2020 Michigan US Senate Voters Guide
John James (R) vs Gary Peters (D)
The Candidates
Ban. Calls abortion “genocide.” Would make an exception to save the life of the mother, but not for rape or incest.
Legal. Co-sponsored 2019 Women’s Health Protection Act that would protect access to abortion.
Unclear. Called ACA a “monstrosity” in 2018, favoring a “market-based, patient-centered” approach. Now wants to fix “broken” parts of ACA, with pre-existing condition protection.
No position found.
Yes. Co-sponsored the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act of 2018 and two 2015 measures to reverse the impacts of Citizens United.
No position found.
Unclear. Is supported by Restoration PAC, which is critical of renewable energy efforts.
Yes. Co-sponsored the Clean Energy for America Act, providing tax credits aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
No position found.
Yes. Would prevent for-profit employers from being able to deny female employees contraception coverage.
Yes. Said Trump has “done everything that he has thought was best” in a national COVID response. Says Peters as a senator hasn’t done enough.
No. Administration was “far too slow” in expanding access to testing and personal protective equipment. Opposed Trump decision to cut WHO funding. Introduced legislation to expand access to free testing.
Yes. Would let parents “use their tax dollars to send their children to the best schools, whether they are public or private.”
Yes. “I support free, but fair, trade.” Calls Trump “a master negotiator.”
Mixed. Supported tariffs on foreign cherries and foreign-made washing machines. Opposed proposed tariffs on Mexican goods.
Unclear. In 2018 strongly opposed all gun control. More recently says he is open to discussion on background checks.
Yes. Called for “common-sense gun safety …, at a minimum … comprehensive background checks.”
Unclear. Said “We’re putting DREAMers in a terrible position,” but has not expressed support for DACA.
Yes. “The DACA program has helped provide relief to thousands of hardworking young people” brought to this country as children.
No. Opposed redirecting funds from already allocated programs to pay for a border wall. Cites difficulties farmers face in getting work visas for seasonal workers.
No. “This impeachment is not about the rule of law, it is about revenge.” Has said that he supports Trump “2000 percent.”
Yes. Voted first to call witnesses and then to convict Trump on both articles of impeachment. “The president violated his oath of office and betrayed the public trust.”
No position found. Campaign did not respond to request for comment on House resolution requiring congressional approval to attack Iran.
No position found.
No. Said anti-union laws would “harm working-class families in the state of Michigan.” Co-sponsored legislation to ban right-to-work laws.
Unclear. Has said employers shouldn’t be able to fire someone for being gay.
Yes. In 2015, supported Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality.
No. Said would vote no on 2018 state proposal to legalize recreational marijuana but would “respect the will of the voters.”
Unclear. Criticized increase of minimum wage to $15 an hour. No position found on a smaller increase.
Yes. In 2019 co-sponsored the Raise the Wage Act, to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Unclear. Supports defunding Planned Parenthood, according to Right to Life of Michigan.
Yes. Planned Parenthood “provides important health services to 2.7 million women, men and young people in Michigan.”
Unclear. Supports more police training and recruitment of diverse officers; called proposals to defund police “insane.”
Yes. Co-sponsored bills that would reform policing, ban chokeholds, improve officer training and increase accountability.
No position found.
No. Co-sponsored Senate version of H.R. 1, election reform legislation that prioritized expanding voting access.