‘Bring Prosperity And Sanity Back’: GOP Congressman Enters Michigan Governor’s Race

Rep. John James (R-MI) jumped into the 2026 race for Michigan governor on Monday, seeking to replace Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited.

James, 43, won his seat in Congress in 2022 after coming up short in two consecutive Senate races — losing to former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) in 2018 and current Sen. Gary Peters (D) in 2020. In a statement announcing his candidacy, the U.S. Army veteran said that under Whitmer and Democrats’ leadership, Michigan “has been dominated by radical, out-of-touch policies that have hurt our families, our communities, and our economy.”

Faith and Family.
God and Country.
Service Before Self.

Michigan First. pic.twitter.com/drYWqGSi3C

— John James (@JohnJamesMI) April 7, 2025

James joins Michigan Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt in the Republican primary for governor. Nesbitt, who announced his run in January, also focused on bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan in his announcement statement. Dixon has also stated that she’s considering running for governor or jumping into the Senate race for Sen. Peters’ seat.

On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running, along with Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Longtime Detroit Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan also announced a run for governor in December but said he is running as an independent.

Aside from losing to President Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2024 elections, Democrats have had a string of successes in statewide elections in recent years. Whitmer comfortably won re-election by 10 points in 2022 over Republican nominee Tudor Dixon. In the 2024 election, as Trump took the Great Lakes State by more than 80,000 votes, Democrat Elissa Slotkin defeated Republican Mike Rogers to keep retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s seat in the Democrats’ hands.

James tied himself to President Trump in his announcement, writing that the two “have been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years—no reason that will end now.” In the 2018 Michigan Republican Senate primary, James was endorsed by Trump just days before the primary election. He was endorsed by Trump again in 2020, and the two campaigned together.

“He’s doing his part to Make America Great Again, and I’ll do mine to bring prosperity and sanity back to Michigan,” James said.