The president's endorsement power was put to the test in Michigan's GOP gubernatorial nomination showdown, and Donald Trump emerged victorious as Republican Rep. John James topped multimillionaire businessman Perry Johnson to win the primary.
James, a two-time U.S. Senate nominee in Michigan, was endorsed by Trump in late June and will face off in a high-stakes general election battle with two-term Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democrats' gubernatorial nominee.
The GOP primary between James and Johnson turned combative, with Johnson referring to James as a "DEI candidate" and accusing him of playing the "race card." James responded by calling Johnson "desperate." Despite being dramatically outspent by Johnson, James told Fox News on the eve of the primary that "nobody outworks a ranger," and "money isn't the only thing."
The brute force of the president's endorsement power has been on display in GOP primaries this spring and summer, with his candidates ousting incumbents in Indiana, Kentucky, and Texas. However, Trump's endorsement streak was snapped in early June when his last-minute endorsement of Republican Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa wasn't enough to propel the three-term congressman to victory.
Trump-backed candidates won two of the three top races in key GOP primary runoff elections in Georgia and Alabama in June, but suffered a setback in Alabama against billionaire businessman Rick Jackson. A week later, Trump-backed first-time candidate Anthony Constantino defeated Robert Smullen in the upstate New York race to succeed retiring GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik.
In South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial runoff, Trump's candidate, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, won a landslide victory. The president also enjoyed victory in Louisiana, where Sen. Bill Cassidy was ousted as he sought renomination. Trump-backed Rep. Julia Letlow ended up winning the nomination in the runoff election.
Trump's endorsement power continued to show its strength last month, as Trump-backed Rep. Andy Biggs won Arizona's primary for governor in a landslide. The president's ability to influence Republican primaries remains a significant force in the party's nomination process.
The outcome of the Michigan primary marks a significant victory for Trump, who has been a key player in shaping the Republican Party's nomination process. As the general election battle heats up, James will face off against Benson in a high-stakes showdown for the governor's seat.
