Capitol News

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John James said that incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters "lacks leadership" and has "failed" his constituents. 

James, a military veteran and businessman, spoke about how he believes Peters has fallen short on "The Frank Beckmann Show."

"He can't open his mouth without talking about his role in FEMA or his role as ranking member of Homeland Security, but yet after running in 2014 during the Ebola pandemic, with a bipartisan report that was presented of 33 recommendations, only two being filled, and then he down plays the epidemic in February 2020. That's not leadership. That's not showing up for work, and as a result we are vulnerable," James told Beckmann.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters | Sen. Gary Peters' website

James said the country wasn't ready for the pandemic, which has resulted in the loss of countless lives and a damaging economic impact. He believes Peters dropped the ball.

"He said that he's holding China accountable, but he skipped 89% of the meetings," James said on the radio show. 

James believes the country needs more effective leadership and someone who can make decisions to protect Americans and deliver results, not just someone who shows up during an election year to get votes.

"Michigan has the opportunity to select change, to get rid of the status quo, to have somebody who's actually taken care of people's lives and gotten results," James told Beckmann.

James said his record proves he can do just that, not just in the military when he brought his cohorts home from overseas, but also in the business world, where he grew a company and created jobs as the state was starting to recover from one of the worst recessions.

James, a black Republican, said he has experienced racism in his life, but his parents raised him to keep pushing forward.

James is running for U.S. Senate in Michigan for the second time. He was previously defeated by U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat.