A pointed back-and-forth on social media platforms X and Facebook showed that even the anniversary of 9/11 has become a political point in the race for governor.
On Sept. 10, Republican gubernatorial candidate John James posted a video ad on X claiming Democrat Jocelyn Benson "stands with the radical left" that believes America "deserved" 9/11.
Benson hit back within an hour on X and Facebook calling James' add a "lie" and "disrespectful" to her "family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country."
Benson said if James had any decency he would take the ad down. As of 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 11, the ad remained on James' X account.
James on Thursday also posted a screenshot on Facebook calling Benson's outrage "fake" and demanding she disavow political commenter and streamer Hasan Piker and the DSA. He also called on her to resign and claimed she is lying about him.
Benson and James are the major party candidates running to replace Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is finishing her second term and can not run again because of term limits.
Benson is the sitting Secretary of State in Michigan while James is a congressman representing the Michigan 10th district north of Detroit.
In his Thursday ad, James said Americans were told to fight extremism "over there" and adds that he did. He then says "left wing" politicians opened our borders and that extremism is "inside the house."
"Jocelyn Benson stands with the radical left that says America deserved 9/11," James says in the ad.
Benson replied on her own X account, calling James' ad "despicable."
"How dare you, Congressman. My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11," she said in the X post. "This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country.
"I have never, and would never, campaign with anyone who says something so reprehensible," she added. "If you have any decency, you will immediately take down this false ad. The veterans and families who lost loved ones on 9/11 deserve better than your lies and self-serving political opportunism."
James then posted a screenshot of her statement on Facebook, adding his own message that she can't "cry foul when you get called out for your cowardice and gaslighting for the first time in your life."
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Benson, James blast each other over 9/11. Governor's race touches anniversary