April 10, 2025 Story by: Publisher
Republican Rep. John James of Michigan is running for governor, he announced Monday, as one of the most pivotal elections on the ballot in 2026 continues to draw big-name politicians.
In a message posted on his social media channels, James lamented Democratic governance in the state and argued that “it’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense.”
“Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership,” he wrote.
Ahead of a potentially crowded primary, James signaled he would run as an ally of President Donald Trump, who narrowly won the state in 2016 and 2024 and lost there in 2020.
“President Trump and I have been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years — no reason that will end now. He’s doing his part to Make America Great Again, and I’ll do mine to bring prosperity and sanity back to Michigan,” James’ statement added.
Trump has not publicly weighed in on the race.
James came to Washington after a successful House campaign in 2022, when he won a competitive race for an open seat. He had previously launched two unsuccessful Senate bids in the state and his recruitment to the House was a boon for Republicans who had sought to convince the Army veteran and businessman to run.
Two statewide Democratic officeholders are also running in what’s expected to be a high-profile primary on that side of the aisle as well. Both Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have announced gubernatorial bids. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is also running.
The winner of the two party primaries will have to deal with an interesting wrinkle: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent and not in the Democratic primary — the party he’d previously affiliated with.
Source: NBC News
