John James

In Michigan's GOP gubernatorial primary, U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, has tapped public funding to compete against Bloomfield Hills businessman Perry Johnson, who has poured tens of millions of his own money into his bid. Meanwhile, Democratic frontrunner Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has amassed a huge war chest with an eye toward November.

The Aug. 4 primary will decide the Democratic and Republican nominees who will face off in November to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits.

Campaign finance reports filed for the fundraising period covering Jan. 1-July 19 provide the first look at the 2026 money race with voting in the primary already underway.

Johnson pours massive personal sum into his bid

Johnson has lent his own campaign almost $30.8 million, far surpassing the $7.9 million he spent on his failed 2022 run. His campaign finance report shows only two individuals contributing to his current bid other than himself.

His spending in 2026 has far outpaced the other candidates at nearly $29.6 million, according to his report, compared to Benson's roughly $2.1 million, James' nearly $4.2 million and Swanson's over $805,000.

Johnson has branded himself as the political outsider in the race. He is the only candidate running who has never held elected office before.

Johnson has said that his self-funding makes him an attractive candidate, because it means he isn't beholden to outside interests. Meanwhile, he has criticized his opponent for seeking public funds for his bid, calling it an "outrageous request" in a recent Facebook post. "I don't want your tax dollars for my campaign. John James does," Johnson wrote.

James taps public funding, boasts thousands of Michigan donors

Michigan's income tax form allows taxpayers to contribute to the State Campaign Fund for gubernatorial candidates. James has received over $258,000 in public funding so far. He can receive up to $990,000 ahead of the primary.

In tapping the public dollars unlocked by small-dollar, in-state donors, James' campaign has boasted its grassroots support. More than 8,300 Michigan donors have given to James' bid, according to his campaign, and his report shows he raised more than $3.1 million overall in the latest fundraising period. James' Campaign Manager, Jackson Gross, said the public funding helps James in his fight "against a self-funder like Perry Johnson, who's trying to buy the election."

In Michigan's last open race for governor in 2018, several candidates received public financing, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

James has the endorsement of President Donald Trump. While three of James' previous opponents have dropped out and backed James, Johnson has bucked calls to unite behind the president's pick.

Benson's big war chest

Benson has continued to trounce her Democratic opponent, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, in fundraising. She has raised over $4.9 million in 2026 to Swanson's roughly $722,000.

But Benson and James – as the frontrunners in their respective primaries – also have a huge funding gap. Her massive campaign war chest totals $6.4 million cash on hand while James posted nearly $1.4 million, according to the latest filing.

"While Republicans have spent months burning through millions of dollars trying to prove who is most loyal to Donald Trump, we've been building up the necessary campaign infrastructure and ensuring we have the resources to win in November," said Benson's Campaign Manager Nikki Goldschein in a statement.

James' campaign in a news release boasted funding not just to his campaign coffers but to the pro-James Mission Michigan PAC backed by members of the wealthy west Michigan DeVos family that has a history of supporting Republican causes.

Both Benson and James have benefited from previous fundraising for earlier campaigns. Benson transferred almost $593,000 from her secretary of state campaign to her campaign for governor while James moved over $788,000 from his congressional campaign, according to campaign finance records.