Republican National Convention features five Michigan speakers

(The Center Square) – As many as five Michigan residents are scheduled to speak at this year's Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

Senate candidate Mike Rogers, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, former gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson, Macomb businessman Benjamin Joseph and Rev. Lorenzo Sewell are all on the speaking list.

Rogers, Johnson and Sewell are expected to speak later this week, while James and Joseph gave their speeches Monday evening. With the convention taking place in Wisconsin, and the rust belt being a major swing vote location, the Midwest will likely be a focus for the RNC this week.

James spoke early in the convention, telling his perspective on the American Dream. He began by giving the story of his dad, also a veteran and entrepreneur, who grew up under Jim Crow laws. James argues that despite the prejudice his family has faced, he can love his country and achieve his dreams.

“Even though we have marked blemishes in our past, even though we have much farther to go, even though they endured racism it did not define the nation they loved. They taught me I could do anything I set my mind to,” James said in his speech.

Monday’s other Michigan speaker, Benjamin Joseph, runs a Macomb home remodeling business with his father. Over the past few years, he said he and his company have financially struggled, to the point where he now must move back in with his parents.

“I’m now barely making payroll, and our family has just barely enough to live on, but we can’t build up any savings and we can’t move forward,” Joseph said. “As parents, we want to provide for our children. But more and more parents like myself, have to look their little girl, or their little boy in the eye when they’re asked for something to say ‘We can’t afford it.’”

Joseph went on to say he did not experience this under former President Donald Trump’s economy, and a fellow businessman is necessary to fix the economy.

The Republican National Convention will continue through Thursday