John James Wins Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Primary

Republican Congressman John James won Michigan's Republican gubernatorial primary on August 4, 2026, and will face Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the November general election. The Associated Press called the race for James around 10:24 p.m. EDT, with early results showing him leading businessman Perry Johnson by a significant margin.

James, a two-term U.S. Representative from suburban Detroit and an Army veteran, secured the nomination with the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. He defeated Johnson, a 78-year-old businessman who spent over $30 million of his own money on the primary campaign. Benson, who has served as secretary of state since 2019, easily won her Democratic primary. The winner in November will succeed Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited.

James campaigned on a platform emphasizing economic growth, immigration enforcement, and support for the military. He has stated that his first priority if elected would be to repeal Michigan's 2023 Clean Energy and Jobs Act, which aims to transition the state's electricity grid to carbon-free sources by 2040. During a recent debate, James criticized the state's leadership over...