"Slap in the face": Republican gubernatorial frontrunner John James not committing to debate

Brian Szmytke is a senior advisor with the Oakland County Republican Party. He said James should show up to talk to party faithful, especially since part of his congressional district includes part of Oakland County. 

 “It's honestly a slap in the face to the volunteers that got him elected, because our people put in a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and their money to get him elected. Now he's abandoning that seat, and he's not even showing up to a debate to explain why,” Szmytke said in an interview Thursday...

 https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2026-04-10/slap-in-the-face-republican-gubernatorial-frontrunner-john-james-not-committing-to-debate