U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, called for reducing building regulations at the site of a new housing program in Pontiac on Monday as part of his gubernatorial campaign.
James, the Republican nominee for Michigan governor, faces Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Nov. 3 general election.
Republican candidates have been campaigning in Metro Detroit more often in the lead up to the 2026 midterm elections. James appeared at a rap concert last month at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. U.S. Sen. candidate Mike Rogers has also been campaigning in Detroit.
Republicans believe they can gain in Metro Detroit where some moderate Democrats are upset over the success of progressive candidates like U.S. Sen. candidate Abdul El-Sayed. President Donald Trump won in Michigan in 2024 after gaining in the city of Detroit by 8,000 votes, despite the city being a Democratic stronghold.
Read more: Republicans Show Up in Metro Detroit Ahead of Midterms Despite Unfavorable Environment
Trump isn’t on the ballot, but some believe low public support for his second tenure could hurt the Republican ticket in November.
Robert Penemon, a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, told Michigan Chronicle he is a Democrat, but was happy to take a photo with James outside of his church.
“I got nothing against him,” Penemon said.
However, his allegiance to President Donald Trump makes it hard to vote for James, Penemon said.
James met on Monday with members of the 100 Homes for Pontiac program. The effort is a product of the Pontiac Housing Commission, which operates independently from Pontiac’s city government. The initiative also involves the Oakland County Land Bank, which set out a six-year goal to complete the 100 homes.
Ahmad Taylor, the leader of the group said the goal of the residential development program is to add housing to struggling neighborhoods raise the property value. The homes could be built anywhere developers say. By doing so in the middle of a struggling neighborhood, they hope it may lift up nearby neighbors.
“It makes me happy that the first house that I bought when I got out of room, this is better than that house,” James told reporters after taking his shoes off to walk inside the first home of the program. “And so I don’t like the concept of giving trash to people, this is quality.”
The Macomb County Republican pointed to regulations as being something that could possibly cut down costs.
“I do think Michigan has, frankly, an adversarial environment to people who we need to invest, who need to to continue to build up, and until we tear down some of those barriers and make it more reasonable by fixing the the business environment,” James said.
James spoke against Michigan Public Act 233 of 2023, that he says shifted the approval process for large-scale renewable energy projects from local governments to the state level. The Michigan Court of Appeals confirmed in May that state law prevents local governments from imposing requirements on wind, solar, and energy storage projects more restrictive than state law.
“We have to return control back to the locals,” James said. “I actually think the best form of government is closest to the people, and I think the best state government is is fair, efficient, and limited. So ultimately, I’m going to be a facilitator, not a dictator, and I’m really going to be focusing my time, my effort on tearing down barriers, lowering the rungs so people can access higher levels, and and making sure that we can get back to affordability, particularly in housing.”
Inside the Baptist church Monday James told a handful of members sitting in pews he will continue showing up in Democratic areas during his gubernatorial campaign. Another speaker mentioned the makeup of the community voting overwhelmingly Democrat in previous elections.
“It doesn’t make sense to love those who hate us, but we do it anyway,” James said. “It doesn’t make sense to keep showing up when you’re rejected, but we continue showing up anyway.”
