President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Rep. John James in his run for Michigan governor on Monday, shaking up a crowded GOP primary field.
Michigan Republicans are looking to flip control of the governor’s mansion for the first time since Rick Snyder left office in 2019. The race is projected to be close with a slight lean to Democrats. Republicans have not won a governor’s race in the state since the 2014 election.
“It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “A West Point Graduate, Combat Pilot, Brave Iraq War Veteran, Successful Businessman and Job Creator, and now, as a Highly Respected U.S. Congressman, John has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State, and our Nation.”
James thanked Trump for his endorsement, calling him the “greatest” president of his lifetime.
“Your endorsement is igniting a movement across Michigan, and we are ready to win!” James said. “Michigan families deserve better than what Jocelyn Benson and Gretchen Whitmer have delivered.”
“Their radical agenda has driven up costs, put violent criminals back on our streets, allowed non-citizens to vote, forced our daughters to compete against biological males, and left our children ranked 44th in the nation in reading while pushing gender ideology instead of math, science, and literacy,” he added. “That ends now.”
Trump has long supported James’ political campaigns, including his unsuccessful Senate bids in 2018 and 2020.
After Trump announced his endorsement, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said he was ending his campaign for the nomination and backing James.
“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” he said. “Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor.”
Other candidates still in the race for the GOP nomination include businessman Perry Johnson and former Michigan attorney general Mike Cox.
“President Trump received bad advice yet again. John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before,” Johnson said, who ran for president in 2024 as a Republican. “If we want a Republican governor in Michigan, defeating John James in this primary is critical. I’ll be working twice as hard to make sure that happens.”
Democrat candidates for governor include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County, Michigan, Sheriff Chris Swanson.
The Michigan primary is set for August 4.
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