U.S. Representative John James, endorsed by former President Trump, is projected to win the Republican gubernatorial primary in Michigan, as reported by CBS News. As of late Tuesday night, unofficial results showed James leading with 155,109 votes compared to businessman Perry Johnson’s 111,942 votes.
The Candidates
John James announced his candidacy for governor in April 2025. He served as an aviation officer in the U.S. Army for eight years and led a supply chain and logistics firm. James previously ran for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020, where he was defeated by incumbents Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters. He succeeded in two congressional races against Democrat Carl Marlinga in 2022 and 2024. His gubernatorial race leaves Michigan’s 10th Congressional seat open.
One of James’ strengths in the primary was a notable endorsement from President Trump, which resulted in former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox exiting the race. Congressman Aric Nesbitt also endorsed James after suspending his campaign.
Perry Johnson, a businessman with roots in the American auto industry, declared his candidacy for governor in January 2026. Johnson previously attempted a gubernatorial run in 2022 but was disqualified for invalid petition signatures. In the 2024 presidential primaries, he did not qualify for debates.
Johnson emphasized his business expertise, claiming it improved the auto industry through quality and efficiency. He advocates for running the state government based on efficiency, accountability, and results.
Key Issues
During his time in Congress, James prioritized national security, energy independence, and law enforcement support. Recently, he addressed the issue of Canadian wildfire smoke affecting Michigan, causing air quality alerts across the state. If elected governor, he plans to focus on preserving Michigan’s natural resources.
“We need to ensure resilience against extreme weather,” he stated.
Johnson’s platform includes abolishing Michigan’s state income tax, proposing it would save a typical family approximately $4,747 annually. He suggests auditing state spending to align with this policy and intends to reform property taxes. Self-funding his campaign, Johnson recalls his past financial struggles, providing him with a unique perspective.
Christina Zhang contributed to this report.