Combat Veteran and Job Creator John James Accepts Six Debates; Stabenow Forced First to Accept First Debate in 12 Years

Press Release

The John James for US Senate campaign accepted six offers from Michigan-based media outlets and organizations to host US Senate debates between James and 43-year career politician Debbie Stabenow. After 12 years, Debbie Stabenow was forced into accepting a debate with combat veteran and job creator John James, once again confirming Debbie Stabenow is in for the fight of her political life. John James campaign manager Tori Sachs called on Debbie Stabenow to stop stalling and accept the remaining five debates that John James has agreed to.

"Sen. Stabenow has run out of excuses and realizes that the voters are demanding she debate John James several times this election. After 43 years of ineffective results and nearly collecting $4 million in taxpayer dollars, Senator Stabenow needs to come clean to voters about why she has only passed 5 bills into law over her 20 years in Washington," said Tori Sachs, John James for Senate campaign manager . "Stabenow needs to stop stalling and accept the 5 remaining debates. She needs to explain her lackluster record of inaction and failed leadership to the voters."

The John James campaign proposed six debates, and now have accepted six offers from media outlets. The Stabenow campaign has agreed to one debate, knowing that.

"Sen. Stabenow has taken almost $4 million from the taxpayers, and needs to defend her record of ineffectiveness before a public audience," Sachs said. "We do not need "weeks" to work out the remaining debates, and the fact that Stabenow is stalling, is just another sign that Stabenow is out-of-touch and checked out."

Debate Offers Accepted By James Campaign

Vietnam Veterans of America, Detroit Chapter 9 & WDIV-Local 4 News & National Reporter Salena Zito (Detroit)
Grand Valley State University/WGVU-TV News (Grand Rapids)
WPBN & WGTU News (Traverse City)
CBS Detroit & Detroit Economic Club (Monday, Oct. 15 -- Detroit)
NABVETS (National Association of Black Veterans), WJR's Frank Beckmann (Metro-Detroit)
WEYI-TV NBC 25 (Flint)

More than a dozen organizations have inquired/invited John James to debate, and in the interest of maximizing exposure, the campaign has asked groups to partner together in the interest of reaching as many voters as possible.

James announced the "1975 Pacer of the Past Stabenow vs. 2019 Dodge Ram of the Future John James" campaign Saturday. Stabenow was first elected to public office in 1975, the same year American Motors introduced America to the Pacer to much fanfare and admiration from the automotive press. The vehicle was introduced to the American people as something different than the status quo. Despite the fanfare from the press and initial hype, the Pacer quickly fell out of favor, and production ceased just five years later, in 1980.

John James defeated businessman and self-funder Sandy Pensler in the August 7th primary with 55% of the vote. James raised nearly $5 million in the primary from over 35,000 grassroots donors who along with the over half a million people who voted for James in the primary, make up his grassroots army, the largest in the country this cycle.

After graduating from West Point in 2004, James became a Ranger-qualified aviation officer. He went on to serve with distinction in Operation Iraqi Freedom, logging over 750 combat flight hours while leading two platoons.

After eight years of service to the nation, James returned to Michigan to work in the family business: James Group International. Currently its President, he has led the company from $35 million to $137 million in revenue while creating 100 additional jobs.

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