Donald Trump gave John James his complete and total endorsement for Governor of Michigan on Monday in a Truth Social post, and John James thanked him on social media, calling Trump the greatest President of my lifetime. The endorsement pushed the Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary into a new phase almost at once.
Trump wrote, “It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” He added, “John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
John James and Aric Nesbitt
Aric Nesbitt suspended his campaign for the Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary after Trump’s endorsement and then endorsed James. Nesbitt said, “This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November. Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor,” and added, “A divided primary only helps Democrats. It’s time to unite. I’m asking every one of you who supported this campaign to stand with me behind John James, roll up our sleeves, and deliver a Republican victory in November.”
Perry Johnson and Mike Cox
The endorsement left the remaining field to respond. Perry Johnson said, “President Trump received bad advice yet again. John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before: Trump-backed statewide candidates like John James, Tudor Dixon, Matt DePerno, and Kristina Karamo all came up short when it mattered most,” putting the race’s internal split on the record even as one rival stepped aside.
Mike Cox took a different line on X, saying, “Like @POTUS, I’ve won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders who are sick of being screwed by the elites.”
Michigan governor race
James described Nesbitt’s exit as a sign of unity, posting, “When President Trump endorsed this campaign, Aric Nesbitt did exactly what a true Michigan CONSERVATIVE should do: He united behind the President and our mission to Save Michigan from the Libs and the RINOs destroying our Republic!” The immediate effect is a narrower field around James, with the remaining candidates now forced to decide whether Trump’s backing settles the race or only shifts the argument over who can assemble enough support before November.
