Michigan Governor Race Updates: Meet the Candidates

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MIKE COX

Campaign Website: mikecox2026.com
Finance Filings: Michigan Bureau of Elections “MiTN” portal

Cox’s campaign biography describes him as a former U.S. Marine Corps infantry rifleman and two-term Michigan Attorney General (elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006). The campaign states he prosecuted violent crime, attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate and law school, and later built a private law practice. The campaign biography also states he is married to Laura Cox, described as a former ICE special agent, and that they are parents of four children (with one child identified as a Marine and another as a Naval officer) and grandparents to two.

• A finance roundup based on Michigan campaign finance reporting (as of that article’s filing cutoff) reported Cox leading the Republican gubernatorial field with approximately $3.78M cash on hand, and also reported a $2M personal loan/check to his campaign.

• A published write-up of a Mitchell Research (MIRS-sponsored) survey reported the GOP primary standing as: John James 48%, Mike Cox 11%, Tom Leonard 5%, Aric Nesbitt 2%, Ralph Rebandt 1%, Undecided 33%.

• Eliminating Michigan’s 4.25% individual income tax (framed as eliminating the “tax on work”).
• School choice / “education freedom” language.
• Rolling back DEI-related bureaucracy (“dismantling the DEI bureaucracy” is stated on his issues page).
• State-government efficiency initiative framed using “DOGE” terminology.
• Has publicly described restoring Michigan’s Right to Work law as part of his platform.

• During Cox’s tenure as Attorney General, public media reporting describes his office suing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan over disputes involving BCBS actions and transfers tied to for-profit subsidiaries.

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JOHN JAMES

Campaign Website: johnjamesmi.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

James’ campaign biography describes him as a “decorated combat veteran” and the sitting Congressman for Michigan’s 10th District (Macomb and Oakland Counties). It states he is a West Point graduate who served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer, including leading Apache helicopter platoons in Operation Iraqi Freedom and logging “over 750 combat hours,” earning a Combat Action Badge and two Air Medals. The campaign says he returned home to lead his family’s business (James Group International), growing revenue and creating “over 100 Michigan jobs,” and cites graduate degrees from Penn State (supply chain) and the University of Michigan (MBA). The bio also states he resides in Shelby Township with his wife Elizabeth and their three sons, and frames his gubernatorial run around affordability, education, economic opportunity, and public safety.

• A Michigan campaign-finance roundup reported (through the referenced filing cutoff) that James had raised $3,651,321 total, spent $1,379,814, and reported $2,271,507 cash on hand.
• For the July 21–Oct. 20 reporting window, James raised $187,083.

• Mitchell Research / MIRS (Nov. 18–21, 2025): John James 48%, Mike Cox 11%, Tom Leonard 5%, Aric Nesbitt 2%, Ralph Rebandt 1%, Undecided 33%.

• Three Pillars: Trade & Manufacturing; Energy & Environment; Defending Freedom.
• Priorities: Affordability (housing, taxes, healthcare), fully funding law enforcement, cutting “job-killing” regulations, and auditing “wasteful DEI programs.”

• The U.S. House’s official history lists James as born in Southfield (June 8, 1981), a West Point graduate (B.S., 2004) with graduate degrees from Penn State and U of M. Served in the U.S. Army (2004–2012), Republican nominee for U.S. Senate (2018, 2020), and elected to the U.S. House (took office Jan. 3, 2023).

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ARIC NESBITT

Campaign Website: nesbittforgovernor.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

Nesbitt’s campaign bio describes him as having been raised on his family’s sixth-generation dairy and grape farm in Lawton, Michigan, with an emphasis on work ethic, patriotism, and conservative values. The bio states he paid his way through Hillsdale College, earned an economics degree, and later earned a master’s degree in international business. The campaign describes his legislative record as focused on balancing budgets, lowering taxes, slashing regulations, and defending family values, and identifies him as the Republican Leader in the Michigan Senate opposing Whitmer-era policies. The campaign also emphasizes alignment with President Trump and “America First” themes. It states he lives in Porter Township with his wife Trisha and that they are raising three children.

• As of Oct. 20, 2025: Raised $2,722,725; Spent $616,869; Cash on hand $2,105,856.

• Mitchell Research / MIRS (Nov. 18–21, 2025) GOP primary trial: John James 48%, Mike Cox 11%, Tom Leonard 5%, Aric Nesbitt 2%, Ralph Rebandt 1%, Not sure 33%.
• Mitchell Research / MIRS (Nov. 18–21, 2025) general-election trial variant: Benson 32% / Nesbitt 27% / Duggan 22% / Not sure 19%.

• Education: “Read by Third Grade” law, tutoring scholarships, A–F grading transparency, and shifting Superintendent accountability to the Governor.
• Rural/Agriculture: Pro-growth regulation, opposing CCP-linked farmland ownership, permitting reform (to be “DOGE’d”), and repealing the “Green New Deal.”
• Core framing: Focuses on outmigration, fentanyl/crime, and “America First” themes.

• Nesbitt is the Senate Republican Leader and has led public events on education policy (“Save MI Schools” town hall).

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TOM LEONARD

Campaign Website: tomformichigan.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

Leonard’s campaign bio presents him as a lifelong Michigander from Montrose who lives in DeWitt with his wife, Jenell, and their three children. The campaign highlights a “team-first” theme and frames his candidacy around making Michigan a “growth state” so families can build their future in Michigan. The campaign also situates Leonard’s background in public service and conservative legislative leadership, including his time as Speaker of the Michigan House.

• As of Oct. 20, 2025: Raised $937,024; Spent $227,730; Cash on hand $709,293.
• Personal loan reported: approximately $105,000.

• Mitchell Research / MIRS (Nov. 18–21, 2025): John James 48%, Mike Cox 11%, Tom Leonard 5%, Aric Nesbitt 2%, Ralph Rebandt 1%, Undecided 33%.

• Leonard’s agenda focuses on making Michigan a “growth state,” including tax reform, worker empowerment, government accountability, mental health services, law enforcement support, and infrastructure (roads, housing, energy, farming).

• AP reported Leonard served in the Michigan Legislature from 2013–2018 and was Speaker of the Michigan House from 2017–2018. He ran for Attorney General twice (2018 general; 2022 primary).

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PERRY JOHNSON

Campaign Website: perryjohnson.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

Johnson’s campaign describes him as a self-made businessman and problem solver who has spent decades working on efficiency and quality systems. His campaign messaging frames his candidacy around improving government performance, fiscal discipline, and eliminating the state income tax.

• As of Jan. 26, 2026: Public reporting on Johnson’s announcement indicated he planned to spend $9 million of his own money over the next two months to support his campaign.

• Johnson was not included as a named option in the Mitchell Research / MIRS poll cited above (Nov. 18–21, 2025).

• Government efficiency and “shake up the system” messaging.
• Fiscal discipline and waste reduction framing.
• Eliminating Michigan’s income tax.

• Johnson previously ran in the 2022 Republican primary for Michigan governor; public reporting on that cycle described him as being removed from the ballot after state election officials determined he did not submit enough valid petition signatures.

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RALPH REBANDT

Campaign Website: rebandtforgovernor.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

Rebandt’s campaign introduces him as a pastor, entrepreneur, and “working-class” Michigander from Wyandotte. He frames his candidacy around economic growth, protecting families, and defending parental rights. He cites past membership in multiple labor unions (IAM, LIUNA, United Steelworkers) and service as a Police, Fire, and Crisis Chaplain. He claims a “strategic role” in President Trump’s 2024 Michigan victory.

• As of Oct. 20, 2025: Raised $926,800; Spent $46,344; Cash on hand $880,456.

• Mitchell Research (Nov. 18–21, 2025): Rebandt reported at 1% (included in “Other” with a footnote in some documents).

• Economy: Cutting red tape, “transactional gold” legislation, and state-backed cryptocurrency.
• Family/Education: Parental rights, voter ID, school choice (“fund students, not systems”), and curriculum transparency.
• Public Safety: “Back the Blue” and recruiting/retaining police.

• Rebandt previously ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on Aug. 2, 2022 (won by Tudor Dixon).

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ANTHONY HUDSON

Campaign Website: electanthonyhudson.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Entry Point

Hudson’s campaign describes him as a truck driver who moved to Michigan 13 years ago. He positions himself as an outdoors-oriented candidate and argues Michigan is being “destroyed” by solar farms and wind turbines. His platform focuses on “protect and preserve” themes regarding the Great Lakes and forests.

• As of Oct. 27, 2025, Bridge Michigan reported that Hudson had not yet reported totals.

• Hudson was not included as a named option in the Mitchell Research / MIRS poll conducted Nov. 18–21, 2025.

• Highlights include eliminating property taxes, eliminating state income tax, and converting Michigan to a part-time legislature with part-time pay.

• Hudson previously ran for U.S. House (MI-08) in 2024 as a Republican. FEC records show total cycle receipts of $141,047.61 for that federal campaign.

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KARLA WAGNER

Campaign Website: karla4mi.com
Finance Filings: MiTN Public Search

Wagner’s campaign centers on a single theme: eliminating Michigan property taxes, stating it “is & will always be my main focus.” Her platform includes shrinking government budgets, reassessing “GREEN NEW DEAL mandates,” supporting small businesses, and election integrity (paper ballots).

• As of Oct. 20, 2025: Raised $2,875; Spent $2,620; Cash on hand $255.

• No major public polling figure reports a standalone percentage for Wagner; generally not listed as a named option.

• Primary issue: Property tax elimination.
• Secondary: Budget reduction, education funding reform (trade schools/choice), and insurance cost reduction; election integrity (paper ballots).

• WKAR’s Off the Record describes Wagner as leading a petition to eliminate property tax.

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