2020 Michigan US Senate Voters Guide

John James (R) vs Gary Peters (D)

US Senate | Election | Nov 10, 2020

The Candidates

John James

John James

Republican

Gary Peters

Gary Peters

Democrat

Incumbent

The Issues

Abortion

Keep legal or ban?

John James (R)

Ban. Calls abortion “genocide.” Would make an exception to save the life of the mother, but not for rape or incest.

Gary Peters (D)

Legal. Co-sponsored 2019 Women’s Health Protection Act that would protect access to abortion.

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Affordable Care Act

Support Affordable Care Act (ACA), also called Obamacare?

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Campaign Finance

Require more disclosure about the sources of campaign financing?

John James (R)

No position found.

Gary Peters (D)
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Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

Support government subsidies for renewable energy?

John James (R)

Unclear. Is supported by Restoration PAC, which is critical of renewable energy efforts.

Gary Peters (D)

Yes. Co-sponsored the Clean Energy for America Act, providing tax credits aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

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Contraception

Require health plans to cover birth control?

John James (R)

No position found.

Gary Peters (D)

Yes. Would prevent for-profit employers from being able to deny female employees contraception coverage.

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Courts

Pick Ruth Bader Ginsburg replacement now or let November winner choose?

John James (R)

No position given on timing of nomination hearings or a confirmation vote.

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COVID-19

Support Trump administration’s COVID response?

John James (R)

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.

Gary Peters (D)

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.

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Education

Use public funding to send children to private schools?

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Foreign Policy

Support administration tariffs on steel and other products?

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Gun Control

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

John James (R)

Unclear. In 2018 strongly opposed all gun control. More recently says he is open to discussion on background checks.

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Immigration

Support “DACA” offering work permits to participants brought to U.S. as children?

John James (R)

Unclear. Said “We’re putting DREAMers in a terrible position,” but has not expressed support for DACA.

Support border walls and reduced immigration by limiting visas and asylum?

Gary Peters (D)

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.

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Impeachment

Supported U.S. Senate calling witnesses and voting to convict President Donald Trump?

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Iran

Oppose military attacks on Iran without congressional approval?

John James (R)

No position found. Campaign did not respond to request for comment on House resolution requiring congressional approval to attack Iran.

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Labor

Support “right-to-work” laws, eliminating the ability of unions to mandate dues for workers they represent?

John James (R)

No position found.

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LGBTQ Rights

Support rights for LGBTQ+?

Gary Peters (D)

Yes. In 2015, supported Supreme Court decision in favor of marriage equality.

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Marijuana

Decriminalize or legalize?

John James (R)

No. Said would vote no on 2018 state proposal to legalize recreational marijuana but would “respect the will of the voters.”

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Minimum Wage

Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?

John James (R)

Unclear. Criticized increase of minimum wage to $15 an hour. No position found on a smaller increase.

Gary Peters (D)

Yes. In 2019 co-sponsored the Raise the Wage Act, to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

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Planned Parenthood

Should Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion care?

John James (R)

Unclear. Supports defunding Planned Parenthood, according to Right to Life of Michigan.

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Police and Community

Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?

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Voting Rights

Strict ID and other rules to combat possible fraud, even if limit access?

John James (R)

No position found.

Gary Peters (D)

No. Co-sponsored Senate version of H.R. 1, election reform legislation that prioritized expanding voting access.

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