FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug 11, 2026
Contact: Alyvia Bailey
alyvia@johnjamesmi.com
ICYMI: JAMES TAKES THE FIGHT TO THE RADICAL, SOCIALIST BENSON–EL-SAYED TICKET
It’s been a BIG week in the race for Michigan Governor. John James is wasting no time uniting Republicans, taking the commonsense vs. crazy message across Michigan, and taking the fight directly to the radical, socialist Benson–El-Sayed ticket.
From unity events across the state and a national appearance on Hannity to challenging Jocelyn Benson to five debates and taking the stage with Kid Rock in front of more than 20,000 fired-up patriots, James is keeping the momentum going and charging full speed toward November.
James Wins Republican Primary by 15 Despite Being Outspent 6:1
John James decisively won the Republican nomination for Governor Tuesday night and immediately turned his sights toward November with one mission: Defeat Socialism and Save Michigan.
“This November the choice will be clear. We offer freedom. They offer socialism. We offer change. They offer continued decline. We offer common sense. They offer crazy.”
— John James
James didn’t slow down after Election Day, joining fellow Republican candidates Mike Rogers, Tony Forlini, and Doug Lloyd at unity events in Sterling Heights and Grand Rapids on Wednesday and Thursday.
One message is clear: Michigan Republicans are UNITED and ready to win in November.
Taking the Message of Commonsense Over Crazy to the People
John James continues to barnstorm the state from Monroe and Grand Rapids to national television, James laid out the choice voters will face this November: freedom or socialism, change or continued decline, common sense or crazy.
Appearing on Hannity on the Fox News Channel, James warned that Michigan is on the front lines of the fight against Socialism and made clear that the Benson–El-Sayed ticket would take Michigan in the wrong direction.
James will continue traveling across Michigan, meeting voters where they are and making the case for common-sense leadership that lowers costs, creates jobs, protects freedom, and gets Michigan back on track.
Challenges Benson to FIVE Debates
On Thursday, John James challenged Jocelyn Benson to five debates across Michigan, giving voters across the state the opportunity to hear directly from the candidates.
“Michigan voters deserve to hear directly the difference between the Benson–El-Sayed radical socialist extremist plan to continue Michigan’s decline and my common-sense plan to protect freedom and grow jobs.”
— John James
James has already accepted three confirmed debate invitations. Jocelyn Benson, who previously refused to debate James, has already refused at least one of those invitations.
Jocelyn Benson has a lot to answer for.
“Michigan families deserve to know why the SPLC funded the KKK on Jocelyn Benson’s watch, why her family is cashing in on the Saline data center deal, and why she opposes voter ID after 16 foreign nationals were allowed to cast ballots on her watch.”
— John James
Michigan voters deserve to hear directly from her about her time on the SPLC board, her husband’s connection to the Saline data center deal, non-citizens voting and being registered to vote under her watch, racial discrimination lawsuits filed against her, and why the state has been in decline for 8 years, and now ranks 46th out of 50, while she’s been in charge in Lansing.
Introduces Kid Rock to 20,000+ Patriots
To close out a great week, combat veteran John James was named Veteran of Honor and took the stage to salute our veterans and introduce Kid Rock in front of more than 20,000 fired-up patriots at the Rock the Country festival in Hastings, Michigan.
“It is a distinct honor to have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is a distinct honor to serve the state of Michigan as a Congressman. And, it will be my distinct honor to serve as your Governor as the State of Michigan. Let’s fight for our state of Michigan, let’s fight for our great lakes, and let’s fight for Mackinac Island.”
— John James
James Pledges to Protect Girls’ Sports in Michigan
As MHSAA fall sports officially got underway yesterday, James made his position clear: when he is Governor, biological girls will compete against biological girls.
James pledged to protect fair competition, safe locker rooms, and opportunities for female athletes across Michigan in a video posted on X.
“Modern leftists are advocating for a position where biological men can dominate biological women. I fundamentally have a problem with that.”
— John James
For James, the issue is simple: protect our girls, protect fairness, and bring COMMONSENSE back to Michigan.
The choice for November is clear. It is commonsense vs. crazy.
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