U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) must believe Michigan is not Trump territory, as he believes that the president’s endorsement of John James will hurt the military veteran-turned Republican candidate’s chances.
According to Michigan Live:
The freshman senator is one of just two Democrats facing reelection in a state President Donald Trump won in 2016, so Peters’ fate could depend on how Trump fares in Michigan. Trump endorsed GOP challenger John James, adding his name to a recent fundraising email.
“I’m not surprised that President Trump is supporting John James, because John James supports the president 2,000%,” Peters said. “As far as math goes, 2,000% is an awful lot. That means there’s absolutely no daylight between John James and Donald Trump, and that means all of his crazy tweets as well.”
Businessman James was statistically tied with Peters in a March poll of Michigan voters conducted by Emerson College, Michigan Live said.
Peters has been busy riding around on his motorcycle around Michigan to campaign. One of his latest tweets says, “Ever crossed the Mackinac Bridge on a motorcycle? Check out my view as I rode across as part of my annual motorcycle tour!”
Ever crossed the Mackinac Bridge on a motorcycle? Check out my view as I rode across as part of my annual motorcycle tour! pic.twitter.com/wc5omj98sV
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) August 6, 2019
And he tweeted, “And that’s a wrap!
This year’s motorcycle tour was a great success. Thanks to the riders who joined me along the way and to everyone I met with—I enjoyed listening to you and discussing how we can work together to make even more progress for Michiganders.”
And that’s a wrap! 🏍
This year’s motorcycle tour was a great success. Thanks to the riders who joined me along the way and to everyone I met with—I enjoyed listening to you and discussing how we can work together to make even more progress for Michiganders. pic.twitter.com/tbDhrbsG4f
— Senator Gary Peters (@SenGaryPeters) August 9, 2019
Peters may want to spend more time fundraising and less time riding his motorcycle.
The Michigan Star last week reported that the Michigan Democratic Party criticized James for attending an out-of-state fundraiser hosted by a member of President Donald Trump’s finance committee.
James’ campaign has garnered support already, raising more than $1.5 million since he entered the race for Senate. The donations came from nearly 12,000 supporters and averaged $126, according to a statement from the campaign. The campaign also said that 71 percent of the contributions were $50 or less and 88 percent were $100 or less.
“In less than a month, our grassroots army showed its strength and our momentum,” James said in a statement. “Michiganders want change. We’re tired of career politicians failing us without consequence.”
James’ campaign also noted that his fundraising outpaced that of incumbent candidate Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) by 2-to-1 in the second quarter.
Perhaps riding a motorcycle isn’t enough to win re-election.
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Gary Peters Campaign Parade” by Gary Peters and “John James” is by John James.
