Michigan Rep. John James entered the race for governor Monday, opening up a competitive House seat north of Detroit.
In a statement posted on social media, the second-term Republican bemoaned his state’s Democratic leadership.
“Our state has suffered long enough,” he said in his long-awaited announcement. “We are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership — leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most.”
He added: “For the past seven years, Michigan has been dominated by radical, out-of-touch policies that have hurt our families, our communities, and our economy.”
If elected, James would be the Wolverine State’s first Black governor. In his announcement, he touted his service in the Army and his experience running a business.
The gubernatorial run will be James’ third statewide bid. He ran unsuccessfully for Senate in both 2018 and 2020 before being elected to the House in 2022. But he kept both Senate races close, losing to Democrat Gary Peters in 2020 by less than 2 points, which helped elevate his profile.
During his first term, he joined the Energy and Commerce Committee, becoming the first freshman named to the selective panel in more than a decade, according to his office.
James’ announcement Monday tied him closely to President Donald Trump, who has not yet weighed in on the race.
“It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense. President Trump and I have been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years — no reason that will end now,” James said.
James joins a crowded field of candidates to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. On the Republican side, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is also running, while former state Attorney General Mike Cox and 2022 nominee Tudor Dixon are exploring or considering bids. High-profile Democrats in the race include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent, which could add a competitive twist to next year’s general election.
With his run for governor, James leaves behind his Detroit-area 10th District seat, which includes southern Macomb County and parts of Oakland County. He narrowly won his first House race in 2022 by 1,600 votes — an unexpectedly close margin in a race that saw little outside spending. He won reelection last year by 6 points as Trump carried his seat by a similar margin, according to calculations by elections analyst Drew Savicki.
James’ announcement comes the same day a prominent local Democrat entered the race for his House seat. Christina Hines, who lost a bid for Macomb County prosecutor last year, launched her campaign with support from Carl Marlinga, the losing Democratic nominee to James in the past two cycles. Democrat Alex Hawkins, an Army veteran, had already announced a campaign, and Democratic former Rep. Andy Levin is reportedly also considering another House run.
“John James knows House Republicans are doomed thanks to their disastrous policies, and he’s fleeing the sinking ship. House Democrats are flipping MI-10 in 2026,” said CJ Warnke, a spokesman for House Majority PAC, a super PAC with ties to House Democratic leadership.
Republicans, though, said they were “well-positioned” to hold the seat and grow their House majority.
“Michiganders rejected the out of touch Democrats’ radical agenda in 2024, and they’ll do it again in 2026,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Zach Bannon said in a statement.
James is the latest in a string of House members who have announced bids for higher office so far this year. Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas is running for Senate in New Hampshire, while GOP Reps. John W. Rose of Tennessee, Byron Donalds of Florida and Andy Biggs of Arizona are running for governor. Meanwhile, New Jersey Democrats Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer are seeking the Democratic nomination for governor in their state’s off-year election this year.
The post Rep. John James launches campaign for Michigan governor appeared first on Roll Call.
