John James

Republican candidate Mike Cox has dropped out of Michigan’s governor’s race.

He made the announcement on X at 5:15 p.m. Friday, July 17, saying he did not think he had a path to victory after President Donald Trump’s recent endorsement of his opponent in the Republican primary, U.S. Rep. John James.

“On June 22nd President @realDonaldTrump endorsed @JohnJamesMI and lifted him out of a statistical tie with me,” Cox wrote in the post. “And while I did not fully appreciate it then, that endorsement placed him out of reach in a three-way Republican primary race. Several internal polls since June 22nd taught me that that lesson. That is the power of President Trump, and it is a testament to the enduring loyalty of Republican primary voters in Michigan to the President.”

Cox’s exit from the race leaves two Republicans in the running to replace term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this fall. James, R-Shelby Township, will now compete in the Aug. 4 primary against businessman Perry Johnson.

The former Michigan Attorney General said he leaves the race “with great sadness” but pledged his full support behind James, as well as Anthony Forlini, a Republican running for Michigan Secretary of State, and Doug Lloyd, who is running for Michigan Attorney General.

“I leave this race with gratitude, optimism, and faith in Michigan’s future because I have met so many women and men of purpose on the campaign who are working to get it done,” he wrote.