John James is a Black Republican businessman and Army veteran who made national headlines during two high-profile but unsuccessful Senate campaigns in Michigan before winning his House seat. A West Point graduate and Apache helicopter pilot who served combat tours in Iraq, James built his profile as a rising star in the GOP while running his family's logistics company. His military background and business experience have shaped his focus on defense issues and economic policy, while his candidacy represented the party's efforts to diversify its ranks in a traditionally blue state.