HEADACHES OR HICCUPS

Congressman John James (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills, Shelby Township, most of Macomb County) is suddenly transitioning from Republican darling to potential albatross. The two-time congressman had been welcomed by U.S. House Leader Mike Johnson’s (R-LA) as a fellow traveler, promoted at Johnson’s western retreat and was one of a select few to renominate him for Speaker of the House. Reportedly against White House and congressional requests to maintain his House seat, James is leaving it to run for governor in 2026 – the House seat is being targeted by Democrats to flip. While James had believed he would be anointed by President Trump, at a bill signing in June, Trump took a dig at the congressman for leaving the seat vulnerable. “John James. I don’t know. You know, he’s running for governor, but I’m not sure I’m happy about that, John,” Trump said. According to several Michigan Republicans, neither are they. James is running in his fifth race in as many cycles, and “there is real James fatigue. He only spent one term in Congress, and then he’s spending this term running for governor.” Several Democrats have announced for James’ 10th Congressional District seat, but no Republicans – yet. The secret being whispered is that Michael Bouchard, Jr., of Rochester Hills, son of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, who was until recently in the military, is strongly considering jumping into the race. As for GOP candidates for other open seats, like Haley Steven’s current 11th District congressional seat, and Mallory McMorrow and Jeremy Moss’ state Senate seats? According to a knowledgeable local Republican, “The only people who want to run are right wing ideologues, not because they think they can win – no one is that delusional – but because they want to espouse the ‘message,’” he said. “It is pointless to get candidates to run for these seats, which I think will skew heavily to Democrats, just like in 2018, because independents are very unhappy with Trump, and that isn’t going to change with the midterms.”

John James