Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. — Republican governor candidate John James used a Monday afternoon press conference in metro Detroit to press for stronger parental rights and more accountability in Michigan schools.
Congressman John James held the event in Grosse Pointe Woods on Oct. 12, just over three weeks before the Nov. 3 election. He spoke alongside parents and students discussing rights in schools and girls in school sports, including a parent involved in a dispute with the Grosse Pointe Public Schools over classroom displays.
James said parental rights issues matter, but argued they are distractions from Michigan poor reading scores and school performances. He said the centerpiece of his education agenda is getting results for kids in the classroom, not activism.
He wants Michigan to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit, which provides tax breaks for donations to scholarships that some low-income families could use for private school tuition. Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer has so far resisted, saying she is still waiting on information from the federal government about the program details.
James also said the Michigan State Board of Education and superintendents are not accountable to the governor under the state constitution, and he wants more say in overseeing education if elected. His Democratic opponent, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, has accused him of shifting the conversation away from affordability for Michigan families.
James separately told reporters that voters have tuned out negative ads and that he plans to rely on press coverage, social media and word of mouth after a Republican Governors Association backed group cut back broadcast TV spending supporting his campaign. Democratic spending on the Michigan governors race has dwarfed Republican advertising, according to ad tracking firm AdImpact.
