July 7, 2026, 12:25 p.m. ET
Detroit — A day before he is set to debate the other two Republicans running to be Michigan’s next governor, Mike Cox lobbed the label of “hypocrite” at U.S. Rep. John James for his business dealings with China.
Cox, the state’s former attorney general from 2003 through 2010, held a press conference Tuesday morning in an empty lot on West Fort Street across the street from James’ family business, Renaissance Global Logistics. James served as president of James Group International and CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics before being elected to Congress in 2022 in Michigan’s 10th District.
Cox said James’ company had imported over 900 shipments from China, worth an estimated $1.25 billion, citing data from trade website ImportGenius.
Cox said that was in contrast with James’ previous comments on China, citing a January 2025 statement about bringing jobs back to the United States from China.
“Stop being a frickin’ hypocrite,” Cox said.
Cox, a lawyer from Livonia, also alleged a Chinese communist party flag once hung from the rafters of James’ company’s warehouse.
While the issue of James’ company’s business dealings with China has come up previously, Cox said the data on how many times he had imported from China and how much he had gained from it was new information that voters should know.
“No one likes the person who profits off of outsourcing,” Cox said. He also referred to James as a “nepo baby,” a term used to imply someone didn’t earn what they have been given through family connections.
In response, James campaign press secretary Alyvia Bailey said Cox had “embarrassed himself with his latest completely false attack against John James.”
“This is exactly why Mike Cox cannot be Governor — he’s completely ignorant about Michigan’s manufacturing and auto industry,” Bailey said in a statement. “He can’t even grasp the difference between imports and exports.
“John James’ family business employs nearly 400 Michigan workers keeping American auto plants running. They export American goods to protect American jobs.
“Cox is a failed career politician whose ignorance is on full display with this fake attack.”
Cox lost a 2010 Republican primary for governor.
James lost two statewide races for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020.
The three Republican gubernatorial candidates, Cox, James and businessman Perry Johnson of Bloomfield Hills, will debate Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., hosted by WJBK-TV (Channel 2). Michigan’s primary election is Aug. 4.
President Donald Trump endorsed James to be Michigan’s next governor on June 22.
