Lansing — A Michigan judge decided Thursday morning that Republican candidate for governor John James will have to stop, at least for now, using a campaign logo that might indicate to voters that he’s the incumbent.
Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Wanda Stokes sided with GOP candidate Perry Johnson of Bloomfield Hills, who had sought a preliminary injunction against James, Johnson’s adviser, John Yob, said on X.
“Perry Johnson won the injunction stopping the James campaign from continuing to break the law with the deception that James is some sort of de facto nominee or incumbent,” Yob wrote. “He is not.”
Johnson’s campaign sued James in April, focusing on a logo frequently used by James’ team that features the words “John James governor,” along with a helicopter and an American flag. James was a helicopter pilot in the military.
Michigan law bans candidates from using materials that give the false impression that they’re the incumbent. A violation is a misdemeanor.
Charlie Spies, an attorney who is representing James in the litigation, suggested an appeal of the Thursday decision is likely.
“Perry Johnson is the only person confused about who the governor of Michigan is,” Spies said. “We believe the cited statute is not consistent with Supreme Court precedent and the Court of Appeals will confirm that.”
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has been the governor of Michigan since 2019. She can’t run for reelection because of constitutional term limits.
It wasn’t immediately clear how quickly James would alter the logo or whether an appeal would be immediately filed.
The phrase ‘John James Governor,’ without qualifying language “John James for Governor,” reasonably conveys to voters that James is the current governor, the Johnson lawsuit had contended. Johnson’s campaign is being represented by former attorney general candidate Matt DePerno.
Republican voters will pick their party’s nominee through a primary election on Aug. 4.
Former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township and longtime pastor Ralph Rebandt of Elmira are also seeking the Republican nomination.
cmauger@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Judge rules for Perry Johnson in John James logo fight
Reporting by Craig Mauger, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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