I follow some young Veterans who are now honoring their oaths “to support and defend” our Constitution as members of Congress. Among them is Rep. John James from Michigan’s 10th congressional district.

John caught my attention recently after posting a short video responding to a claim from hate-hustler Al Sharpton. Apparently, the Rev. Al claimed there were no black House members from Michigan. John responded, “I’ve been black for the past 44 years, so imagine my surprise!”

Let me introduce you to a Patriot.

John grew up in the Palmer Woods neighborhood of Detroit. He graduated from the Catholic Brother Rice High School and earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point), graduating in 2004. John says: “I’m the product of parents born in the Jim Crow South, who moved to Michigan for opportunity. By the Grace of God and a momma who wouldn’t quit, I was able to go to West Point, serve in Iraq as a Ranger-qualified Apache pilot, then help run and 10x my family company, and serve MI in Congress. I’m living the American Dream, and I’m fighting to keep hope alive for Michigan.”

Upon graduation from USMA, John commissioned as an Army Aviation officer. After completing aviation and Ranger training, he served on active duty for eight years, including two deployments during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, as a pilot in the AH-64 Apache, he led two Apache helicopter platoons, logging more than 750 combat flight hours as a Battle Captain and Assistant Operations Officer. Notably, one of his West Point classmates is Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX), who also became an Apache pilot.

In 2012, after his honorable discharge as a Captain, John joined James Group International, a company founded by his father in 1971, becoming CEO of the company’s Renaissance Global Logistics, specializing in global supply chain management services. He completed a master’s degree in supply chain management from Penn State University, a degree he started while still on active duty. In 2015, he also completed an MBA from the University of Michigan. He grew his family company’s revenue from $35 million to $137 million and added 100 jobs.

John is bold about his devotion to “God and country” and his desire to serve in public office.

In 2018, he was a Senate candidate, declaring: “I believe that we need a combat veteran on the floor of the U.S. Senate [who] understands what it takes to keep America … someone who understands national security from a strategic and tactical level as this world becomes a more dangerous place. But we also need somebody who understands economic opportunity and someone who’s actually created jobs.”

Unfortunately, that was too steep a climb against a three-term incumbent, Democrat Debbie Stabenow.

As a black Republican, John found out that Democrats and their Leftmedia publicists love to hate him because he, and other rising GOP stars, stand in the face of their bias and bigotry against black conservatives.

In 2022, he set his sights on a more manageable goal: running for and being elected to Congress. He was reelected in 2024.

From his congressional office, John says: “The Army Aviator motto is ‘High Above the Best’: supporting and protecting the boots on the ground. Today, my office looks a little different, but the mission’s the same: providing support for ‘the best’ — the hardworking Michiganders on the ground.” He insists: “Elected officials should take note: their mission is to serve the best of the best, the American people, and never lose sight of who they’re fighting for.”

Asked about Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress, he said Trump “is not a politician and neither am I.” He added: “The nation is becoming increasingly more divided. Career politicians have become increasingly more ineffective. … I would say that our president has kept his promises … and we’re trending in the right direction.”

Speaking earlier this year to the graduating class of Adrian College about his challenges and failures, John said: “Failure is not final. It’s a data point — that’s all it is. It’s not a life sentence, not a moral judgment. Just information. Failure says, ‘This path didn’t work. Try another.’”

He mentioned having a tough time getting into the high school he wanted to attend and getting into West Point. He didn’t pass Ranger School on his first attempt, having to recycle the first phase. And he noted he didn’t win over his wife, Liz, right away — she insisted he needed to mature first.

He says: “I’m chasing my purpose, not a paycheck. I’ve had many jobs. I’ve lived in many places. And I’ve failed many, many times. But my entire adult life I was prepared to sacrifice everything in pursuit of my purpose.”

In August, John was back in the co-pilot seat of a helicopter, this time flying a mission with the Coast Guard from Air Station Detroit. He was an advocate for the Coast Guard’s new fleet of MH-60 helicopters.

John has now set his sights on being the next governor of Michigan in the 2026 election, saying: “Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership — leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most. … It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense.”

John and his wife, Liz, have three young sons, John (11), Hudson (9), and Christian (6), and are raising them in Shelby Township.

CPT John James: An ordinary man faced with extraordinary circumstances — a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all, above and beyond the call of duty.

(Read more Profiles of Valor here.)

Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis
Pro Deo et Libertate — 1776

Follow Mark Alexander on X/Twitter.

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