Michigan's two major parties have selected their standard-bearers for the governor's race, with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Representative John James emerging victorious in their respective primaries, according to Decision Desk HQ projections.
Benson, a Democrat, easily outpaced Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson for the party's nomination. On the Republican side, James, who has the endorsement of President Trump, defeated businessman Perry Johnson. The primary results set up what is expected to be a closely watched general election in a crucial battleground state.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection, will leave office after this term. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, currently rates the race as leaning in Benson's favor, though Republicans are eager to flip the seat in November.
State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt and former state Attorney General Mike Cox, both Republicans, remained on the ballot despite suspending their campaigns. Both men have since thrown their support behind James, consolidating the GOP field.
James's victory is a notable win for the former president, who has seen three of his initial gubernatorial picks—Representative Randy Feenstra in Iowa, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette in South Carolina, and Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones in Georgia—lose earlier this cycle. However, Trump has maintained a strong track record with congressional endorsements, and James's success in Michigan bolsters his influence in the party.
The Republican primary was one of the most contentious of the cycle, with Johnson pouring tens of millions of dollars into the race. According to pre-primary campaign finance reports, Johnson raised nearly $31 million between January and July 19, almost all of it self-funded. James, by contrast, raised $3.1 million during the same period, including $258,000 from public funds.
The contest grew increasingly personal and bitter. Johnson ran ads calling James, who is Black, a "DEI candidate" and a "lying liberal loser," as reported by The Detroit Free Press. Cox, before dropping out and endorsing James, labeled him a "nepo baby" for his previous role leading his father's company.
James fired back during a debate on WOOD TV8, telling Johnson: "Perry, I know when you were born, Black people could still be bought and sold in this country, but no one owns me." The remark came after Johnson suggested that outside groups backing James could influence him if elected.
Trump allies also attacked Johnson, who has sought to align himself with the president. Team Trump posted on X last month: "Perry Johnson is a NEVER TRUMPER who ran against @realDonaldTrump in the 2024 election. 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 heading into November is where supporters of former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will go. Duggan, a former Democrat who launched an independent bid for governor, dropped out in May. He had polled in double digits and could have played a spoiler role. Since exiting, he has not endorsed any candidate, leaving his supporters up for grabs.
Attention now turns to the general election, with Benson and James set to face off in a race that could shape Michigan's political landscape for years to come. For more on the primary results, see our earlier primary coverage. The latest developments in the Senate race are also worth tracking here.
