Trump Jr., Kid Rock set to campaign for GOP U.S. Senate challenger James

Donald Trump Jr. is coming to stump for Republican Senate candidate John James in a week as the Trump administration continues its efforts to try to improve his double-digit polling deficit to Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

On Oct. 17, President Donald Trump's oldest son will be joined by girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former Fox News pundit, and Kid Rock, who has endorsed James and is scheduled to perform a few songs for the rally at the Flagstar Strand Theater in Pontiac.

James trailed Stabenow 53 percent to 35 percent in the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 Detroit News-WDIV poll, a double-digit deficit he has not shaken since he won the August GOP primary.

But the deficit has not stopped the president, Vice President Mike Pence and other leading Republicans such as U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida from campaigning for the military veteran and Army Apache helicopter pilot.

“I am running to protect the American Dream for future generations," James said in a statement. “The people of Michigan don't want free stuff, they want a fair shot and I will work with everyone to ensure economic opportunity and national security so that all the people of Michigan - no matter their zip code, have a fair shot at the American Dream."

The event will follow two back-to-back debates between James and Stabenow on Oct. 14 in Grand Rapids and during the Detroit Economic Club luncheon on Oct. 15.

Nearly 40 percent of respondents in the latest Detroit News poll did not know who James is, though his name identification improved to 58 percent in the Sept. 30-Oct. 2 poll, compared with 54 percent in early September.

lfleming@detroitnews.com
(313) 222-2620
Twitter:@leonardnfleming