New “Lock” ad slams Democrats' twisted priorities, protecting illegals over American families.

Shelby Township, MI — John James, Michigan’s front‑runner for Governor, today released his first ad of the 2026 race, “Lock,” as Democrats drive a government shutdown to secure a $1.5T taxpayer funded bailout of healthcare insurance companies for illegal immigrants. Their plan is broken: illegal immigrants win, insurance companies win, but working Michiganders are forced to pay skyrocketing premiums while Democrats bankrupt the system and bail out insurers to cover their failures.

In the spot, James speaks directly to voters, warning that America’s generosity is being weaponized against its own people.

“Why do we lock our doors at night? Because we hate the people on the outside? No. Because we love the people on the inside,” James says in the ad. “We also need to lock our borders to protect us from drugs and terrorists.”

Over a month ago, James and his colleagues voted to keep the government open to protect SNAP benefits, pay our troops, and support law enforcement. Since then, Senate Democrats - including Michigan’s own - have voted more than a dozen times to keep the government shut down, using the pain of Americans as leverage in their fight to bailout billionaire insurance giants to give healthcare to illegals. 

“Democrats want to give illegals free healthcare while you go into debt paying for yours. That’s crazy,” James adds.

In a statement accompanying the ad, James said:

“President Trump was right about the border - and he’s right now. As Democrats hold Washington hostage for taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants, I stand with President Trump to secure the border, fix our broken “sickcare system”, stop fentanyl, terrorists, and put American families first.”

Background Facts:

• Detroit continues to rank among the most dangerous cities in America, with a murder rate near 40 per 100,000 residents — one of the highest in the nation. (Source: Detroit Metro Times, 2025)

• Michigan authorities identified over 500 human-trafficking victims in 2023 alone, signaling a sharp rise in organized criminal activity tied to cross-border networks. (Source: Michigan Human Trafficking Commission Annual Report, 2024)

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports that over 1,300 pounds of cocaine have already been seized at Michigan’s northern border in FY 2025, along with growing fentanyl interceptions. (Source: U.S. CBP Detroit Field Office, 2025)

• Law enforcement officials warn that cartels and trafficking operations are exploiting both the southern and northern borders, using Michigan as a corridor for narcotics and human smuggling.

Team John James enters the fall before the 2026 race as Michigan’s clear Republican frontrunner, with the most cash on hand, commanding leads in both primary and general election polling, and a growing statewide grassroots network.

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John James for MI
35744 Van Dyke Avenue
Sterling Heights, MI 48312
info@johnjamesmi.com
Campaign Office Number: (313) 437-1880

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 29, 2025
Contact: Press@JohnJamesMI.com