Senate challenger John James apologizes for swastika in ad

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Screen still taken from John James YouTube ad.

Don't blink or you might miss it.  Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate John James admits even he missed it at first - and it is his ad. 

"I need to fess up and admit this was a terrible accident on our part, we should have caught this error and we didn't," James said. "And there is no excuse."

A symbol of hatred, portrayed in the middle of a John James for senate political ad.  It's been airing just like this on TV for some time and up until recently has been spreading the message John James endorses. He even says so at the end. 

At the 10 second mark of the ad - on what appears to be a school hallway bulletin board is a swastika.

"It was stock footage and I'm not making any excuse," he said. "I stood up there and you have the disclaimer that we have to say for the FCC that I am John James and I approve this message. I do not approve of hatred or bigotry in any form."

It happens so fast, unless its pointed out to you it’s likely you'll miss it. But it was pointed out and John James held a news conference to address it. 

"I was taught by excellent leaders, the best of which being my mom and dad. to do the right thing even when it's hard," James said.

As you would imagine, the Democrats had something to say about the ad as well. FOX 2 spoke to the chairman of the Democratic party of Michigan, Brandon Dillon. 

"I don't think John James is somebody who would gravitate towards something so awful," Dillon said. "But unfortunately he has wrapped himself around Donald Trump and with that comes all the baggage associated with it."

James has run his campaign tied to the policies of Trump. In fact, an upcoming John James rally will feature Donald Trump Jr. as a guest here in metro Detroit. 

"I don't think anybody would even be talking about this or trying to speculate why it's there if we didn't have President Trump in office who spent the last two years cozying up to white supremacists and people who have used that symbol of hate as a rallying cry," Dillon said.

James isn't looking to cast blame for the symbol of hate appearing in his ad, he says it’s on him. 

"I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen again," he said.

As for the ad going forward?  He has no intention of pulling the ad but rather saying it will be phased out naturally in favor of a new one. with a different message.