Rep. John James (R-MI) got more than he bargained for after trying to use the September 11 terrorist attacks to tarnish his opponent in the Michigan gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Jocelyn Benson.
The dustup started with an ad the James campaign posted to X on Thursday afternoon.
"Jocelyn Benson stands with a radical left that says America deserved 9/11," James' post was captioned. "I stand with you, and I say NEVER FORGET."
Benson, however, did not take this lying down.
"How dare you, Congressman," wrote Benson. "My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11. This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country. I have never, and would never, campaign with anyone who says something so reprehensible."
"If you have any decency, you will immediately take down this false ad," she continued. "The veterans and families who lost loved ones on 9/11 deserve better than your lies and self-serving political opportunism. Shame on you."
This line of attack from Republicans has intensified since the Democratic nomination of former Detroit health official Abdul El-Sayed for the Senate contest. The GOP has focused on El-Sayed's decision near the start of the campaign to attend events with Hasan Piker, a popular leftist Twitch streamer who previously said America "deserved 9/11." Piker has apologized for this remark, clarifying it was meant in a facetious context and wasn't supposed to be taken literally.