John James Wins Michigan GOP Governor Primary With 50% as Trump Endorsement Blunts $32 Million Challenge
Updated
Updated · bridgemi.com · Aug 5
John James Wins Michigan GOP Governor Primary With 50% as Trump Endorsement Blunts $32 Million Challenge
3 articles · Updated · bridgemi.com · Aug 5
Summary
John James clinched Michigan’s Republican gubernatorial nomination after the AP called the race at 10:24 p.m., with James leading Perry Johnson 50% to 36% with 27% of votes counted.
Trump’s late-June endorsement helped James consolidate GOP support, triggering rival dropouts and backing from figures including Mike Cox and members of the DeVos family.
Johnson had poured nearly $32 million of his own money into the contest and campaigned on scrapping Michigan’s 4.25% income tax, making it the state’s most expensive gubernatorial primary.
Nov. 3 now sets up James against Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in a high-stakes race where Democrats seek a third straight term and Republicans chase their first statewide win in more than a decade.