John James wants to leave D.C. to lead Michigan as its next governor

Now in his second term in the U.S. Congress, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, doesn’t want to stay in Washington, D.C. Instead, he wants to lead the state he calls home as its next governor.

He previously ran and lost his bids for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020, but in the next election, won a competitive southeast Michigan congressional district which he has held since 2023. Trump endorsed James ahead of the GOP gubernatorial primary.

In the upcoming Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary, he faces in the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, former Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, dropped out of the race and backed James following Trump’s endorsement. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits.

Who is John James?

James – along with Cox – boasts a military background, having served in the U.S. Army in Iraq. When he returned home, he took the helm at his family’s logistics and warehousing business that primarily serves the automotive industry.

James makes regular appearances on Fox News and has the support in his campaign of members of the DeVos family, the wealthy west Michigan family that has a long history of supporting conservative causes. If he wins in November, he would be Michigan’s first Black governor.

James’ key campaign issues

James – like the other Republican candidates in the race – has promised to eliminate the state’s income tax. On education, he has proposed a “Parents’ Bill of Rights for Michigan,” which would require schools to provide lesson plans on “sensitive topics like sexuality, gender ideology, or race” and allow parents to opt their child out of “instruction on controversial subjects.” If elected governor, his proposed “COVID Legal Enforcement Accountability & Relief” or “CLEAR Initiative” promises to refund individuals and businesses fined for COVID-related violations.