John James

LANSING, MI – A second Michigan rocker has weighed in on the state’s open governor’s race.

Singer, guitarist and avid hunter Ted Nugent is joining Kid Rock on the list of Michigan musicians that have endorsed a Republican candidate ahead of a crowded and competitive primary.

Like Kid Rock, Nugent, 77, also announced support for U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township.

In a video shared on social media, the “Motor City Madman” called James a “great American soldier.”

“We have to get John James at the helm of the good ship Michigan,” he said, “because right now it’s embarrassing. So if you want to make Michigan, Michigan again – land of positive spirit, positive energy, goodwill and decency, neighborliness, work ethic, law and order – John James for governor of Michigan, please.”

The endorsement has the potential to be impactful in the still-crowded, five-candidate Republican gubernatorial primary. Those running are vying to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, James will face off against businessman Perry Johnson; former Attorney General Mike Cox; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township; and pastor Ralph Rebandt.

President Donald Trump has not yet endorsed a Republican candidate in Michigan’s primary, and at least one candidate has said they believe he will not endorse, due to previous unsuccessful attempts to weigh in on Michigan’s races.

Nugent is an outspoken celebrity supporter of Trump.

He also made Michigan headlines last summer for criticism of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, telling officials to “get the hell out of our way and let us do our job” when it comes to hunters helping manage deer overpopulation.

Nugent also carried a gun inside the Michigan State Capitol despite a ban on firearms inside the building, prompting increased Capitol security.

The James campaign said his endorsement from Nugent, newly inducted into the Michigan Outdoor Hall of Fame, highlights the pair’s shared commitment to outdoor heritage, Second Amendment rights and “getting back to common-sense wildlife management.”

“I’m honored to have Ted Nugent’s support,” James said. “Ted represents a lifetime of living out the values he believes in – protecting our natural resources, defending our freedoms and standing up for the people who cherish Michigan’s great outdoors. He’s been a relentless voice for hunters, anglers, and conservation families across this state.”

James said he plans to manage the state’s whitetail deer “with respect and reverence,” also “protecting the traditions that define who we are.”

“Michigan’s conservation families deserve a voice again,” he said. “That means standing for law and order, putting God, family, and country first, embracing self-ownership and personal responsibility and choosing good over evil. It means holding the government accountable and protecting the outdoor heritage that’s been passed down for generations.”

James also spoke about a commitment to “supporting law-abiding gun owners.” His campaign has not yet put out environmental or Second Amendment policy specifics.

Some recent polling has found James maintaining his status as a Republican frontrunner, earning 37% support among likely primary voters.

By comparison, Johnson took 19.8%, Cox received 9.9%, Nesbitt earned 6.9% and Rebandt had 1%.

Former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, who was still in the race at the time of the poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber but has since dropped out, got 2.6% support. Another 5% of voters said “someone else” and 17.6% remained undecided.

James also led that poll for name recognition, with 89.5% name ID and a 55.4% favorability rating.

But another survey conducted by Emerson College and shared earlier the same month showed James and Johnson within one percentage point of each other among likely voters, after Johnson’s spent millions of dollars on advertising.

Michigan’s Republican primary winner will run in the Nov. 3 general election against the winner of the Democratic primary. Three candidates – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and federal auditor Kim Thomas – have submitted signatures to be on the Democratic primary ballot.

Also running in November is a formidable independent candidate, former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was elected as a Democrat.