Rep. John James (R-MI) earned a coveted endorsement from President Donald Trump on Monday, a surprise announcement that will help cement his front-runner status in Michigan’s GOP primary for governor.
The president praised James, a two-term House member, as a “Highly Respected U.S. Congressman” and highlighted his military service as a combat pilot who served in Iraq.
“John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
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Trump has backed James through two unsuccessful Senate campaigns and continued to support him as a congressman representing one of Michigan’s battleground districts. But he openly questioned James’s decision to run for governor last summer, musing that he might be leaving the House seat vulnerable in 2026.
“John James, John James,” Trump said at the time. “I don’t know — you know, he’s running for governor, but I’m not sure I’m happy about that.”
The president’s decision to back James again marks a blow to the three other Republicans vying for the nomination, two of whom have come within striking distance in recent polling.
The endorsement also came earlier than expected, as Trump often waits until closer to the primary before settling on a candidate. He’s been dealt two setbacks this month, with his choices for governor in Iowa and Georgia losing their primaries. He appeared on track to suffer the same fate in South Carolina before endorsing a second candidate ahead of Tuesday’s gubernatorial runoff.
Trump has a mixed record with Michigan voters, winning the state twice but losing his 2020 reelection campaign to Joe Biden. Still, his endorsement is expected to shore up James’s support with Republicans and help preserve or expand his polling margin.
James is competing against businessman Perry Johnson, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, and state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt in the Aug. 4 primary. Each of the candidates has promised to align themselves with the president and sought his endorsement.
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As of now, James leads the primary field by 8 points, according to a RealClearPolitics average, but has polled within the margin of error against Johnson and Cox.
The winner of the Republican primary is expected to face Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who has a commanding lead in the Democratic primary for governor. A third-party candidate, Mike Duggan, ended his campaign in May.