Perry Johnson to Run for Michigan Governor

Businessman Perry Johnson announced on Monday that he intends to run for governor of Michigan.

“I’m running for governor of Michigan. My business experience has increased quality and efficiency, which helped save the auto industry. By bringing that same efficiency and accountability to our state government, I believe we can offer better services at a lower cost,” he stated in a post on X.

In his post, Johnson criticized the current state government, declaring it “pathetic.”

His campaign website reveals that he is in favor of eliminating Michigan’s state income tax.

Johnson previously ran for president in 2023 but dropped out to support President Donald Trump.

Trump acknowledged Johnson in a post on Truth Social, describing him as a “great businessman who has had great success.”

In 2022, Johnson aimed for the Republican gubernatorial nomination in Michigan but was disqualified in the primary.

Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is currently in her second term and cannot run again.

Johnson is entering a competitive Republican primary, competing against individuals such as former state Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, and state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.

Sam Newton, the communications director for the Democratic Governors Association, criticized Johnson’s candidacy, labeling him one of the “extreme and outrageous” candidates in Michigan’s turbulent Republican primary. He pointed to Johnson’s prior support of Trump’s policies and his significant spending on his last defeated gubernatorial campaign.