President Donald Trump waded into key races in Michigan ahead of the Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary, claiming some big wins and one big flop.
While Democrats gear up for a midterm election they cast as a referendum on Trump’s presidency, Republicans running in battleground Michigan have embraced Trump and his agenda and characterized the Democratic ticket as radical.
Although Trump lost his 2020 reelection bid, he won the state in the 2016 and 2024 presidential elections.
Here’s a look at how the president’s picks fared:
Michigan’s race for governor
Trump-backed U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, defeated businessman Perry Johnson in Michigan’s GOP gubernatorial primary. Trump endorsed James just before absentee ballots began hitting voters’ mailboxes.
While Johnson fought James in a bitter one-on-one battle, James’ other opponents ended their bids and followed in the president’s footsteps with their support for James. James is set to face Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic Primary winner Jocelyn Benson in the November election.
Michigan’s U.S. Senate race
Trump has endorsed former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, of White Lake, in Michigan’s competitive U.S. Senate race. Rogers went uncontested in the GOP primary. Rogers is set to face former public health official and Democratic progressive Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated moderate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham.
Rogers also ran with Trump’s endorsement in 2024 when he narrowly lost to then-U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, of Holly.
Michigan’s congressional races
Trump weighed in on two congressional GOP primaries that didn’t have a Republican incumbent seeking reelection.
In an election oddity, Trump endorsed Amir Hassan for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, who lost to Thomas Smith, a Republican who had suspended his campaign ahead of the primary. The seat is currently held by incumbent U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, who is running for reelection.
But Trump-backed Mike Bouchard, an Army National Guard captain and the son of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, won his GOP primary for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, which James left open with his run for governor. He is set to face Warren lawyer and prosecutor Christina Hines, a Democrat.
Trump endorsed every incumbent congressional Republican seeking reelection. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, of Caledonia; U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, of Tipton; U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, of Charlotte, and U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, of Bruce Township, didn’t face any competition in their respective primaries. But Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, of Watersmeet, and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, of Holland Township, fended off primary challenges.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: How Trump-endorsed candidates fared in Michigan’s primary
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
