Michigan Republicans have nominated career politician John James for governor after running a campaign defined by ducking debates, misleading voters about his whereabouts during a shutdown, and relying on Donald Trump to bail him out at the last minute. After losing two statewide races, James is once again asking Michiganders for a promotion he hasn’t earned.
Instead of fighting for Michigan, James spent his time in Congress backing Donald Trump’s agenda — voting to threaten healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, raise costs through Trump’s tariffs, jeopardize food assistance for working families, spread Trump’s election lies, and attack reproductive freedom. Time and again, when Michigan families and Donald Trump were on opposite sides, John James chose Donald Trump.
John James’ toxic record includes:
- Voting to rip healthcare away from more than 424,000 Michiganders, including nearly 238,000 people who rely on Medicaid, while putting rural hospitals across Michigan at risk.
- Spending years trying to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, calling it a “monstrosity” and a “nightmare” despite more than half a million Michiganders depending on it for health coverage.
- Voted six times to back Trump’s tariffs even as Michigan automakers, manufacturers, and farmers warned they were hurting the state’s economy — and refusing to say whether he’d stand with Michigan employers over Donald Trump when asked directly.
- Repeatedly promoting false claims about the 2020 election, accusing Michigan officials of pulling “the rug out” while echoing Donald Trump’s calls to “swamp the vote” to undermine confidence in America’s elections.
- Comparing abortion to genocide, repeatedly backing efforts to strip women of the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions, and promising to pass the “most conservative, most pro-life bill” if elected governor.
- Putting Donald Trump first, declaring, “You’re not going to find a bigger fan than me,” even as Trump’s agenda threatened food assistance for 1.4 million Michiganders who rely on SNAP.
“John James has built a career on showing up when Donald Trump calls and disappearing when Michigan voters have questions,” said Tiffiany Vaughn, spokesperson for American Bridge 21st Century. “He ducked debates, lied to Michiganders about lavish trips, and still spent his time in Congress voting to raise costs, threaten healthcare, and take away reproductive freedom. Michigan doesn’t need a governor taking orders from Donald Trump — it needs a governor who will actually show up and fight for the people of the state.”
For more information on John James, visit www.research-books.com
Published: Aug 4, 2026