MI-GOV: Johnson (R) says James (R) campaign is 'collapsing' after fundraising text sparks attacks [View all]

Republican gubernatorial candidates U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson are trading blows over a fundraising text sent by the James campaign on Tuesday evening that read, “My campaign could be over,” according to a screenshot posted by Johnson.

In that same tweet, Johnson attacked James as a weak candidate, writing, “His campaign is collapsing as it did when it cost Republicans up and down the ticket in both 2018 and 2020. We cannot allow him to cost Republicans yet again. Please join our campaign to eliminate the income tax, reform property taxes, and hold Jocelyn Benson accountable for her fraud and abuse!”

James’ campaign fired back, saying that Johnson is “so vain, he’s trying to make this text about him.”

“It’s not,” campaign spokesperson Hannah Osantowske wrote in a text. “Team James sent a general election themed fundraising text message showing John in the worst case within the margin of error. The RCP average has him ahead of Benson by 3.5 and Duggan by 16.”



https://michiganadvance.com/2026/04/01/johnson-says-james-campaign-is-collapsing-after-fundraising-text-sparks-attacks/