Mike Cox drops out of Michigan governor race, endorses John James

Mike Cox ends his campaign for Michigan governor, throwing his support to John James
Cox said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of James in late June closed the door on any hope of victory
Only James and Perry Johnson remain in what had been a crowded GOP field

Former attorney general Mike Cox is ending his campaign for Michigan governor and backing US Rep. John James, his campaign announced Friday evening.

Cox said President Donald Trump’s endorsement of James in late June closed the door on any hope of victory.

“While I did not fully appreciate it then, that endorsement placed him out of reach in a three-way Republican primary race,” Cox said in a statement. “That is the power of President Trump, and it is a testament to the enduring loyalty of Republican primary voters in Michigan to the president.”

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Cox’s exit turns the Aug. 4 GOP primary into a two-man contest between James and businessman Perry Johnson. The winner faces the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 general election. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is leading all polls against Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

James and Johnson praised Cox after the announcement. James said Cox’s endorsement was “exactly the kind of unity we need to win in November.”

Cox’s decision comes late in the primary season. Absentee ballots were mailed to voters in late June, meaning some votes have likely already been cast for Cox.

Last week, Cox joined Johnson in repeatedly attacking James in two acrimonious GOP debates, calling him a “nepo baby” and accused him of using his family business to assist China.

“You did a fantastic job eloquently describing why John James should never be the governor of Michigan and would be horrible as our nominee,” Johnson said, urging his supporters to “unite behind our campaign.”

Serving two terms as attorney general from 2003 to 2011, Cox frequently cited his statewide electoral wins as evidence he could carry Michigan in November.

“I’m a Marine. I’m the son of immigrants. I’m a homicide prosecutor. I was an attorney general, and I’m the only person who’s actually won statewide,” Cox said during last Thursday’s gubernatorial debate. “I know how to get it done because I’m the son of (the) working class. I’m not the son of the CEO class.”

Dennis Lennox, a Republican political consultant, said Cox supporters are more likely to break for Johnson despite Cox’s endorsement of James, the perceived frontrunner.

“There’s no doubt that Mike Cox’s voters are against John James, while they line up with John James and line up with Donald Trump on many or all of the same issues, they’ve deliberately chosen not to support James,” Lennox said, arguing a lack of funds was a key weakness for Cox in a campaign where spending has already crested $50 million.

Like Johnson, Cox poured several million dollars of his wealth into his campaign. The first campaign financial disclosures of 2026, set to be filed in a week, will offer more insight into the extent of his spending.

Cox cited polling as the key indicator in his decision to end his campaign. One controversial survey conducted prior to Trump’s endorsement indicated he was just 1 percentage point behind James, while another poll from the same month showed him more than 18 points behind him.

Cox’s decision to drop out appears sudden. An hour before the announcement, a Bridge reporter was speaking with Cox’s campaign manager about events for next week. Just a few days ago, Cox told WJR that he wouldn’t drop out and suggested James should instead exit the race.

The Detroit News reported Friday that Trump is considering holding a pre-primary rally in Michigan ahead of the election, which would present a high-profile opportunity for James to showcase the endorsement.

In bowing out, Cox promised to work hard to elect James and the Republican slate.

“We need them and the whole Republican team to win and roll back the last eight years of despair, distress, and decline and return Michigan to greatness,” Cox said. “The stakes are simply too high.”