Well, here we go, I thought, another ho-hum day in the state of Michigan, but occasionally things happen that can pop out of the blue, even for those who live and breathe in the political world. Of course, I'm talking about myself, not anyone else, but it applies to almost everyone else.
Yesterday, while I was at lunch, I happened to turn on the radio and caught an interview with my current elected congressman, Mr. John James (MI-10). He was making the rounds because he had recently gained the endorsement of a very important person, who currently occupies the White House.
The official endorsement on Truth Social by President Donald Trump:
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!
A West Point Graduate, Combat Pilot, Brave Iraq War Veteran, Successful Businessman and Job Creator, and now, as a Highly Respected U.S. Congressman, John has proven he has the Courage and Wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State, and our Nation. As your next Governor, John will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Safeguard our Elections, Defend our always under siege Second Amendment, and Advocate for the Working Men and Women of Michigan.
John James has my Complete and Total Endorsement to be the next Governor of Michigan — HE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!
My colleague Becky Noble also hit this up yesterday.
READ MORE: Michigan GOP Candidate John James Gets the Midas Touch Trump Endorsement As Rival Exits Race.
So that should be all that needs to be done, right? Welllll, Ummmmmmm.
INCORRECT.
Michigan is not as simple as some people would say or as they hope it should be.
Michigan is now a blue state.
Yet some people will say, "What do you mean Michigan is now a blue state?" And I have a very simple and also disappointing reason for saying that.
If Donald Trump is on the top of the ticket, you have a shot at things going red. If he is not, which he will never again be, Michigan is a blue state. I'm truly sorry that some people want to say the opposite of that, yet the numbers based on the past 30 years of elections do not show that opinion to be correct.
The last time Michigan sent a Republican to the United States Senate was back in 1994. That will be 32 years ago in November.
The last time we had an ACTUAL conservative governor elected in this state was 1998, when John Engler was elected for his last and final term. If you are following along at home, that means we are almost at 30 years since that occurred.
For those who want to try to pass Rick Snyder off as a conservative Republican, I find you adorable. Snyder ran as a Republican, but conservative he was not, and among several other things (Flint water crisis), some other things will be left off to the side, which I can explain in another post.
So Michigan is a blue state, and the minute that the Michigan GOP and others realize that you can actually start to develop a plan to possibly win narrow victories that will change the landscape here for the better of us all.
However, before you actually win, you have to realize what the issue is and attack it.
So, where exactly does that leave conservatives in Michigan?
Great question.
The state will actually hold primaries in August of this year to select candidates not only for Governor, but also for the United States Senate. John James just got the nod from Trump in the governor's race, and Mike Rogers gained the President's endorsement in the United States Senate contest months ago.
James still has opposition with the former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and journeyman Perry Johnson running for the GOP nomination.
According to a story I found from yesterday, this endorsement by Trump should put James over the top...
James currently represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District in the suburbs north of Detroit and has emerged as the early Republican frontrunner. A TIPP Insights poll conducted May 20 to May 23 among 555 likely voters found James leading with 31% support, ahead of former Attorney General Mike Cox at 20%, businessman Perry Johnson at 19% and state Senate GOP Leader Aric Nesbitt at 3%. Notably, 31% of respondents remained undecided. Other surveys showed similar results. A Mitchell Research poll conducted May 1 to May 7 found James at 32%, while a Glengariff Group survey conducted April 21 to April 24 put him at 37%.
I could not find anything polling-wise since the Trump endorsement was announced, but the President still has enormous pull in the rank and file of the Grand Old Party, and I am led to believe it will hold here.
Even if James wins in the primary (which I think it is now safe to say he will), the general election will be another whole issue. The Democrats are poised to run Jocelyn Benson, who happens to be the current Secretary of State and who is in charge of overseeing elections in this state.
This will not be easy, but the real question is, can it be done?
I'm hoping that I will be able to in the next couple of days, to talk with folks in the know here in the state, and be told it can and will be done.
My fingers are crossed.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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