With early voting in Michigan reaching levels far above expectation and the highly anticipated Presidential General Election (Nov. 5) only days away, one of the most closely watched races with regional and national implications is Michigan’s 10th Congressional District rematch between U.S. Rep. John James (R) and former Macomb County prosecutor Carl Marlinga (D). The two faced each other two years ago in the General Election, with James narrowly defeating Marlinga by 1,600 votes. At the time, political pundits called the election one of the closest congressional contests in the state and country.
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As James and Marlinga sharpen their political messages to persuade voters in the waning days of the 2024 election season, both candidates appear optimistic about their chances to represent the 10th Congressional District. The District engulfs much of Macomb County and includes the eastern Oakland County cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills.
“The race is going very well,” Marlinga told the Michigan Chronicle. “I’m optimistic. My gut feeling and sixth sense tell me I’m going to win.”
After losing to James in 2022, a great part of Marlinga’s optimism for the upcoming General Election is based on his campaign having an infusion of money to help get his message out to voters across multiple platforms.
“In 2022, National Democrats didn’t spend anything on my 10th Congressional race,” said Marlinga, who served almost 40 years as Macomb County Prosecutor, an Assistant U.S. attorney, and 16th Judicial Circuit Court and Probate Court Judge. “This time, the House Majority PAC committed millions in airtime for campaign ads. And there are other organizations that have made the race with me in it a priority. So things that were absent the last time are here this time in full force.”
Marlinga said his campaign’s focus is centered on abortion rights, protecting Social Security and voting rights, fighting to reverse climate change, and expanding health care. Marlinga accuses his opponent of toeing the line with Republicans who maintain extreme positions on critical issues, including immigration, inflation, and abortion rights.
The Michigan Chronicle reached out numerous times, via phone and email, to John James for Congress’ media coordinators to arrange an interview with the incumbent. However, James’ media team never offered a day and time for the Chronicle to speak with the congressman.
According to James’ official U.S. House of Representatives website, since taking office in January 2023, the congressman has been appointed to serve on numerous Congressional Committees, including the Energy and Commerce Committee; Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce; and the Subcommittee on the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals. James is also a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, where he chairs the Subcommittee on Africa.
The congressman’s U.S. House of Representatives website also lists key political issues that James is addressing, including the economy, education, energy, health, and veterans affairs. James, a West Point graduate and former president of The James Group, a Detroit-based supply chain and logistics solutions family of companies, has pushed back on harmful EV mandates in the auto industry. He also vehemently rejects the Biden administration’s handling of the southern border and immigration.
While the ethnicity of candidates shouldn’t be an issue in any election, it’s common knowledge that if James, who is Black, is not re-elected to serve the 10th, it’s possible that Michigan, for the first time since the 1950s, will be without African American representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The scenario could change if James loses and Republican candidate Martell Bivings, an African American, pulls an upset in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District race and beats incumbent Democrat Rep. Shri Thanedar.
Nevertheless, what is not in doubt is James’ support of returning Donald Trump to the White House.
“My family story is the American Dream story,” James posted on X. “But my biggest concern is will children today be able to look back and share that same story? It’s our duty to protect the American Dream for future generations. We must elect Donald Trump and JD Vance. The best is yet to come.”
Marlinga believes if Trump is president again, the “worst is yet to come.” The former prosecutor said the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was a motivating factor for running for Congress in 2022 and despite losing, running again in 2024.
“January 6 shook me to my core,” Marlinga said. “I never thought I would witness a President of the United States attempting to hold on to office by illegal means. I was outraged at what happened which narrowly averted a bold attempt to defeat the will of the people.”
Regarding advocating for racial equity and justice for African Americans and other minority ethnicities, Marlinga said he is proud of his track record of action speaking louder than words.
“The Civil Rights Movement was really the first inspiration for me to get involved in politics,” Marlinga said. “It has always been the single most important movement that drives me, and it will continue to do so. I was the first prosecuting attorney in the history of Macomb County to hire African Americans as assistant prosecutors. I’ve hired and promoted other African Americans to positions of power and significance while in office.”
James defends his own service of empowering people.
“I’ve always put people ahead of politics and service before self,” he posted on X earlier this year. “I’m proud to announce that in just 18 months, my team and I have passed seven bills through the House, brought $118 million in investments to Michigan, and returned $3 million to constituents from the federal government.”
However, Marlinga is thoroughly convinced that the 10th Congressional District would be much better served without James in the U.S. House of Representatives and Trump nowhere near the White House. After multiple decades of public service, Marlinga said he’s ready for the next chapter of his life; this time on Capitol Hill representing the people of the 10th when the 119th Congress convenes on January 3, 2025.
“We have to have politics where we get back to having responsible Republicans and responsible Democrats representing people without the madness that’s going on now,” said Marlinga. “However, as long as Donald Trump and his forces are out there, I worry for my country. After spending a lifetime trying to make things better, I just can’t bail out when the people of the 10th Congressional District and this country are most at risk of him and John James taking us through more bad times.”