John
James

1. Economy & jobs Supports phasing out state income tax and cutting spending +

2. Housing Supports faster permitting, lower property taxes to boost housing +

3. Health care Supports price transparency, primary care access, and Medicaid +

4. Immigration Opposes sanctuary policies; supports federal immigration enforcement +

5. Abortion & reproductive rights Pursues anti-abortion legislation despite prior 'settled' comments +

6. Education Supports school choice and federal Education Freedom Scholarship +

7. Climate & energy Supports 'all of the above' energy; would repeal clean-energy mandates +

8. Crime & public safety Pro-law enforcement; end sanctuary cities; target violent offenders +

9. Taxes & budget Plans to phase out Michigan's personal income tax +

10. Guns Strongly supports Second Amendment; open to permitless carry +

11. Democracy & elections Supports voter ID, citizenship verification, and election integrity measures +

12. Foreign policy & defense Supports renewed U.S.-Canada trade talks; mixed record on Iran and Ukraine +

roll call votes

1,909

missed

5.1%

with their party’s majority

91%

Recent key votes

• Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobs

  Retire through Ownership Act

  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Did not vote
• Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energy

  Water Resources Development Act

  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energy

  Ratepayer Protection Act

  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energy

  Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

  On Passage · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safety

  PROOF Act

  On Passage · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safety

  National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

  On Passage · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energy

  Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

  On Passage · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes
• Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budget

  Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

  On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · Passed

  Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
  Yes

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →

1. Oct 11
   poll

   Wedgewood poll: Benson leads James 55%–45% among likely voters

   A Wedgewood poll of 607 likely voters conducted October 8–9 showed Benson ahead by 10 points; margin of error ±4 points. Listed in the New York Times poll tracker on October 11.

   ↳ Latest Governor Polls: Election 2026 - The New York Times · Sep 13, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
2. Oct 10
   news

   Commentary notes James raised just over $7 million vs. Benson's $11.7 million as of August filing

   An October 10 commentary citing an August campaign finance filing reported Benson had raised $11.7 million cumulatively and James just over $7 million. These are secondary figures and should be read with that limitation.

   ↳ The GOP Just Walked Out on John James · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
3. Oct 9
   news

   James tells CNN 'The president is not correct — the economy in Michigan is not booming'

   In a CNN interview, James directly contradicted Trump's description of a booming economy, citing Michigan's rankings on infrastructure, economy, and education while blaming state leadership rather than Trump's trade policies.

   ↳ Michigan GOP candidate for governor: 'The president is not ... · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
4. Oct 7
   news

   Second debate between Benson and James scheduled for October 15 in Detroit

   Following the first debate, campaigns announced a second televised debate set for October 15 in Detroit.

   ↳ Jocelyn Benson, John James set second debate in race to be governor · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
5. Oct 7
   controversy

   James's post-debate comments suggest shift away from statewide data center moratorium

   After the debate, James described his position as a moratorium on state-level action rather than on local communities, which Bridge Michigan reported appeared to move away from a statewide development moratorium.

   ↳ Fact check: John James, Jocelyn Benson debate data centers, tariffs, more - Bridge Michigan · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
6. Oct 6
   endorsement

   Michigan Manufacturers Association endorses John James for governor

   The Michigan Manufacturers Association endorsed James, citing his business experience and manufacturing agenda.

   ↳ News & Events - John James for Michigan · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
7. Oct 6
   controversy

   James accuses Benson of personally benefiting from data center project tied to her husband

   During the debate, James accused Benson of having a personal financial conflict of interest related to a data center project connected to her husband's employment. Benson denied her family profited. The accusation is a campaign claim, not an established finding.

   ↳ Data center feud gets personal at first Benson-James debate · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
8. Oct 6
   debate

   First televised general-election debate held in Grand Rapids between James and Benson

   James and Benson debated tariffs, immigration, data centers, education, and infrastructure. James criticized Trump administration tariffs on Canada and said he did not see a need for ICE presence in Michigan except for violent offenders.

   ↳ Republican John James seeks some distance from Trump in Michigan governor debate · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
9. Oct 5
   news

   James unveils education plan with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves, modeled on Mississippi reforms

   James appeared with Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves to outline an education plan focused on literacy, accountability, parents and teachers, and applying Mississippi-style school reforms to Michigan.

   ↳ News & Events - John James for Michigan · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
10. Oct 5
    news

    Detroit News voter guide covers where James and Benson stand on 26 issues

    The Detroit News published a voter guide detailing the positions of both gubernatorial candidates on 26 issues ahead of the November 3 general election.

    ↳ Where Michigan's 2026 candidates for governor stand on 26 issues · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
11. Oct 4
    controversy

    James campaign scrubs prominent Trump imagery from online presence after primary

    Reuters reported that images of Trump that had been prominent on James's campaign pages before the August primary had disappeared afterward, reflecting a repositioning in the general election.

    ↳ James campaign scrubs some online elements of Trump support · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
12. Oct 1
    poll

    Mitchell Research poll: Benson leads James 46%–39% among likely voters

    A Mitchell Research & Communications poll of 682 likely voters showed Benson ahead by 7 points, with 9% undecided; margin of error ±3.8 points.

    ↳ Jocelyn Benson leads John James in Michigan gubernatorial poll · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
13. Sep 29
    news

    James calls on Lansing to suspend Michigan's gas tax

    James called for the suspension of Michigan's gas tax, later saying on October 1: 'Democrats in Lansing can suspend the gas tax today and they are choosing not to. Your pain is their plan.'

    ↳ News & Events - John James for Michigan · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
14. Sep 23
    controversy

    Fact check examines James's link to data center tax breaks and donations

    Bridge Michigan published a fact check examining connections between James, data center tax breaks, and campaign donations.

    ↳ Fact check: John James' link to data center tax breaks ... · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
15. Sep 22
    news

    James proposes fully funding police and holding violent criminals accountable

    The James campaign outlined a public safety plan focused on fully funding police departments and increasing accountability for violent offenders.

    ↳ News & Events - John James for Michigan · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
16. Sep 17
    news

    James announces energy plan to lower costs and hold utilities accountable

    The James campaign announced an energy policy plan it said would lower energy costs, increase transparency, and hold utilities accountable. Specific provisions were not detailed in available materials.

    ↳ News & Events - John James for Michigan · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
17. Sep 16
    controversy

    James says he will 'always put Michigan first,' distancing himself from Trump worship

    James stated: 'I can agree with the president without worshiping him. I can disagree with the president without attacking him. And I will always put Michigan first.'

    ↳ James campaign scrubs some online elements of Trump support · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
18. Sep 12
    poll

    Emerson poll: Benson leads James 49%–42% among likely voters

    An Emerson College poll conducted September 12–14 of 1,000 likely voters showed Benson ahead of James by 7 points, with 6% undecided; margin of error ±3 points.

    ↳ Michigan 2026 Poll: El-Sayed and Rogers Locked in Close Election - Emerson Polling · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
19. Aug 24
    filing

    Michigan Board of Canvassers certifies August 4 primary results

    The state Board of Canvassers officially certified the August 4 primary results, confirming James as the Republican nominee.

    ↳ Michigan 2026 General Election Guide: Candidates & Ballot · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
20. Aug 4
    filing

    John James wins Republican gubernatorial primary with 50% of the vote

    James defeated Perry Johnson (35%) to secure the Republican nomination for Michigan governor.

    ↳ James campaign scrubs some online elements of Trump support · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

• Aric Nesbitt, Michigan Senate Republican leader official
  Nesbitt withdrew from the governor's race and endorsed James following Trump's endorsement in June 2026; exact date not established in sources. johnjamesmi.com
• William Federspiel, Saginaw County Sheriff official
  ABC12 reported his endorsement on October 7, 2026. abc12.com · Oct 7, 2026
• Michigan Manufacturers Association organization
  The association's board voted to endorse James after reviewing the candidates; announced October 6, 2026. mimfg.org · Oct 6, 2026
• Lansing Regional Chamber Political Action Committee (LRC-PAC) organization
  LRC-PAC endorsed James for the November general election, announced September 25, 2026. lansingchamber.org · Sep 25, 2026
• The Detroit News editorial board newspaper
  Editorial endorsement posted September 18, 2026, for the article dated September 17, 2026. detroitnews.com · Sep 17, 2026
• Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General official
  Listed as an endorser in the James campaign release by July 21, 2026, after dropping out of the primary. Also reported by the New York Post. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 21, 2026
• Tom Leonard, former Michigan House Speaker official
  Listed as an endorser in the James campaign release by July 21, 2026, after dropping out of the primary. Also reported by the New York Post. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 21, 2026
• Tim Walberg, U.S. Representative official
  James campaign announcement dated July 6, 2026, calls for Republican unity behind President Trump's choice. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 6, 2026
• Americans for Prosperity organization
  Listed among supporters in the James campaign release dated July 6; exact endorsement date not specified. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 2, 2026
• Lisa McClain, U.S. Representative official
  Listed among those who backed James after Trump's endorsement in the James campaign release dated July 6. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 2, 2026
• Fraternal Order of Police of Michigan union
  Listed among supporters in the James campaign release dated July 6; exact endorsement date not specified. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 2, 2026
• Matt Hall, Michigan House Speaker official
  Announced July 2, 2026; campaign page dated July 6. Hall's endorsement is quoted in the James campaign release. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 2, 2026
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan organization
  Listed among supporters in the James campaign release dated July 6; exact endorsement date not specified. johnjamesmi.com · Jul 2, 2026
• President Donald Trump official
  Trump endorsed James for the Republican nomination for Michigan governor, as reported by The Detroit News. detroitnews.com · Jun 22, 2026
• Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner (former U.S. representative and former Michigan secretary of state) official
  James campaign announcement dated June 2, 2026. johnjamesmi.com · Jun 2, 2026
• Police Officers Association of Michigan (POAM) union
  James campaign announcement dated May 26, 2026. johnjamesmi.com · May 26, 2026
• Northern Michigan officials and local leaders: U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman; state Sen. Michele Hoitenga; state Reps. Ken Borton, Mike Hoadley, and Curt VanderWall; Otsego County Commissioner Jon Turnbull; Gaylord Police Chief Frank Claeys official
  James campaign announcement dated April 22, 2026, names all endorsers. johnjamesmi.com · Apr 22, 2026

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.