Republican U.S. Rep. John James’ campaign blasted Democratic foe Carl Marlinga in the Nov. 5 election for supporting elimination of the Electoral College to determine the presidency.

Challenger Marlinga said in a recent profile he supports abolishing the system as a part of “saving democracy.” Marlinga favors the popular vote to decide the outcome because, “Every vote should count.”

That drew a vigorous response from incumbent James’ campaign, noting the Electoral College raises Michigan’s prominence in the national election because it is considered a swing state.

“The reason Michigan’s manufacturing jobs and issues matter to the rest of the country is because our 15 electoral votes, in a swing state, may decide the presidency and control of the U.S. House of Representatives,” said James spokesman Noah Sadlier. “What Marlinga essentially said to Michigan voters is, ‘vote for me so your vote never matters again.’”

The statement from James’ campaign went on to say the “Electoral College is essential to giving states in the Heartland — like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin — a voice at the national level of American politics. Calls to abolish the Electoral College, particularly from liberal cities on the east and west coast, threaten the importance of Michigan in national politics.”

Marlinga’s campaign spokesman, Alan Fosnacht, shot back at James: “Michiganders power his country and only a career politician like John James could think Michigan only matters because of its electoral college votes. We’d all be better off if John James spent half as much time defending Michigan manufacturing workers from outsourcers like himself as he does denying the results of the 2020 election and silencing the voices of every American who freely cast their ballots.”

John James’ campaign criticized Marlinga in a TV ad last month over his 2022 comment in which he called the auto industry “a dying industry.”

Marlinga was slated as the instructor for a program last May called, “The History and Future of the Electoral College at the Lorenzo Cultural Center at Center Campus of Macomb Community College in Clinton Township.

The Electoral College consists of 538 electors, and a majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Each state is awarded one elector for each congressional seat, based on the state’s population, plus two electors, based on the number of senators for each state.

The pros and cons of the electoral college, as outlined on asset.com, follow:

Pros

• Keeps smaller states relevant in national politics

• Makes it easier for candidates to campaign

• Protects the will of the majority from overwhelming the minority

• Provides more certainly to the outcome

Cons

• Gives too much power to swing states

• Has resulted in a candidate winning the popular vote but losing

• A popular vote would empower voters and ensure the conept of one person-one vote

• Maintains the possibility of rogue electors

Both candidates are waging robust, hard-fought campaigns in a rematch to win the 10th District congressional seat, which covers Macomb County south of Hall Road, Shelby Township, Utica, part of Macomb Township, Rochester and Rochester Hills.

Marlinga lost two years ago by a half of a percentage point, about 1,600 votes. Much of that difference came from votes for James in Rochester and Rochester Hills.

James, 43, of Shelby Township, is a business executive and former Army helicopter pilot.

Marlinga, 77, of Sterling Heights, served as the Macomb County prosecutor for 20 years, a private practice attorney for 10 years and a county judge for 10 years.