Trump Not So Happy John James is Abandoning Vulnerable Congressional Seat to Run For Governor

Congressman John James

There had been rumors circulating in Republican circles when Michigan Congressman John James announced his bid for governor in April that President Trump was not happy about him abandoning a vulnerable congressional seat.

On Thursday, at a bill-signing ceremony in Washington where James, 44, was in attendance, Trump made those concerns clear.

"John James, John James," Trump lamented. "I don't know; you know he's running for governor, but I'm not sure I'm happy about that, John. Do we have somebody good to take your seat? Because otherwise we're not letting him run for governor... You have somebody good, right? OK, as long as you like them, they'll win."

The Detroit News reports:

In response, the Shelby Township Republican smiled and assured the president that his replacement would be good, though no Republican candidates have stepped forward yet to campaign for James' suburban Detroit seat.

James twice lost in his bids for the U.S. Senate. In 2022, he set his sights lower and won the 10th Congressional District, which includes parts of Macomb and Oakland counties, beating Democrat Carl Marlinga. In a rematch between the two last year, James won again.

The wealthy DeVos family in western Michigan is backing James for governor.

President Trump today at a bill signing ceremony gave @JohnJamesMI a shout out.

But it wasn’t flattering.

“John James. John James. I don’t know. You know, he’s running for governor (of Michigan). But I’m not sure I’m happy about that, John. …” pic.twitter.com/UhLCg6KJiP

— Chad Livengood (@ChadLivengood) June 12, 2025