A key member of Republican leadership in the U.S. House says that U.S. Rep. John James' decision to abandon his seat after two terms and run for governor next year — when Republicans are trying desperately to hold onto the majority in the chamber — "absolutely" puts his potentially competitive district at greater risk of being flipped by the Democrats.

U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Bruce Township, who is the fourth ranking Republican in the House, told the Washington Examiner for a story on Sept. 22 that it is "an understatement to say that it (James' leaving the seat) is not ideal." As a member of House Speaker Mike Johnson's leadership team, McClain's voice carries extra weight in Washington; she made the remarks to the Examiner on Mackinac Island, where Republicans gathered for a biennia

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