John James launches bid for Michigan governor

Republican Rep. John James on Monday launched a bid for Michigan governor, forgoing a re-election campaign to his House seat in a swing district.

The two-term representative and ally of President Donald Trump said in his announcement on social media that he felt compelled to run because Michigan is “being held back by the lack of strong, competent leadership.”

“For the past seven years, Michigan has been dominated by radical, out-of-touch policies that have hurt our families, our communities, and our economy,” James  said on X, and highlighted his close relationship with Trump. “It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to commonsense.”

James, who — if he wins — would become the state’s first Black governor, enters the primary race with widespread name recognition among Michigan's Republican electorate. A survey conducted in January by Harbor Public Affairs found James held a commanding lead among possible Republican candidates at more than 40 percent support, with 35 percent undecided.

In addition to stumping with Trump multiple times during the president’s campaign stops in Michigan last year, James twice secured the GOP nomination for Senate, in 2018 and again in 2020, only to come up short against Democrats in both general elections. He first lost to former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has since retired, and then fell to Gary Peters.

Peters announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2026. That move set off what is expected to be a crowded race on both sides of the aisle in a highly competitive state.

Trump has not publicly weighed in on the race.

Michigan Democrats were quick to pounce on James’ gubernatorial bid, pillorying him as a “failing” candidate who is too scared to face constituents at town halls.

“John James has spent his career failing in statewide elections and failing to show up for his own district, so why would we trust him to show up for Michiganders as governor?” Curtis Hertel Jr., chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said in a statement. “At a time when Donald Trump is tanking our economy, Michigan needs a leader who won’t just fight for billionaires, but will fight for everyone – John James is not that man.”

Other Republicans vying for the gubernatorial post include Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who announced his campaign in January. Former state Attorney General Mike Cox has formed a candidate committee, but has not formally launched his candidacy. Michigan’s 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee, Tudor Dixon, is also considering another run next year.

There’s a crowded field on the Democratic side as well, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson formally in the race.

And Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, after being affiliated with the Democratic Party for much of his public career, launched a gubernatorial run as an independent late last year.

James, the only Black elected official in Michigan’s congressional delegation — whose district includes southern Macomb County as well as parts of Rochester Hills and Oakland County — is likely to be a key battleground next year. Democrat Christina Hines, a former special victims’ prosecutor, launched her bid earlier Monday for James’ congressional seat.

James' first House race was one of the closest in the 2022 midterms, with James defeating his Democratic opponent, Carl Marlinga, by 1,601 votes. He won reelection this past year, in a rematch with Marlinga, by more than 26,000 votes.