SouthernWorldwide.com – Former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed U.S. Representative John James in his bid for Michigan governor.
The announcement came via a post on Trump’s Truth Social account, where he declared it his “Great Honor to endorse America First Congressman, John James, who is running to become the next Governor of the Beautiful State of Michigan!” He added, “John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!”
James responded enthusiastically on social media, calling Trump “The greatest President of my lifetime.” This public display of gratitude highlights the strong relationship between the two figures.
Following Trump’s endorsement, Michigan State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced his withdrawal from the Republican gubernatorial primary. Nesbitt also declared his support for James.
“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” Nesbitt stated in his social media posts. “Today, I am suspending my campaign and proudly joining President Trump in endorsing John James as Michigan’s next Governor.”
Nesbitt emphasized the need for party unity, stating, “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 welcomed Nesbitt’s decision, noting 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!”
However, not all candidates in the Republican primary are aligning with Trump’s choice. Businessman Perry Johnson, also running for governor, expressed his disagreement with the endorsement.
“President Trump received bad advice yet again,” Johnson posted on social media. “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.”
Another candidate, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, also weighed in on X. Cox asserted his own strong connection to Trump and his past electoral successes in Michigan.
“Like @POTUS, I’ve won Michigan twice by building a coalition of working Michiganders who are sick of being screwed by the elites,” Cox stated. “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.”
