Rep. John James (R-Mich.), who is running for governor in his state, on Sunday called upcoming Michigan elections “ground zero for this republic." “We need to make sure that we stop socialism and that we save the state of Michigan, because…
Page A10From§Eachthe evening edition — 30 August 2026
Michigan GOP candidate says elections are 'ground zero', as DC schools face grand jury probe over attendance records
Born in the ideal of democracy, survived by the notion that schools are for learning. Preceded in death by the innocence of election season, as candidates call their state 'ground zero' and DC schools face grand jury probes over attendance and graduation records. The stakes are counted in ballots and transcripts, and the gap measured in future prospects. In lieu of flowers, hon, please send a copy of your child’s report card to your local polling place.
“When politicians call elections 'ground zero' and schools get dragged in front of a grand jury for truancy, you know the stakes are bigger than test scores. They treat democracy like a crime scene and education like evidence. The winners get to rewrite the rules, but the kids pay the price.”
“The integrity of elections and school records is paramount. If Michigan is 'ground zero', it just means we're taking things seriously. Investigations are healthy. Did I say crime scene? No, it's just routine oversight. Nothing to see here.”
The receipts
A special grand jury is probing D.C. public schools over truancy, graduation rates and how attendance records are documented across campuses.
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front.