Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, dropped out of the GOP gubernatorial primary and announced his decision to join President Donald Trump in his endorsement of U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township.
Nesbitt’s announcement came just hours after Trump waded into the race to declare his support for James.
“This campaign has always been about the people of Michigan and standing with President Trump to defeat the Democrats in November,” Nesbitt wrote in an email to supporters Monday, June 22. “It’s time to unite. I’m asking every one of you who supported this campaign to stand with me behind John James, roll up our sleeves, and deliver a Republican victory in November.”
Before exiting the race, Nesbitt had lagged behind other Republican candidates in the polls and fundraising. Unlike the other candidates, Nesbitt has never run a statewide campaign before. His departure leaves James to face off against former Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson.
Nesbitt’s decision comes after former House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, dropped out of the race earlier and endorsed James. In a post on X, Leonard urged his fellow Republicans to join him, writing that Trump’s endorsement assures a victory for James in the Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary. “Now is the time for Republicans to unite behind his candidacy and focus on winning in November,” Leonard wrote.
Cox and Johnson didn’t heed that call, vowing instead to stay in the race. “Our momentum is strong, and our fight continues,” Cox said in a statement. “I look forward to being President Trump’s favorite governor when I win.” Johnson described Trump’s endorsement as misguided. “If we want a Republican governor in Michigan, defeating John James in this primary is critical. I’ll be working twice as hard to make sure that happens,” Johnson wrote in a Facebook post.
The state’s elections panel in May certified Nesbitt to appear on the August primary ballot. He was the only candidate in the GOP primary running from outside of metro Detroit. He called himself a “farm boy” on the campaign trail and touted his rural agenda for Michigan, addressing a key constituency of the Republican Party.
The Democratic primary features Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The Michigan Democratic Party has described the GOP primary as a “MAGA primary” as the Republican candidates have tried to court the president’s endorsement. Democrats argue that any Republican who emerges from the primary will be tied to Trump, which Democrats view as a liability in the fall’s midterm election.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Aric Nesbitt ends bid for Michigan governor, endorses John James
Reporting by Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Clara Hendrickson, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
