Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate’s Environmental Voting Record Scrutinized
Republican gubernatorial candidate John James, currently serving as a U.S. Representative since 2023, has faced criticism for his environmental policy positions. While publicly advocating for the protection of the Great Lakes, his voting record has raised questions about his commitment to this stance.
The Great Lakes, a crucial source of drinking water and a hub for recreation and tourism in Michigan, have been at the center of environmental debates. During the Trump administration, there were significant cuts to environmental regulations, with proposals to extend oil drilling into the lakes, a plan James has publicly criticized.
In a statement to Bridge Michigan in May, James expressed his opposition to water diversion and oil drilling in the Great Lakes, aligning with his earlier statements in 2020 where he disagreed with the Trump administration’s proposed funding cuts.
However, James voted against an amendment within a bipartisan energy bill in 2023 that aimed to prohibit oil and gas drilling in the Great Lakes. The International Joint Commission has previously warned that an oil spill in the lakes could have disastrous consequences, emphasizing the importance of protecting this vast source of fresh water.
The Joint Commission noted in 2018, “That the lakes provide the largest source of fresh surface water for almost 40 million people … The risk of a spill affecting drinking water is significant, particularly when currents transport crude oil to the vicinity of drinking water intakes.”
Further, James supported the PERMIT Act, legislation intended to reform the Clean Water Act by limiting its scope. Critics, including environmental groups, argue that this act could increase pollution in the Great Lakes, affecting water quality and sanitation costs, particularly impacting Detroit’s residents.
Community advocate Tiana Starks expressed concerns to Planet Detroit, stating, “Water affordability is already a crisis for Detroiters. We know that there are about 60,000 households currently struggling to pay their water bills. Adding any additional cost to Detroiters could put us over the edge.”
James also did not participate in a March 2026 vote aimed at extending federal funding for Great Lakes restoration projects.
His political opponent, Democratic candidate and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, has prioritized Great Lakes protection as part of her campaign. Her website emphasizes, “Fifteen million people in the Great Lakes region get their drinking water from the Great Lakes. And in this era of rapid climate change, protecting our water, air, and natural resources preserves what makes Michigan special and ensures it is a safe, healthy home for all of us.”
