Despite Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s delusional declaration as she jets off to Europe for yet another boondoggle, Michigan is not “open for business.”
After nearly eight years of Democratic rule in Lansing, the state’s business climate is unwelcoming to investors and job creators. Business-hostile policies have led Michigan to the bottom of national rankings of economic and education performance. The worst part is that there’s no turn-around plan in place, nor any apparent recognition that one is needed.
Democrats have had their chance to lead Michigan, and instead they’ve walked it off the dock. A change in direction is essential to the state’s future well-being.
Producing that change starts with nominating a Republican candidate for governor who can prevail in the fall election.
Three Republicans are competing in the Aug. 4 primary: Oakland County businessman Perry Johnson, former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia and Congressman John James, who currently represents the 10th District, which covers portions of Oakland and Macomb counties.
Of the group, James and Cox offer the best hope of beating the Democratic nominee in November.
Both are experienced and well-qualified to run the state. They are similarly positioned on most issues. And each has a statewide base of support.
They both have set as their No. 1 priority fixing the schools, which currently rank 44th nationally in student achievement. James and Cox say they will opt in to the Federal Education Tax Credit, which Whitmer so far has not embraced.
James is touting a Parents’ Bill of Rights to restore parental authority over how and what their children are taught, and clarify that matters of gender and sexuality should be addressed at home, not in the classroom.
Cox would prioritize early literacy and focus on accountability by restoring the A-F grading system for schools.
On economic development, James, whose family runs a logistics company, would focus on prioritizing growing businesses that are already in place in Michigan and brownfield redevelopment.
Cox supports a DOGE-style approach to eliminating red tape in government permitting and attacking fraud and waste.
Both candidates advocate for tax reform and have called for phasing out the state’s levy on income.
They have compelling personal histories deeply tied to Michigan and are motivated to make the state a place where their children and grandchildren can live and prosper.
It is not policy that separates them. We are confident that either candidate would govern in a way that reenergizes the state and sets it on a healthier course.
The decision of who to select in this race, then, comes down to who can give Michigan the best chance for change by winning in November.
Mike Cox won two state-wide elections for attorney general in 2002 and 2006. He ran unsuccessfully for the gubernatorial nomination in 2010, a primary contest in which we endorsed him.
John James lost two bids for the U.S. Senate, in 2018 to Sen. Debbie Stabenow and in 2020, to Sen. Gary Peters in a very close race. He won his congressional seat in 2022 and successfully defended it in 2024.
James has spent more time in the statewide and national spotlights in recent years than Cox, a former prosecutor who has worked as an attorney since leaving public office. Again, Cox is a very attractive and competent candidate.
But Michigan’s governor’s race will be a target of both national political parties, and enormous amounts of outside money will pour into the state.
John James, who recently intensified his campaigning after a slow start, is best positioned to exploit that national interest and win in November, returning Michigan to conservative leadership. He gets our endorsement in the Republican primary.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: GOP primary voters must look toward victory in November
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
