Rep. John James (R-MI) announced on Monday that he is running for governor of Michigan, launching a campaign in what is expected to be a competitive 2026 race.
James announced in a post to X that Michigan lacks “strong, competed leadership” and leaned on his experience running an automotive business in the state and in the military.
“I don’t leave people behind — and I won’t start now,” James said. “It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense.”
The launch follows months of speculation that James would seek a bid for Michigan’s open governor seat, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) will term out. Earlier in 2025, eyes were on the Michigan Republican to see if he’d run for the open Senate seat after Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) announced he wouldn’t seek reelection.
There is already a crowded field for the gubernatorial contest, with Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt also running to be the next governor. Tudor Dixon has also expressed interest in the Senate and gubernatorial races after an unsuccessful run for governor in 2022.
GOP candidates will be vying heavily for President Donald Trump’s endorsement, which could carry significant weight in the state after Michigan joined all battleground states in voting for Trump in the 2024 election.
James invoked Trump in his campaign launch, arguing he and the president have “been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years.”
“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.
BUTTIGIEG WON’T RUN FOR MICHIGAN SENATE SEAT
With James forgoing reelection and running for governor, that leaves James’s seat vacant in what is shaping up to be a competitive 2026 congressional season. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) currently holds a three-seat majority, and Democrats only need a net gain of three seats to flip the House.
Historically, the lower chamber flips to the party opposite the White House during the midterm elections. But Republicans are determined to stay on offense and not only maintain but expand the razor-thin majority. With James departing, his vacant seat is rated as “lean Republican” by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.