Past and present Senate candidates from Michigan: on Jobs

John James: Opposes raising federal minimum wage to $15/hr

John James (R): Critical of increasing to $15/hr, but unclear if he'd support a smaller increase.

Debbie Stabenow (D): Has supported raising, but no statement on current proposal to raise to $15/hr.

John James: Incumbent does not do enough to create or protect jobs

"Michigan needs a combat veteran and job creator in the U.S. Senate. I don't have a black message. I don't have a white message," said James, who is African American and who criticized Stabenow for not doing enough to create or protect jobs. "I have a Michigan message.... Washington has enough career politicians."

Marcia Squier: Stop stiffing tipped worker wages!

Gary Peters: Extend jobless benefit for long-term unemployed

For weeks, Democratic US Rep. Gary Peters had already been calling for an extension of benefits that expired Dec. 28.

Then before White House-backed legislation to restore the benefits unexpectedly cleared a hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, Republican Terri Lynn Land said she supports the bill. Her stance puts her at odds with Republicans in Congress and conservative organizations that say an extension is ineffective and wasteful.

The unemployment bill would restore benefits averaging $256 weekly to an estimated 1.3 million long-term jobless, including 86,000 in Michigan. Peters said on his Facebook page Tuesday that "extending unemployment insurance is an investment with a proven economic return, and it is the right thing to do for Michigan families."

Terri Lynn Land: Extend jobless benefit for long-term unemployed seeking work

For weeks, Democratic US Rep. Gary Peters had already been calling for an extension of benefits that expired Dec. 28. Then before White House-backed legislation to restore the benefits unexpectedly cleared a hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday, Republican Terri Lynn Land said she supports the bill.

Her stance puts her at odds with Republicans in Congress and conservative organizations that say an extension is ineffective and wasteful. "I support an extension of the federal benefits to those actively seeking gainful employment, but what we really need are pro-growth policies that create jobs so that the victims of the Obama economy can finally regain their independence and dignity with a good-paying job," Land said.

Debbie Stabenow: President should meet with Big 3 Automakers

STABENOW: We need a president who’s going to sit down with the automakers. This president can’t come up with 30 minutes to sit down with them. We’ve got to get healthcare costs off the back of business. We’ve got to protect pensions, and race like crazy for innovation. We make and grow things in America. That’s what its going to take. We’ve got to fight for those jobs here.

BOUCHARD: She says one thing and does another here. She’s a 18% rating from the Manufacturers Association, I won’t vote to raise taxes, or cut jobs. I’m a small business owner. We need someone who gets it and does results.

Mike Bouchard: Big 3 Automakers need tax cuts so no job cuts

STABENOW: We need a president who’s going to sit down with the automakers. This president can’t come up with 30 minutes to sit down with them. We’ve got to get healthcare costs off the back of business. We’ve got to protect pensions, and race like crazy for innovation. We make and grow things in America. That’s what its going to take. We’ve got to fight for those jobs here.

BOUCHARD: She says one thing and does another here. She’s a 18% rating from the Manufacturers Association, I won’t vote to raise taxes, or cut jobs. I’m a small business owner. We need someone who gets it and does results.