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.
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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.
If his gubernatorial bid is successful, he would be Michigan's first Black governor.
Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again. The race to replace her has drawn a handful of prominent politicians in the state.
Right now, James' top opponent is state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. But others could run, too, like former state Attorney General Mike Cox and 2022 gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon, who are both exploring bids.
“More and more folks from every corner of Michigan are joining our 'Michigan First' movement,” Nesbitt said in a written statement that an adviser provided in response to questions about James' candidacy. “We all know Michigan families deserve far better than what they’ve been getting from Lansing under Governor Whitmer.”
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.
While James is casting his candidacy as running against Democratic politicians in the state, Gilchrist and Benson are leaning heavily on their experiences in statewide office and the accomplishments of the party, which won every major statewide office in the 2018 election and again in 2022, and held control of both legislative chambers through 2024.
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.
James’ decision opens up a potentially competitive House seat in the southeastern corner of the state, one that Democrats and Republicans have fought furiously over in recent elections.
