, I’m not going to fit into somebody’s Red box or Blue box,” says James, “I’m an American and I’m going to prioritize that.”
Once again it comes down to what people want going forward, a person who has no ties to a political career or a person who has the experience working in the quagmire of Washington DC.
“The reality is this is not the moment for inexperience,” says Stabenow, “This is the moment for folks to have relationships, to have experience and seniority.”
“I fear she will say anything to get reelected so why should we believe her now?” says James.
The two of only committed to one more debate before Election Day with the next being Monday afternoon in Detroit.
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