2018 Michigan US Senate Voters Guide

John James (R) vs Debbie Stabenow (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 6, 2018

The Candidates

John James

John James

Republican

Debbie Stabenow

Debbie Stabenow

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Mostly ban or mostly legal?

John James (R)

Ban,  with exception for life of the mother—but not for rape or incest.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Legal. Says has to be woman’s choice.

Campaign Finance

Require political ads to disclose their funders? Support Citizens United decision for unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Yes. Leader in fight against big money in politics.  Co-sponsored updated DISCLOSE Act . “Would gladly repeal Citizens United.”

Climate Change

Consider climate change a serious crisis? Limit or tax production of greenhouse gases?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Contraception

Let employers withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if disagree with it morally?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Courts

Supported Brett Kavanaugh nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court?

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Will review his record but concerned about environment & healthcare stands.

COVID-19

Support administration’s response to coronavirus pandemic?

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Will review his record but concerned about environment & healthcare stands.

Economy

Support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth? Support President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese steel & other products?

Education

Give parents vouchers to send children to private schools with public $?

Debbie Stabenow (D)

No. Has long opposed school vouchers. Says create world-class public education.

Elections

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Strongly supports. Voting districts should be drawn fairly, without “strange configurations.”

Environment

Support cutbacks of Environmental Protection Administration?

John James (R)

No overall statement found, but a likely yes.

Financial Regulation

Support cutbacks of Consumer Protection Bureau?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Gay Rights

Support gay marriage?

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Yes. Many votes against discrimination, even before Supreme Court ruling.

Gun Control

Support more restrictive gun control legislation? Restrict semi-automatic weapons?

John James (R)

No. Second amendment rights “SHALL NOT be infringed [upon]. Enough said!”

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Yes. Supports common-sense gun reform: expanded background checks, banning high-capacity magazines & bump stocks.

Health Care

Support or Repeal Affordable Care Act (ACA), known as Obamacare? Let Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion healthcare?

Immigration

Support DACA, letting “Dreamers” who arrived illegally as children, then grew up in the US, achieve legal status if meet certain conditions?

John James (R)

No public statement found. But opposes path to citizenship for America’s 11 million illegal immigrants. “We must end illegal immigration” & secure the border.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Yes. Voted for original 2007 DACA bill that failed to pass. Advocating for new DACA bill. Has supported more money for border funding, mixed votes on path to citizenship.

Iran

Withdraw from treaty to limit Iran’s nuclear capability & lift some sanctions?

Marijuana

Support medical & recreational decriminalization? Legalization is on the ballot as Measure 1.

John James (R)

Unknown view of medical marijuana use. Opposes legalization for recreational use.

Minimum Wage

Raise federal minimum wage from $7.25/hr?

John James (R)

Critical of increasing to $15/hr, but unclear if he’d support smaller increase.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Has supported raising, but no statement on current proposal to raise to $15/hr.

Net Neutrality

Require internet providers to provide equal access to all users?

John James (R)

Unknown

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Yes. FCC decision to overturn net neutrality is “terrible.”

President Trump

Response to President Trump’s actions & policies? Percentage of key votes supporting Trump’s positions while in office?

John James (R)

Supports. “President Trump is keeping his promises to the American people.” Percentage not applicable, as background is in business, not as elected official.

Debbie Stabenow (D)

Opposed some executive orders: Farm Bill & drilling in Great Lakes. Disturbed by Trump’s “bromance” with Putin. Voted 33% with Trump as of 09/25/18.

Renewable Energy

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Student Debt & Financial Aid

Refinance student loans at lower rates, paid for by more tax on high earners (Elizabeth Warren proposal)? Increase federal aid, like Pell Grants?

John James (R)

Unknown. Would “have to take a more detailed look” at student loan forgiveness before commenting.

Taxes

Support President Trump’s tax cuts?

Voting Rights

Support stricter voting rules like photo-ID requirements?

John James (R)

No public statement found.

Other senate candidates include Marcia Squier (Green), George Huffmann III (Taxpayers), & John Howard Wilhelm (Natural Law). Due to limited space, we can’t include candidates polling at less than 15%, but encourage you to check out their websites.

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