(FOX 2) - Republican John James made a campaign stop in Grosse Pointe as the days toward the 2026 election dwindle into its final stretch.
The event was alongside Grosse Pointe parents and students on Mack Avenue Monday afternoon, including with one parent who is suing the school district over teachers displaying rainbow flags in classrooms.
James made his pitch with just over three weeks until the midterm election. His opponent Democrat Jocelyn Benson also made campaign stops in Metro Detroit over the weekend.
James pushes parental rights in schools
Local perspective:
Shane Pruitt sued the Grosse Pointe Public Schools after the district issued a trespassing notice against him when he posted video of rainbow flags hung inside a middle school.
After spending time looking for a lawyer, the John James campaign put Pruitt in touch with a constitutional law attorney before suing the district.
Both Pruitt and Briley Lechner, a Grosse Pointe volleyball athlete spoke, during at James' event on Monday.
"(James) has the courage to speak up for us and other female athletes. I appreciate his commitment for protecting the rights and future in girls' sports," Lechner said.
Big picture view:
While parental rights and transgender students were the focus of the event on Monday, James said it was not the "centerpiece" of his education plan.
"The centerpiece of my education agenda is the kids," he said.
He said the Michigan State Board of Education and its superintendents were not accountable to the government. He pitched making sure parents had more money to get resources to their kids.
That would happen with the education freedom tax credit, which takes effect in 2027. Parents may claim up to $1,700 tax credit on their own or $3,400 jointly, according to the U.S. Education Department.
States must opt into the program before parents can apply.
Benson responds
The other side:
"Just so Michigan voters are tracking: John James is holding a press conference advocating for politicians in classrooms and sports instead of explaining how he plans to make life more affordable for Michigan families. Maybe that’s because his record speaks for itself. He voted six times on measures supporting the war with Iran as gas prices climbed toward $5 a gallon, and he backed tariffs that have saddled Michigan families with the $6,400 John James Tax. Now he wants to change the subject. Michiganders deserve answers about their bills, not this weird political stunt," said Benson Deputy Campaign Manager Alyssa Bradley.
2026 Michigan Governors Race
Zoom out:
James and Benson are in a tight race for governor. The election pits a Republican U.S. Congressman against the Michigan Secretary of State. While the race has not gotten as much visibility as the state's U.S. Senate campaign, it is counted among a key race for Michigan.
The state has been governed under a ‘trifecta’ of Democrats in statewide office for eight years. While the legislature has been more divided, Democrats have held seats in the Secretary of State, Attorney General, and governor's house the past two terms.
Benson and James clashed for the first time at a debate in Grand Rapids on Oct. 6.
They discussed data centers, Medicaid funding, gas prices, and the state income tax.
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Key takeaways from Michigan Governor Debate
FOX 2 was in Grand Rapids covering the Governor Debate between John James and Jocelyn Benson.
The Source: A John James event was cited for this story.