Capitol News

The Republican primary for Michigan governor showed signs of division and uncertainty during the Michigan GOP’s conference on Mackinac Island over the weekend. The event, attended by declared and potential candidates, highlighted challenges within the party as it heads into a competitive race.

A significant point of discussion among attendees was U.S. Representative John James’s decision to skip a candidate forum on Saturday. Former Attorney General Mike Cox commented at the end of the forum, “I also want to thank everyone here who actually showed up instead of leaving the island.” James’s absence drew criticism and attention from both party insiders and observers.

In a straw poll conducted during the conference, James finished in fourth place with 13.8% of the vote. This result follows another recent straw poll in which he received just 11.43% in Michigan’s 9th Congressional District. State Representative Jim DeSana remarked there was “a lot of energy for somebody other than” James and expressed doubt that “at the grassroots level, he is the leader.” Republican Dennis Lenox added, “I haven’t met anybody who says they support John James for governor.”

Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad offered advice after seeing the results: “I always run like I’m behind, and that would be my advice. Don’t take anything for granted.”

House Republican Lisa McClain voiced concerns about James’s campaign: “James running for governor is ‘100% not ideal’ and ‘stings.’”

Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman commented on the situation: “It was a humiliating weekend on Mackinac Island for Michigan Republicans, with their messy gubernatorial primary, deep divisions, and chaos exposed for everyone to see. As Lisa McClain said, this primary for governor is up for grabs. With more candidates likely joining soon, and John James struggling to do anything of note, this primary is only going to get messier and more extreme in the months ahead.”

Reports from various outlets echoed these sentiments:

- Detroit News described the race as “up for grabs.”

- Washington Examiner reported House GOP leadership frustration with James’s campaign.

- Conservative opinion writer Kaitlyn Buss advised that James should not treat his campaign as a guaranteed win.

- MIRS noted an absence of visible support or campaign materials for James at key locations during the conference.

- Former state Rep. John Stewart told MIRS that neither party leadership nor former President Trump supported James’s bid, saying it “wasn’t the right time nor the right fit” for him.

Other news coverage from sources such as Michigan Advance signaled that James’s poor showing could foreshadow a contentious gubernatorial race ahead.

This internal contest takes place against a backdrop where several prominent Republicans are expected to join or intensify their campaigns in coming months.