James outlines some goals in congressional position
Selfridge, energy issues, inflation among his top priorities
Congressman-elect John James will focus on supporting Selfridge Air National Guard Base, attracting more federal contracts to Macomb County and addressing energy-related problems, among other things, during his first term.
Republican James, 41, of Farmington Hills, narrowly defeated Democrat Carl Marlinga earlier this month for a two-year term for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 10th District that covers most of Macomb County and a section of eastern Oakland County. He
takes office Jan. 1.
James also said he will fulfill his campaign promise to move into the district but would not reveal the location or time-frame.
James vowed he will veer from partisan politics and instead will seek to improve the state of the 10th District and nation.
“I’m excited to get started,” he said in an interview. “My first priority won’t be on in-fighting or bickering” but working with colleagues to address issues.
James, who flew helicopters for the Army, said he will join efforts among other state and regional leaders for Selfridge to attract a planned training center for F-35 fighter jets as well as maintain its fleet of A-10 Warthog aircraft. He mentioned the ongoing effort to retro-fit the A-10s with new wings. Air Force officials have been wanting to begin replacing the aging fleet of A-10s, which provide “close air support” to troops.
“I’ve been hearing some very disturbing rumblings about where Selfridge is heading,” that it won’t get the F-35 training center if it does get the new refueling tanker aircraft, James said. “Selfridge is a crown jewel. We have to protect it.”
SANG, located in Harrison Township, in 2017 was passed over as the location for the F-35s, losing to locations in Alabama and Wisconsin.
James pointed out that despite a concentration of military defense contractors in Warren and Sterling Heights, the amount of federal contracts in the county is $3 billion less than it should be.
Giving credence to the area’s past as the Arsenal of Democracy, he said the county should play a significant role in outfitting the military for years to come, particularly in the rising segments of cyber and hypersonic warfare.
“The nature of war is changing,” he said. “We have the talent and the infrastructure and the manufacturing to be a hub of the defense industry for our nation.”
Regarding the war initiated by Russia on Ukraine, James expressed support for the United State’s support of Ukraine in the form of money and equipment.
“I absolutely believe we must stand by our allies,” he said.
While supporting the military and “a commitment to our allies,” he said he wants to monitor spending the Pentagon to protect taxpayer dollars.
“We must make sure to keep communism at bay and make sure we are spending wisely,” he said.
He said to combat inflation in the long term, the nation must reduce its reliance on other countries with “human rights problems” for supplies, especially for materials for electric vehicles.
“We have to make it more palatable to do business right here, in the country and in the state,” he said.
He said he supports increased oil drilling in the United States to bring down gas prices in the short term but also continue efforts for alternative energy, including nuclear, solar and hydro power.
“We need to make sure we’re drilling here to lower energy prices now,” he said.
He said in talking to voters during the campaign, he learned water quality is crucial to them. He said he supports efforts to keep local waterways clean; part of that is making sure the water and sewer systems are up to date.
James has described himself as a conservative and supportive of prolife issues and the Second Amendment.
The husband and father of three is a company executive and served eight years in the U.S. Army.