At a November 20 GOP gubernatorial debate in Traverse City, Oakland County pastor Ralph Rebandt took a hardline stance on immigration enforcement.
Rebandt's Position on Immigration
When questioned about balancing pastoral compassion with deportation policies, Rebandt stated:
"If you come into the country the right way, you deserve due process. If you don't, you don't deserve due process going out."
Rebandt characterized immigration as a "mass invasion" affecting Michigan's public safety. He illustrated his argument through an emotional anecdote about a pastor friend whose daughter was killed by an illegal immigrant driver who allegedly couldn't speak English.
Notable Absence: Rep. John James
U.S. Representative John James skipped the Traverse City event—his third consecutive GOP gubernatorial debate absence in three weeks. Previous debates occurred in Sparta and Roseville.
James's campaign spokesperson Hannah Osantowske responded that recent polls show James leading the gubernatorial race and he would "consider a primary debate once the field is set."
Fellow Candidates Criticize James
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt remarked:
"The first step of winning next year is actually showing up..."
At an earlier debate, Nesbitt distributed milk-carton centerpieces featuring James's photo marked "Missing."
Former Attorney General Mike Cox added:
"We don't grow Michigan by electing people who don't show up to work, by electing people who are abandoning President Trump's majority in the House and now abandoning all of you."
Truck driver Anthony Hudson called James a "Job Jumpin John" and urged him to keep his congressional seat.
Debate Attendees
The six candidates present at the Traverse City debate were:
- Anthony Hudson - Truck driver
- Aric Nesbitt - Senate Minority Leader
- Mike Cox - Former Attorney General
- Ralph Rebandt - Oakland County pastor
- Tom Leonard - Former House Speaker
- Karla Wagner - Anti-property-tax advocate
Democratic Response
Michigan Democrats released a statement criticizing the Republican primary as "increasingly fraught," noting James "dodged another debate" while the remaining candidates "race to the far-right."