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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and President Trump-endorsed Rep. John James (R-Mich.), are projected for a showdown in the critical Michigan governor’s race this fall, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Benson easily defeated Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson for the Democratic nod while James defeated businessman Perry Johnson for the Republican nomination.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), seen as a possible 2028 contender, is term-limited and cannot seek reelection. The nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report rates the 2026 race as leaning in Benson’s favor as Republicans look to flip the seat in November.
State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) and former state Attorney General Mike Cox (R) were still on the ballot, though both men endorsed James after exiting the race.
James’s win is a victory for Trump, who has seen three of his initial gubernatorial picks, Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) in Iowa, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette (R) in South Carolina and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R) in Georgia, lose earlier this cycle. He’s largely maintained a successful track record of congressional endorsements.
Polling in recent months had shown James leading the GOP pack, but Johnson poured tens of millions of dollars into the primary. A pre-primary campaign election report from January to July 19 showed that Johnson raised just shy of $31 million during that period, nearly all of which he loaned himself.
During that same period, James raised $3.1 million, with $258,000 from public funds.
The Republican primary captured national attention this cycle, at points turning personal and bitter.
One Johnson ad called James, who is Black, a “DEI candidate” — which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion — and another calling him a “lying liberal loser.” according to The Detroit Free Press. .
Before Cox dropped out and endorsed the congressman, the former Michigan attorney general called James a “nepo baby” for previously leading his father’s company, according to the news outlet.
“Perry, I know when you were born, Black people could still be bought and sold in this country, but no one owns me,” James shot back at Johnson during WOOD TV8 debate last month after the businessman suggested outside groups backing James could influence him in office if elected.
Trump allies have also attacked Johnson, who’s sought to style himself akin to the president.
“Perry Johnson is a NEVER TRUMPER who ran against @realDonaldTrump in the 2024 election,” Team Trump wrote on X last month. “Now in the Michigan governor’s race, he’s hosting a “Trump Tailgate” despite not having the Trump endorsement. @JohnJamesMI is the ONLY Trump-endorsed candidate, a state POTUS won BIG in 2024!”
One key question ahead of November is where supporters of former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan go in the race.
A former Democrat, Duggan launched an independent bid for Michigan governor but dropped out in May. The former Detroit mayor could have played a major spoiler in the race as he notched double-digit support in polls. Since dropping out, he has not endorsed anyone in the governor’s race.
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