Trump endorses John James in Michigan governor race as GOP rival exits primary

President Donald Trump on Monday endorsed U.S. Rep. John James, who is running for governor in Michigan.

"It is my Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!" the president declared in part of a Truth Social post. "John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!"

James thanked Trump, calling him "The greatest President of my lifetime" in social media posts.

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After Trump issued the endorsement message on Monday, Michigan state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt dropped out of the Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary and endorsed James.

"This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November. Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor," Nesbitt declared within social media posts. "A divided primary only helps Democrats. It’s time to unite. I’m asking every one of you who supported this campaign to stand with me behind John James, roll up our sleeves, and deliver a Republican victory in November."

James responded to Nesbitt's move, asserting in part of a post on X, "When President Trump endorsed this campaign, Aric Nesbitt did exactly what a true Michigan CONSERVATIVE should do: He united behind the President and our mission to Save Michigan from the Libs and the RINOs destroying our Republic!"

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Businessman Perry Johnson, who is also running in the Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary, suggested that the president had made the wrong move by backing James.

"President Trump received bad advice yet again. John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before: Trump-backed statewide candidates like John James, Tudor Dixon, Matt DePerno, and Kristina Karamo all came up short when it mattered most," Johnson asserted in social media posts.

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Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, who is also running, asserted in a post on X, "Like @POTUS, I’ve won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders who are sick of being screwed by the elites. I’m proud to have voted for President Trump in each of his last three elections, to have donated thousands of dollars to support his campaigns, and to have been hired to represent him as his election integrity lawyer in Michigan in 2024. I look forward to being President Trump’s favorite Governor when I win."