Michigan gubernatorial candidate Rep. John James (R) participated in a panel discussion on the economy with House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and other Republican officials. Rep. Scalise spoke against the rise of progressives in the Democratic Party, including Michigan Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Rep. Scalise said that "there has never been a bigger difference between the two parties." Rep. James would face Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) in the general election, which the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rated as "Leans Democratic."