Republican John James seeks some distance from Trump in Michigan governor debate

Republican Rep.John James on Tuesday sought to put some daylight between himself and President Donald Trump as he debated his opponent in the Michigan governor’s race.Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state, repeatedly tried to tie James to Trump during the hourlong showdown, saying he had failed to stand up to Trump and wouldn’t do so as governor, either.James, who was boosted by Trump’s endorsement in his GOP primary campaign, pointed to the Iran war and tariff policy as issues over which he has disagreements with Trump.“I’ve stood up to the president many times.

I’ve said that I can agree with the president without worshipping him.I can disagree without attacking him, and I always put Michigan first,” James said.James said he believed the conflict in Iran needed to end “quickly, as in yesterday,” echoing comments he made last month.

James, who has voted against several resolutions in the House that sought to end the Iran war, also said he wants to “use whatever checks and balance power that we have to bring this war to a swift conclusion.”His comments in his first debate with Benson in the key battleground state come as polls show voters nationally continuing to sour on Trump’s handling of the Iran war and the cost of living as the midterm elections draw closer.Benson attacked James for voting against the Iran war powers resolutions while blaming high gas prices on the conflict.

“I struggle with that vote,” James said of the war powers resolutions votes.“I’m a combat veteran.

I have been to war.She has not.

I understand what war means, and so I voted to protect the troops and to fund them while they were in harm’s way.”Benson pointed out that her husband served in the Army.“Military spouses serve also, congressman,” she said.Benson sought to link James to Trump’s tariff agenda, saying she dubs them the “John James tax,” while James said he had pushed back on the Trump administration’s...