John James addresses the Detroit Economic Club meeting during the second debate against Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow in Detroit, Mich., October 15, 2018. (Rebecca Cook/Reuters)
President Donald Trump's handpicked candidate to be Michigan's next governor is running into unexpected headwinds just days before the primary.
According to a report from Politico, GOP "rising star" Rep. John James (R-MI) was expected to have smooth sailing to the nomination, but an insurgent campaign by businessman Perry Johnson has thrown a wrench in the works.
Republican Party officials across Michigan are expressing concerns about James, with Oakland County GOP Chair Vance Patrick endorsing upstart businessman Perry Johnson in the closing weeks and telling Politico, "I think you're gonna be surprised when this race comes down," Patrick said. "It's getting really interesting."
Politico is reporting, "But state party officials and grassroots activists have also shared publicly and privately a litany of complaints about James: resentment over too many debates missed early on in the campaign, not enough visits to specific parts of the state, frustration over him giving away a battleground House seat Democrats are targeting this cycle to run for a new job after losing two previous statewide elections."
The intra-party conflict emerges at a critical moment for Michigan Republicans seeking to challenge Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's statewide dominance.
Hassan Nehme, a former Michigan GOP vice chair and current state legislative candidate, noted James has a major hurdle to clear: "There's a large amount of Republicans that do not like him."
The Johnson campaign has escalated personal attacks against James throughout the race. Johnson referred to James, the sole Black candidate in the race, as a "DEI candidate" and accused him of playing the "race card" during a recent debate, with James calling his opponent "desperate."
The campaign has also promoted unsubstantiated rumors about James' personal life, reposting social media attacks without providing evidence.
Daire Rendon, Michigan's 1st District Republican Party chair covering the Upper Peninsula and northern regions, warned James that he's to blame for the last-minute scramble.
"We don't see John James much. [Voters] are going to gravitate towards candidates who spend time learning about [the Upper Peninsula], and who show up."