John James is a West Point graduate and military veteran who served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer. He earned a master's degree in supply chain management from Penn State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan. He resides in Shelby Township, Michigan, with his wife and three sons.

John previously led his family's automotive supply chain business, James Group International.

John James (Michigan) - Ballotpedia

John currently serves as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th Congressional District, having first been elected to the office in 2022. He is running as a Republican candidate for Governor of Michigan in the 2026 election.

2026 Michigan General Election

2026 Michigan Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

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Supports phasing out the income tax in Michigan.

Plans to audit state government expenditures, eliminate "wasteful" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and ensure fiscal responsibility for the benefit of Michigan families.

As a U.S. Army Reserve, secured basing of F-15EX fighter jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, creating hundreds of jobs in Macomb County.

Said, "I’m the only candidate in this race who’s actually cut your taxes."

Supports the Trump administration's "No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime" policies.

- Supports phasing out the income tax in Michigan.
- Plans to audit state government expenditures, eliminate "wasteful" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and ensure fiscal responsibility for the benefit of Michigan families.
- As a U.S. Army Reserve, secured basing of F-15EX fighter jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, creating hundreds of jobs in Macomb County.
- Opposes property taxes.
- Said, "I’m the only candidate in this race who’s actually cut your taxes."
- Supports the Trump administration's "No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime" policies.

Economy

Proposes establishing an independent commission to audit all COVID-era enforcement actions, including citations, license suspensions, and shutdowns.

Supports refunding or canceling fines for small businesses that were penalized under COVID-19 mandates.

Opposes policies that restrict access to guns.

- Proposes establishing an independent commission to audit all COVID-era enforcement actions, including citations, license suspensions, and shutdowns.
- Supports refunding or canceling fines for small businesses that were penalized under COVID-19 mandates.
- Opposes policies that restrict access to guns.

Public Safety

GOP rivals rage as John James misses governor debate to vote in ...

Advocates for requiring parental consent for all medical treatments administered to minor children.

Supports rolling back confidentiality protections for minors in medical settings, ensuring parents have access to their children's full medical records.

- Advocates for requiring parental consent for all medical treatments administered to minor children.
- Supports rolling back confidentiality protections for minors in medical settings, ensuring parents have access to their children's full medical records.

Healthcare

Plans to pursue a constitutional amendment to make the Governor directly accountable for Michigan’s education outcomes.

Supports "literacy-based promotion" by restoring Michigan’s 3rd grade reading retention law.

Supports vocational training, saying "Every student not headed to college or military service will graduate with a trade certification, professional license, or career-ready portfolio."

Supports pay increases, performance bonuses, and public recognition for great teachers.

Opposes the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports, restrooms, and locker rooms designated for women.

Plans to bring mentors from the trades and private sector into schools and support innovation built around the real needs of young men.

Supports mandating civics education, including the Pledge of Allegiance, a civics test, and debate, in Michigan schools.

- Plans to expand charter school options.
- Plans to pursue a constitutional amendment to make the Governor directly accountable for Michigan’s education outcomes.
- Supports "literacy-based promotion" by restoring Michigan’s 3rd grade reading retention law.
- Supports vocational training, saying "Every student not headed to college or military service will graduate with a trade certification, professional license, or career-ready portfolio."
- Supports pay increases, performance bonuses, and public recognition for great teachers.
- Opposes the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports, restrooms, and locker rooms designated for women.
- Plans to bring mentors from the trades and private sector into schools and support innovation built around the real needs of young men.
- Supports mandating civics education, including the Pledge of Allegiance, a civics test, and debate, in Michigan schools.

Education

As of May 1, 2026, John James’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Opposes undocumented immigration and supports "[ending] the Biden Visa Waiver Program," stating it has been "abused to facilitate illegal entry into [the] nation."

Opposes open border policies created under the Biden administration.

Said, "The United States is a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. The millions of illegal migrants pouring through our borders and legal immigration are two separate issues."

Believes sanctuary cities, cities that prohibit local police and government officials from enforcing federal immigration laws, are illegal and must be de-funded.

- Opposes undocumented immigration and supports "[ending] the Biden Visa Waiver Program," stating it has been "abused to facilitate illegal entry into [the] nation."
- Opposes open border policies created under the Biden administration.
- Said, "The United States is a nation of immigrants, but we are also a nation of laws. The millions of illegal migrants pouring through our borders and legal immigration are two separate issues."
- Believes sanctuary cities, cities that prohibit local police and government officials from enforcing federal immigration laws, are illegal and must be de-funded.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports the "Citizens Only Voting Amendment," which would mandate U.S. citizenship for voting in Michigan elections, require voter identification at polls, and enforce regular reviews of voter rolls to eliminate ineligible voters.

- Supports the "Citizens Only Voting Amendment," which would mandate U.S. citizenship for voting in Michigan elections, require voter identification at polls, and enforce regular reviews of voter rolls to eliminate ineligible voters.

Voting & Elections

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John James

- Proposes establishing an independent commission to audit all COVID-era enforcement actions, including citations, license suspensions, and shutdowns.
- Supports refunding or canceling fines for small businesses that were penalized under COVID-19 mandates.

- Supports phasing out the income tax in Michigan.
- Plans to audit state government expenditures, eliminate "wasteful" diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) programs, and ensure fiscal responsibility for the benefit of Michigan families.
- As a U.S. Army Reserve, secured basing of F-15EX fighter jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, creating hundreds of jobs in Macomb County.

Youtube

John is a Congressman. He works at the U.S. House of Representatives as the representative for Michigan’s 10th District, where he has been since 2022. He previously worked as the president of James Group International and served in the U.S. Army as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer from 2004 to 2012.

Supports phasing out the state income tax by cutting waste and restructuring state spending.

Plans to conduct a comprehensive audit of state government expenditures, eliminate wasteful DEI and ESG programs, and ensure every dollar is effectively utilized for Michigan families.

For Candidate John James on Issue economy:  
Secured the basing of F-15EX fighter jets at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs and a generational investment to Macomb County.

Supports opting Michigan into the Federal K-12 Education Freedom Tax Credit, expanding charter school options, and embracing innovation in education.

For Candidate John James on Issue education:  
Aims to pursue a constitutional amendment to make the Governor directly accountable for Michigan's education outcomes.

Supports restoring Michigan’s 3rd grade reading retention law, using physical textbooks, and banning cellphones in classrooms to focus on basic educational principles.

Supports ensuring that every student not headed to college or military service graduates with a trade certification, professional license, or career-ready portfolio.

Wants to reward great teachers with pay increases, performance bonuses, and public recognition, and reduce barriers for professionals to bring real-world knowledge into classrooms.

Supports restoring civics education in Michigan, including a mandatory civics test and debate, to ensure students understand American values and their responsibilities.

Supports Michigan’s most enforceable Parents’ Bill of Rights.

Supports the Citizens Only Voting Amendment, which would require only U.S. citizens to vote in Michigan elections, mandate voter ID at the polls, and require regular review of voter rolls to remove ineligible voters.

John James is from Michigan. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. He and his wife, Elizabeth, have three children together.

Rep. John James delivers his petitions to appear on Republican ...

John previously served as a U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district from 2021 to 2023. He ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020 but did not win.

Plans to "conduct a comprehensive audit of all state government expenditures, eliminate wasteful DEI and ESG programs, and put every dollar to work for Michigan families."

Supports literacy-based promotion and plans to "restore Michigan’s 3rd grade reading retention law."

Supports targeted interventions for struggling students, wraparound services for those needing extra help, and year-round instruction to combat absenteeism and behavioral issues, in collaboration with parents and teachers.

Supports pay increases, performance bonuses, and public recognition for teachers.

Opposes the inclusion of transgender individuals in sports, restrooms, and locker rooms designated for females.

Supports mandating a civics test and debate in Michigan schools to ensure students understand "what America is, why it matters, and their duty to secure the blessings of liberty..."

Supports measures to enhance election security, restore trust, and ensure fairness and accountability.

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- The governor is the highest-ranking executive official in Michigan and serves as the head of the executive branch of state government.
- The governor enforces state laws, oversees executive agencies, and supervises all principal departments of the state government.
- The governor has the power to sign or veto legislation, including a line-item veto to reject specific parts of spending bills.
- The governor is elected statewide to serve a four-year term and is limited to two terms in a lifetime. Candidates must be at least 30 years old and a registered voter in Michigan for at least four years before the election.
- The governor receives a salary of approximately $159,300 per year.

The state’s chief executive who leads government and enforces state laws.