President Donald Trump issued his full endorsement of U.S. Rep. John James for Michigan governor on Monday — and within hours, a major Republican rival dropped out of the primary race.
Trump delivered the stamp of approval via Truth Social, declaring James has his “Complete and Total Endorsement.”
“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! JOHN JAMES HAS MY COMPLETE AND TOTAL ENDORSEMENT TO BE THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
James responded, calling Trump “The greatest President of my lifetime.”
The endorsement triggered an immediate shakeup.
Michigan state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt suspended his campaign the same day and threw his support behind James.
“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” Nesbitt said. “Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor.”
Nesbitt added: “A divided primary only helps Democrats. It’s time to unite.”
James praised Nesbitt’s decision, posting on X that 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!”
Not everyone in the primary rolled over.
Businessman Perry Johnson fired back, claiming Trump “received bad advice yet again.”
“John James is a two-time statewide loser, and Michigan has already seen this movie before,” Johnson posted, citing past Trump-backed Michigan candidates who lost general elections.
Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox also stayed in the race, asserting he’s “won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders.”
Cox said he donated thousands to Trump’s campaigns and served as Trump’s election integrity lawyer in Michigan in 2024. “I look forward to being President Trump’s favorite Governor when I win,” Cox posted.
The Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary is August 5, 2026.
Thank you, President Donald J. Trump. The greatest President of my lifetime.
Your endorsement is igniting a movement across Michigan, and we are ready to win!
Together, we will send Mike Rogers to the United States Senate, protect our Republican held U.S. House seats, and Make… pic.twitter.com/GwoWw7dgMq
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) June 22, 2026
When Trisha and I decided to enter this race nearly eighteen months ago, we knew the path to victory would be neither certain nor easy. But we were driven by a deep love for Michigan and an unshakable faith in its people and its future.
We ran to deliver a “Make It In Michigan”…
— Aric Nesbitt (@aricnesbitt) June 22, 2026
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!
The Whitmer-Benson era of failure, fraud, and… https://t.co/lRzl0sWrSq
— John James (@JohnJamesMI) June 22, 2026
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.…
— Perry Johnson (@PJQualityGuru) June 22, 2026
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…
— Mike Cox 2026 (@Mike_Cox) June 22, 2026
