James Surges in Michigan GOP Governor Race

0:00It's April 23rd. Welcome to U.S. News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Michigan's Republican Governor, primary, just got a shake up. Former House Speaker Tom Linner dropped out of the race Thursday morning, paving the way for two-term rep. John James to solidify his lead heading. Into the August 4th, 2026, showdown. James is now the clear frontrunner, pulling 41% in a fresh on-message poll of likely GOP primary voters. That's way ahead of businessman Perry Johnson at 18% with former Attorney General Mike Cox at 7% and Senate GOP leader Eric, Nesbitt at 5%. Party Insider say James has been building strong backing from activists and local groups statewide. Meanwhile, he's spending off a $10 million attack ad blitz from Johnson, who tried painting him as anti-Trump, despite James's tight ties to the former president and his full support in past races. Johnson's own history bites back here. He challenged Trump in the 2024

1:02Republican primary and criticized him publicly. That negative push seems to have flopped hard, only boosting James higher in the polls. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson looks set to clinch her nomination, while ex-detroit mayor Mike Duggan, eyes and independent, run. If James grabs the GOP nod, he'd make history as Michigan's first Black Republican gubernatorial candidate since 1986, turning this into a must-watch national contest.