And here we are.

Well, I would say there's no such thing as a safe seat because the seat doesn't belong to me.

The seat belongs to the people of the state of Michigan.

First, I want to say I appreciate you having me on and having an honest conversation.

I think the first thing I would do is I would opt into the Education Freedom Tax Credit.

And for those who aren't familiar, that's $1,700 per child to be able to send your child, whether it be safest or most successful, be able to take scholarship money from foundations and such.

to be able to help with reading or be able to help with tutoring or be able to help with school supplies that people are struggling with i was over at o'brien park over on the east side uh passing out backpacks and diapers with uh with some friends of my eyes where there's a couple other guys and there are people who are coming up for backpacks that they needed for back to school uh with their families you wouldn't need that if the governor opted in on day one to give parents the resource that they needed so that that's a day one thing And these are things that 30 states have already opted into, but Michigan isn't because our governor is refusing to.

Are you going to other areas, urban areas, Pontiac, Flint, Saginaw?

What do you think when you heard that?

Well, I laugh because the president has a great sense of humor.

He understands how important all these races are, but he also understands how important the top of the ticket is.

And Michigan is the center of the universe in 2026.

Not only do we have an open gubernatorial seat that flips back and forth from Democrat to Republican every time we've had the opportunity since 1982, and now we're due for a Republican seat.

We also have an open Senate seat.

We also have three House seats that are up for grabs.

That's all of us.

Your take?

Well, I would say that, my goodness, why would we limit the options that we're providing our children to? Why would we limit the choices that we're giving our parents? I believe that a quality education is a basic civil right.

And anyone who gets in the way of that, frankly, is going to have a problem with me when I become governor.

I believe in doing everything that we can to help our parents to send their children what would be safest and most successful.

And opting into the education freedom tax credit is something I'm going to do on day one.

1.5 million K-12 students, 1.5 million.

are eligible for these federally generated privately funded scholarships.

As you said, Congressman John James, now gubernatorial candidate to Congressman John James, quote, if Michigan does not opt in, that money goes to Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee, the same states Michigan families are moving to.

Your take?

Well, I would say that, my goodness, why would we limit the options that we're providing our children with? Why would we limit the choices that we're giving our parents? I believe that a quality education is a basic civil right.

And anyone who gets in the way of that, frankly, is going to have a problem with me when I become governor.

I believe in doing everything that we can to help our parents to send their children where they'll be safest and most successful.

And opting into the education freedom tax credit is something I'm going to do on day one.

1.5 million K-12 students, 1.5 million.

are eligible for these federally generated privately funded scholarships.

As you said, Congressman John James, now gubernatorial candidate to Congressman John James, quote, if Michigan does not opt in, that money goes to Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee, the same states Michigan families are moving to.

I wonder if you agree with what appears to be a switch away from military force towards economic sanctions, and do you think your constituents deserve more of an explanation from the administration as to what they're doing?

I, I believe very strongly when people say, "Death to America," we should take them at their word.

I graduated West Point in the class of 2004, and we took our oath of affirmation knowing that we would go to war, and as a result, the class of 2004 suffered the most casualties of any service academy, uh, since Vietnam.

We understand the cost of war.

We hate war, and we want to use every method, diplomatic or economic, to make sure that we keep Americans safe and we keep our young, uh, military members out of war.

I applaud the administration's effort to make sure that Iran has no nukes so they cannot threaten America and our allies.

I applaud the administration's efforts to use every resource at their disposal to pursue peace, and these are the types of things that, uh, that, that our people want.

Mm-hmm.

Mm

... or nine, um, when, you know, as I'm getting older and, and it's around that time that you actually start to make friends in school.

Not everyone is just best friends with one another.

You know, friends come over to the house, you go to friends' houses.

Um, and that, that is when they started to, to really talk about, "This is just different.

Not everyone chooses to participate in this." And they talked...

They didn't use the word consent, I'm putting it into adult language, but alluded to the fact that consent in nudity and, and participation is really important.

Yeah.

And you've always fought the good fight, John James.

Yeah, Rita, thank you so much for having me on.

It's been absolutely incredible.

We just had a big victory this past week.

in the primary, and we won by over 50 points, by over 50, and beat our next closest competitor by double digits because people are rejecting the politics of violent division, and they want strong Republican leadership that's going to be focusing on ending socialism, saving Michigan, focusing on excellent schools, safer communities, and affordable living.

I did just leave Temple Israel with Steve Scalise and a number of congressional leaders And that would have been the sites of one of America's most devastating terror attacks if we didn't serve a God of miracles.

And let me tell you a little bit about Temple Israel.

Congressman James.

And you've always fought the good fight, John James.

Yeah, Rita, thank you so much for having me on.

It's been absolutely incredible.

We just had a big victory this past week in the primary, and we won by over 50 points, by over 50, and beat our next closest competitor by double digits because people are rejecting the politics of violent division, and they want strong Republican leadership that's going to be focusing on politics.

Ending socialism, saving Michigan, focusing on excellent schools, safer communities, and affordable living.

I did just leave Temple Israel with Steve Scalise and a number of congressional leaders.

And that would have been the site of one of America's most devastating terror attacks if we didn't serve a God of miracles.

But until that time, I think we're still not going to be considered as being as vigilant about stopping this as we should be.

And you've always fought the good fight, John James.

Yeah, Rita, thank you so much for having me on.

It's been absolutely incredible.

We just had a big victory this past week.

in the primary, and we won by over 50 points, by over 50, and beat our next closest competitor by double digits, because people are rejecting the politics of violent division, and they want strong Republican leadership that's going to be focusing on ending socialism, saving Michigan, focusing on excellent schools, safer communities, and affordable living.

I did just leave Temple Israel with Steve Scalise and a number of congressional leaders, and that was a would have been the sites of one of America's most devastating terror attacks if we didn't serve a God of miracles.

And let me tell you a little bit about Temple Israel.

But until that time, I think we're still not going to be considered as being as vigilant about stopping this as we should be.

So, you know, when you become governor, what would you do to change that?

Well, on day one, what I'm going to do is opt in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit that gives parents the resources to pay for things like books and for tutoring for those who might need a little bit more assistance.

Right now, Governor Whitmer has not opted in, and I think that's wrong.

Other states are benefiting from this plan that was passed last year, and I think Michigan should as well.

We hear a lot about the Mississippi miracle, and I'm going to take that seriously.

My parents are both from the Jim Crow South, Mississippi specifically, and they came to Michigan for better educational opportunities And right now it looks like if we don't change trajectory, our children may have to leave to find it for, for theirs.

Um, we already have in the state of Michigan.

What are you going to do to help solve that? How do you make that easier for an entrepreneur or for a person just trying to build a new home?

So, you know, when you become governor, what would you do to change that?

Well, on day one, what I'm going to do is opt in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit that gives parents the resources to pay for things like books and for tutoring for those who might need a little bit more assistance.

Right now, Governor Whitmer has not opted in, and I think that's wrong.

Other states are benefiting from this plan that was passed last year, and I think Michigan should as well.

We hear a lot about the Mississippi miracle, and I'm going to take that seriously.

My parents are both from the Jim Crow South, Mississippi specifically, and they came to Michigan for better educational opportunities And right now it looks like if we don't change trajectory, our children may have to leave to find it for theirs.

We already have in the state of Michigan the answers.

What are you going to do to help solve that? How do you make that easier for an entrepreneur or for a person just trying to build a new home?

So, you know, when you become governor, what would you do to change that?

Well, on day one, what I'm going to do is opt in to the Education Freedom Tax Credit that gives parents the resources to pay for things like books and for tutoring for those who might need a little bit more assistance.

Right now, Governor Whitmer has not opted in, and I think that's wrong.

Other states are benefiting from this plan that was passed last year, and I think Michigan should as well.

We hear a lot about the Mississippi miracle, and I'm going to take that seriously.

My parents are both from the Jim Crow South, Mississippi specifically, and they came to Michigan for better educational opportunities And right now it looks like if we don't change trajectory, our children may have to leave to find it for theirs.

We already have in the state of Michigan the answers.

What are you going to do to help solve that? How do you make that easier for an entrepreneur or for a person just trying to build a new home?

Um, uh, uh, do you feel that that's a strong ticket? Do you feel like you'll be able to pull in more Republican support or Independent support, moderate support, uh, from that ticket?

Yeah, of course.

I mean, especially because the problems that Michiganders are facing are real.

Uh, we're 42nd infrastructure.

We're 43rd from our economic standpoint.

Our schools are 45th in the nation.

Our entire state is 46th overall.

How will you respond when you agree with the President and when Michigan's interests may require you to disagree?

Do you feel that that's a strong ticket? Do you feel like you'll be able to pull in more Republican support or independent support, moderate support from that ticket?

Yeah, of course.

I mean, especially because the problems that Michiganders are facing are real.

We're a 42nd infrastructure.

We're 43rd from our economic standpoint.

Our schools are 45th in the nation.

Our entire state is 46th overall.

And, you know, when Michigan voters compare John James and Jocelyn Benson, what is the single question you want them to ask themselves before they cast that ballot?

Is that gonna be a, a, a big focus of your campaign between now and November 3rd?

Huge.

We're gonna be focusing on affordability, and specifically looking at the cost of healthcare, the cost of housing, the cost of energy that's skyrocketing because of the self-owns and self-inflicted wounds out of Lansing.

Look, everybody and the Democrats wants to blame President Trump, but Michigan is 46th overall in the entire country out of 50 states.

Our education's 45th.

Our economy is 43rd.

Our infrastructure is 42nd.

What do you think?

Um, what are those plans? What is the top of the agenda for you? And, and I'm, I'm also wondering just what you can speak to with regard to the state of the Michigan economy right now and what you would do to take it either to the next level or to help it recover or whatever you think i- the proper description would be.

Yeah.

Uh, focus on keeping number one, number one, and that's on the people of the state of Michigan.

Economic development is more about flesh and blood than it is about brick and mortar.

Focusing on things to increase affordability, specifically lowering taxes, lowering regulations, and those are gonna help lower healthcare costs, lower energy costs, lower housing costs.

Also, focus on safer streets, not only holding activist judges, DAs, and prosecutors accountable for allowing violent criminals back out on the street, but holding those violent criminals accountable, keeping them behind bars, and making sure that we prioritize the rights of victims over the feelings of these convicts and criminals.

And then finally, excellent schools.

What are your voters in Michigan saying about this, and do you find that it is an entry point to talking to people that might not be traditional Republican voters?

Um, what are those plans? What is the top of the agenda for you? And, and I'm, I'm also wondering just what you can speak to with regard to the state of the Michigan economy right now, and what you would do to take it either to the next level or to help it recover, or whatever you think i- the proper description would be.

Yeah.

Uh, focus on keeping number one, number one, and that's on the people of the state of Michigan.

Economic development is more about flesh and blood than it is about brick and mortar.

Focusing on things to increase affordability, specifically lowering taxes, lowering regulations, and those are gonna help lower healthcare costs, lower energy costs, lower housing costs.

Also, focus on safer streets, not only holding activist judges, DAs, and prosecutors accountable for allowing violent criminals back out on the street, but holding those violent criminals accountable, keeping them behind bars, and making sure that we prioritize the rights of victims over the feelings of these convicts and criminals.

And then finally, excellent schools.

What are your voters in Michigan saying about this, and do you find that it is an entry point to talking to people that might not be traditional Republican voters?

Look, the

choice is clear in November.

We offer freedom, they offer socialism.

We offer change, they offer continued decline.

We offer common sense, they offer crazy.

But we shouldn't underestimate the pain and desperation making false promises sound like hope.

We have to show a different way.

Give me one thing.

I, It's sad that we've come to that point in this business.

Well, you know who someone is by their fruit.

You know who someone is by their behavior.

And behavior doesn't lie.

If that's the kind of leader that you want, someone who will spew toxicity, someone who will sow disunity, then you have your options.

But if you want somebody who understands what it takes to bring people together, to accomplish tough missions, If you want somebody who understands what it takes to unify people, one team, one fight, then I'm your guy.

I'm someone who's went to combat and brought people together from different races, colors, and creeds to accomplish missions.

Seems to

Well, you know who

someone is by their fruit.

You know who someone is by their behavior.

And behavior doesn't lie.

If that's the kind of leader that you want, someone who will spew toxicity, someone who will sow disunity, then you have your options.

But if you want somebody who understands what it takes to bring people together, to accomplish tough missions, If you want somebody who understands what it takes to unify people, one team, one fight, then I'm your guy.

I'm someone who's went to combat and brought people together from different races, colors, and creeds to accomplish missions.

Seems to make a lot of sense to me,

But what did you mean when you made that comment? Do you feel it's been taken out of context during the campaign?

I mean exactly what I said.

I mean that nobody owns me.

I was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, and I'm indebted to the people of this state who've helped create the dream that allowed my parents to be able to give us a life that they had to move from the Jim Crow South to find.

But my children, because the trajectory that's been set by Gretchen Whitmer, might have to leave to find success.

And I'm saying that for the 8,000 people who've supported me all over the state and the 22,000 people who've supported us all over the country, This is something that they see.

They share the vision of a Michigan where our children have hope.

How do you achieve that as governor?

Welcome, John James.

Hey, Tony, thanks for having me on.

I really appreciate the opportunity to speak.

The Maha movement is extremely important to me, which is the reason why I'm incorporating a number of tenants as I'm running for governor to help make Michigan healthy again.

The way to increase quality of life and the way to decrease cost of living is to have healthier Michiganders.

This is something I believe very strongly in and something that I haven't wasted any time doing something about.

I'm very proud that I was able to support my friend Anna Paulina Luna's amendment to the most recent Farm Bill to remove protections from organizations that shielded pesticide producers from liability.

So thanks so much for coming on.

But what, what did you mean when you made that comment? Do you feel it's been taken out of context during the campaign?

I meant exactly what I said.

I mean that nobody owns me.

I was bought by the blood of Jesus Christ, and I'm indebted to the people of this state who helped create the dream that allowed my parents to be able to, uh, give us a life that, uh, they had to move from the Jim Crow South to find.

But my children, because w- the trajectory that's been set by Gretchen Whitmer, might have to leave to find success.

And I'm saying that for the 8,000 people who've supported me all over the state and the 22,000 people who've supported us all over the country, uh, this is something that, uh, that they see.

They share the vision of a Michigan where our children have hope.

How do you achieve that as governor?

So it's, uh, putting his head on a pike is being honest with the, with the American people? He's gonna focus as a Michigan senator on a senator from Pennsylvania, also in a purple state? How do you feel about that, Congressman John James?

So Marxism, uh, as we know, using socialism as slow march, ac- accelerating march toward communism, and we understand that communism has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people just in the past hundred years.

Um, marching toward this, uh, is frankly is terrifying on its own, but it's even more terror- terrifying when you realize that the enemy is not at the gate, the enemy is inside the house.

Uh, this, this Marxist ideology, this, this, this, uh, swing towards socialism is a pure, a c- a, a clear and present danger and threat to Michigan and to the United States of America.

Uh, we absolutely have to recognize what this threat means, and Republicans have always answered the call.

At first, we were founded to end slavery and hold this nation together, and now we're being called to end socialism and hold this nation together.

But we have to answer the call.

Are you worried about, uh, losing the House and Senate?

What can be done? Can they do something about this? Can we help them do something about this?

Yes.

Number one, continue to fight these things as partners.

We also have some gaps in the state of Michigan.

We have, because of the ice storms of the past couple of years, we have dry timber, limbs that are down, and we have risk here.

As governor, I'm going to be taking Michigan's health, Michigan's beauty, and Michigan's environment very, very seriously.

And so having their help there.

So the president even talking about Detroit, Michigan and the entire state, really.