Rep. John James (R-MI) announced Monday that he’s running for Michigan governor.

“Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership – leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most,” James said in a statement.

“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. We’ve lost over 300,000 manufacturing jobs since NAFTA – nearly a third of our industrial base. That’s unacceptable,” he continued.

“It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense,” he added.

Faith and Family.
God and Country.
Service Before Self.

Michigan First. pic.twitter.com/drYWqGSi3C

— John James (@JohnJamesMI) April 7, 2025

A closer look:

From the Detroit Free Press:

James’ entry into the race expands the GOP gubernatorial field, which currently includes Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, and Anthony Hudson, who describes himself on his campaign website as a Texas native who fell in love with Michigan. Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox expressed interest in running late last year. Former GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon has said she’s considering running for governor or U.S. Senate.

On the Democratic side of the race features Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

But the race may not be a typical red-blue affair. Longtime Democrat Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has decided to run as an independent candidate for governor, skipping the primary election.

BREAKING: Rep. John James (R) is running for Governor of Michigan.

James served eight years in the Army, participating in multiple tours of duty in Iraq as an AH-64 Apache pilot. pic.twitter.com/XK4DTFWGLj

— InteractivePolls (@IAPolls2022) April 7, 2025

BREAKING: Rep. John James (R) is running for Michigan Governor. pic.twitter.com/lEBogXDCXj

— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) April 7, 2025

Per NBC News:

Ahead of a potentially crowded primary, James signaled he would run as an ally of President Donald Trump, who narrowly won the state in 2016 and 2024 after losing there in 2020.

“President Trump and I have been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years — no reason that will end now. He’s doing his part to Make America Great Again, and I’ll do mine to bring prosperity and sanity back to Michigan,” James’ statement added.

Trump has not publicly weighed in on the race.

James came to Washington after a successful House campaign in 2022, when he won a competitive race for an open seat. He had previously launched two unsuccessful Senate bids in the state and his recruitment to the House was a boon for Republicans who had sought to convince the Army veteran and businessman to run.

If his gubernatorial bid is successful, he would be Michigan’s first Black governor.

Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again. The race to replace her has drawn a handful of prominent politicians in the state.