Source: Politics<\/p>\n
Republican Rep. John James on Monday launched a bid for Michigan governor, forgoing a re-election campaign to his House seat in a swing district.<\/p>\n
The two-term representative and ally of President Donald Trump said in his announcement on social media that he felt compelled to run because Michigan is \u201cbeing held back by the lack of strong, competent leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the past seven years, Michigan has been dominated by radical, out-of-touch policies that have hurt our families, our communities, and our economy,\u201d James \u00a0said on X<\/a>, and highlighted his close relationship with Trump. \u201cIt\u2019s time to get Michigan\u2019s government out of fantasyland and back to commonsense.\u201d<\/p>\n James, who \u2014 if he wins \u2014 would become the state\u2019s first Black governor, enters the primary race with widespread name recognition among Michigan’s Republican electorate. A survey conducted in January<\/a> by Harbor Public Affairs found James held a commanding lead among possible Republican candidates at more than 40 percent support, with 35 percent undecided.<\/p>\n In addition to stumping with Trump multiple times during the president\u2019s campaign stops in Michigan last year, James twice secured the GOP nomination for Senate, in 2018 and again in 2020, only to come up short against Democrats in both general elections. He first lost to former Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has since retired, and then fell to Gary Peters.<\/p>\n Peters announced in January that he would not seek reelection in 2026. That move set off what is expected to be a crowded race on both sides of the aisle in a highly competitive state.<\/p>\n Trump has not publicly weighed in on the race.<\/p>\n Michigan Democrats were quick to pounce on James\u2019 gubernatorial bid, pillorying him as a \u201cfailing\u201d candidate who is too scared to face constituents at town halls.<\/p>\n \u201cJohn James has spent his career failing in statewide elections and failing to show up for his own district, so why would we trust him to show up for Michiganders as governor?\u201d Curtis Hertel Jr., chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, said in a statement. \u201cAt a time when Donald Trump is tanking our economy, Michigan needs a leader who won\u2019t just fight for billionaires, but will fight for everyone \u2013 John James is not that man.\u201d<\/p>\n Other Republicans vying for the gubernatorial post include Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who announced his campaign in January<\/a>. Former state Attorney General Mike Cox has formed a candidate committee<\/a>, but has not formally launched his candidacy. Michigan\u2019s 2022 Republican gubernatorial nominee, Tudor Dixon, is also considering another run next year.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a crowded field on the Democratic side as well, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist<\/a> and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson<\/a> formally in the race.<\/p>\n And Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, after being affiliated with the Democratic Party for much of his public career, launched a gubernatorial run as an independent<\/a> late last year.<\/p>\n James, the only Black elected official in Michigan\u2019s congressional delegation \u2014 whose district includes southern Macomb County as well as parts of Rochester Hills and Oakland County \u2014 is likely to be a key battleground next year. Democrat Christina Hines, a former special victims\u2019 prosecutor, launched her bid earlier Monday<\/a> for James\u2019 congressional seat.<\/p>\n James’ first House race was one of the closest in the 2022 midterms, with James defeating his Democratic opponent, Carl Marlinga, by 1,601 votes. He won reelection this past year, in a rematch with Marlinga, by more than 26,000 votes.<\/p>\n