Detroit businessman announces run for senate.

John James and his family.

Detroit businessman announces run for senate.

#Election2018.

DETROIT — Former Army captain and Detroit businessman John James announced today his bid as a Republican for U.S. Senate. John James made the announcement over Facebook Thursday and will be releasing 100 videos in 100 days to speak directly with voters.

“Michigan needs a conservative outsider in Washington who will take on the establishment and fight for working Michiganders,” James said Thursday in a press release. “My experience as a combat veteran in Iraq, combined with my conservative values and commitment to fighting for conservative principles and my time in business, makes me the conservative outsider we need in Washington.”

The press release stated: “From the battlefield to the boardroom, John James has shown a passion for service. A husband, father, combat veteran, and businessman, John is a conservative Republican who believes Michigan deserves better representation in the U.S. Senate. Throughout his life, John has demonstrated energetic leadership, clarity of vision and a passion for service. John is a proven servant-leader who will represent all Michiganders and help unify Washington.”

“My service in Iraq has provided me with a unique perspective on national security and the emerging threats that we must pro-actively defend against,” James said. “I have fought against and worked to defeat the threat that terrorists and rogue nations represent to our national security.”

At 17, James made the decision to serve his country. After graduating from West Point in 2004, he became a Ranger-qualified aviation officer. He went on to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom where he earned a Combat Action Badge (CAB) and two Air Medals, among other awards while logging 744.3 flight hours in theater leading two Apache platoons.

After eight years of service to the nation, James was honorably discharged and returned to Michigan to work in the family business, James Group International. Currently its president, he has led the company from $35 million to $137 million in revenue while creating 100 additional jobs in Michigan and around the country since 2012.

“My time in business has exposed me to the heavy-handed government regulations and bloated bureaucracy that stifles innovation and entrepreneurship.”

The press release also stated: “(His) deep faith in the Lord shapes every aspect of his life and every decision he makes. “My lifelong commitment to religious liberties, defending life, protecting Second Amendment freedoms, and strictly limiting the role of government reinforces my belief that we must have political leaders with the courage to fight to protect our freedoms and our principles.”

“I’m not a politician, but my lifelong passion for service and love for America and my state compels me to take action,” he said. “As a West Point graduate who served as an Army captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom flying Apaches, I understand national security.”

James and his wife Elizabeth reside in Farmington Hills and have two boys, ages 2 and 3. They are active members of Brightmoor Christian Church in Novi.

“We’ve traveled the state listening and learning from Michiganders who overwhelmingly encouraged us to jump in,” he said. “We’ll be speaking directly with voters through social media in the coming months, engaging over Facebook, Twitter and other platforms where we will release 100 videos over the next 100 days to highlight Team John James.”

To learn more visit JohnJamesforSenate.com.