Politics, Parties, Candidates
Here's a look at documents from politicians, candidates and interested parties
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Mich. Democratic Party: Mike Rogers' Recent Campaigning in Florida Prompts Continued Scrutiny for Abandoning Michigan and Cashing Out in Florida
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Mike Rogers' Recent Campaigning in Florida Prompts Continued Scrutiny for Abandoning Michigan and Cashing Out in Florida
After abandoning Michigan more than a decade ago, enriching himself at the expense of Michiganders, and buying a multimillion dollar Florida mansion--then coming back just to try to grab a Senate seat so he can give handouts for millionaires like himself--Mike Rogers is facing new questions about his "Sunshine State campaigning."
The continued scrutiny comes
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LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Mike Rogers' Recent Campaigning in Florida Prompts Continued Scrutiny for Abandoning Michigan and Cashing Out in Florida
After abandoning Michigan more than a decade ago, enriching himself at the expense of Michiganders, and buying a multimillion dollar Florida mansion--then coming back just to try to grab a Senate seat so he can give handouts for millionaires like himself--Mike Rogers is facing new questions about his "Sunshine State campaigning."
The continued scrutiny comesas a new report from the Detroit Metro Times revealed this week that Rogers has "resum[ed] campaign activity from his Cape Coral home," took his multimillion dollar Florida mansion off the market, and said he would rather be "on the beach in Florida" than in Michigan.
Read more:
Detroit Metro Times: Michigan Senate candidate Mike Rogers campaigns from Florida as carpetbagger questions return
* Mike Rogers, the Michigan Republican running for U.S. Senate, is again facing accusations that he's more of a Florida resident than a Michigan one, after resuming campaign activity from his Cape Coral home for more than a week in November and recently joking on a right-wing radio show that he would rather be "on the beach in Florida" as Michigan braced for a winter storm.
* Metro Times found that Rogers spent more than a week in November 2025 campaigning from his Florida mansion, beginning with a fundraiser in Naples on Nov. 19 and followed by a series of media interviews that appear to have been recorded from inside his Cape Coral home. Those included a virtual interview on Nov. 20, a social media video the next day, and another virtual interview on Nov. 26. In between, Rogers told a Michigan-focused audience in a Nov. 24 interview on Wood Radio that "my whole life is here [in Michigan]," despite being in Florida at the time.
* During that same period, Rogers's Cape Coral property listing was removed from the market on Nov. 22 after he had listed the home soon after launching his campaign. The listing has remained marked "removed" as of Jan. 26.
National Journal: "Mike Rogers' Florida Roots in Question (Again)
* 2024 nominee Mike Rogers (R) "is again facing accusations that he's more of a Florida resident than a Michigan one" in his second Senate bid. Rogers' Florida ties were consistently used against him by Democrats, who called him a "carpetbagger," during his 2024 bid.
Raw Story: Michigan Republican accused of carpetbagging as he campaigns from Florida mansion
* Former Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan, now running for Senate in that state on a pro-Trump platform, keeps accidentally revealing his close ties to Florida, reported the Detroit Metro Times on Wednesday -- and reopening old accusations that he actually lives there.
* Rogers briefly listed his Cape Coral residence for sale after launching his new campaign, but according to Metro Times, he has already withdrawn it from the market. And during an interview earlier this month on "Breitbart News Sunday" with Florida-based reporter Matthew Boyle, Rogers quipped, "Wouldn't we all like to be with Matt right now on the beach in Florida. It's even colder in Michigan," which was met with laughter.
REMINDER: Rogers abandoned Michigan, bought a multimillion dollar Florida mansion, and cashed in at the expense of Michiganders, spending the last decade "pass[ing] through the 'revolving door,' advising companies on the issues he dealt with in Congress," gaining "hundreds of thousands of dollars in wealth through companies that have partnered with Chinese firms" and raking in cash from "shady foreign interests." Rogers then came back to Michigan just to run for Senate, raising repeated questions about his residency. He was then caught lying about where he lived, raising concerns he may have violated a voter registration law he helped pass.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/mike-rogers-recent-campaigning-in-florida-prompts-continued-scrutiny-for-abandoning-michigan-and-cashing-out-in-florida/
Mich. Democratic Party: Duggan Broke Promises and Put Kids at Risk With Toxic Dirt Spread Throughout Detroit
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Duggan Broke Promises and Put Kids at Risk With Toxic Dirt Spread Throughout Detroit
DETROIT -- On Michigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels this morning, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel called out Mike Duggan for spreading toxic and poisonous dirt in neighborhoods throughout Detroit, many that are now filled with harmful contaminants like lead and arsenic.
It comes as MDP launched a new digital campaign today highlighting how Duggan's mismanagement of the
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LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Duggan Broke Promises and Put Kids at Risk With Toxic Dirt Spread Throughout Detroit
DETROIT -- On Michigan's Big Show with Michael Patrick Shiels this morning, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel called out Mike Duggan for spreading toxic and poisonous dirt in neighborhoods throughout Detroit, many that are now filled with harmful contaminants like lead and arsenic.
It comes as MDP launched a new digital campaign today highlighting how Duggan's mismanagement of thetoxic dirt has put people at risk and is now costing taxpayers millions of dollars to clean up.
Chair Hertel said that because of Duggan, "neighborhoods throughout Detroit are going to experience a whole lot of risk that they didn't need and will have to spend millions of dollars to fix it."
The toxic and poisoned dirt spread by Duggan has left Detroiters grappling with unknowns--and experts have questioned Duggan's failures to manage the situation and properly test the dirt, which "may leave residents living next to unsafe toxic waste sites as Duggan leaves to run for governor."
Listen HERE (https://www.spreaker.com/episode/curtis-hertel-jr-chair-of-the-mi-democratic-party-former-state-senator-d-east-lansing--69665255?utm_medium=app&utm_source=widget&utm_campaign=episode-title&deep_link_value=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.spreaker.com%2Fepisode%2Fcurtis-hertel-jr-chair-of-the-mi-democratic-party-former-state-senator-d-east-lansing--69665255%3Futm_medium%3Dapp%26utm_source%3Dwidget%26utm_campaign%3Depisode-title&af_channel=widget) and see the transcript below.
Michael Patrick Shiels: Next on our AT&T line, Curtis Hertel, Jr., the chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, former state senator from the famous Hertel family. And he is going to tell us that under Mayor Mike Duggan's leadership, he had a dirty dirt problem. And you can hear more about it right here in this spot they've been running.
Ad: We made it very difficult for you to. To bring in soil unless we were confident of where it came from.
The Duggan administration made a surprise announcement that it had accidentally spread a bunch of toxic dirt throughout the city on home demolition sites. They refused to tell me what was in the dirt. I pressed them for four or five days on it, and they just would not say what was in the pits. There's lots of ways people can be exposed to this and that it's a real risk.
When we are going into your neighborhood and putting dirt into that lot next door, it has been certified as clean.
There could be syringes, there could be pesticides. There could be chemicals that could make that ground actually poisonous to somebody who maybe lives there in the future or tries to use that land.
Kids who are playing on the lots who come into contact with it. Maybe we're not eating dirt, but some people are planting gardens or parks. Duggan is skating out of town, leaving these pits full of toxic waste next to people. But he got his political win, and that's what he's campaigning on.
This is a disturbing outcome.
Shiels: Well, in Flint, they used to say there's something in the water. And Curtis Hertel Jr. is saying there's something in the dirt. Thank you for being here. What's that all about?
Hertel: Well, you know, there were a lot of promises made to people when they started this program that the dirt would be tested that is going back in these lots. And what we have found is that whatever protocols the Duggan administration had weren't nearly enough. And what they're finding is arsenic, lead in all of these sites.
And the problem is, is that, you know, they're going around the state talking about this program that they did and what they have left for the city is something that could hurt kids and could also cost taxpayers millions of dollars to fix. And so, you know, this idea that you want to get something done. It's important. But at some point, if you're a leader and you have a project, you have to make sure that these things are properly tested and they work.
Shiels: I like how you pulled it back to promises there at the beginning. That did not go unnoticed because of the song we started the segment with. Some people would say that you're doing some real digging to come up with this in light of the fact that he's running for governor.
Hertel: Well, we didn't find this. I mean, this has been reported throughout the media. So this is not a, you know, the Michigan Democratic Party doesn't have environmental testers that went and tested these sites. These are actual professionals that have gone in and found what is toxic dirt in these sites. And the reality is it puts kids in Detroit at risk. I mean, you know, we saw what happened in Flint.
We saw the long-term effects it had on their children. And this is a major, major issue that literally people were promised, I think promises are important. People were promised that we wouldn't, that this wouldn't happen. And it's exactly. The promises were broken. It's exactly what happened, unfortunately. And neighborhoods throughout Detroit are going to experience a whole lot of risk that they didn't need and will have to spend millions of dollars to fix it.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/duggan-broke-promises-and-put-kids-at-risk-with-toxic-dirt-spread-throughout-detroit/
DNC: Trump Refuses To Take Questions, But There's a Lot He Needs To Answer For
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Trump Refuses To Take Questions, But There's a Lot He Needs To Answer For
Today, Donald Trump hosted a Cabinet meeting, and after over an hour of remarks, he and his administration officials refused to take any questions from the press. Notably, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi were not allowed to speak -- even though other members of the Cabinet gave remarks.
Trump and his lackeys know they are on shaky ground with the majority of Americans
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 29, 2026:
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Trump Refuses To Take Questions, But There's a Lot He Needs To Answer For
Today, Donald Trump hosted a Cabinet meeting, and after over an hour of remarks, he and his administration officials refused to take any questions from the press. Notably, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi were not allowed to speak -- even though other members of the Cabinet gave remarks.
Trump and his lackeys know they are on shaky ground with the majority of Americans-- and for good reason. Everyday Americans continue to struggle under the weight of Trump's economy, which is why Trump is 18 points underwater on the economy and 29 points underwater on the cost of living. Nearly 70% of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of health care. And in the wake of two tragic murders in Minnesota at the hands of federal immigration enforcement, a Fox News poll found that Trump is also failing on his key issue, immigration, as approval of his immigration policy fell to its lowest level ever, with a majority of Americans saying his crackdown on immigration has gone too far.
In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:
"Donald Trump, JD Vance, Kristi Noem, and the rest of Trump's Cabinet owe the American people answers, but they're afraid to face the music. Today's Cabinet meeting said it all: Trump refused to take questions, Vance couldn't even be bothered to give remarks, and Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi weren't allowed to speak. They know Americans are asking questions they don't have the answers to: why federal immigration agents are killing and wrongly detaining citizens, when working families will finally feel some economic relief, and why the Epstein files STILL have not been released."
Here are five questions that Americans deserve to know the answer to:
1. Why are federal immigration officials still roaming the streets of America with no accountability or transparency into their actions after they've wrongfully detained and murdered American citizens?
2. Why was Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard -- who was missing from the Cabinet meeting -- spotted at an FBI raid on an election office in Fulton County?
3. When will Trump finally fulfill his Day One promise to bring down costs, instead of spiking inflation?
4. When will Trump's DOJ finally release the full Epstein files as required by law?
5. What's really wrong with Donald Trump's hand?
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/trump-refuses-to-take-questions-but-theres-a-lot-he-needs-to-answer-for/
DNC: JD Vance and Stephen Miller Try to Backtrack Their Disgusting Lies About the Alex Pretti Killing
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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JD Vance and Stephen Miller Try to Backtrack Their Disgusting Lies About the Alex Pretti Killing
After federal immigration agents killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, JD Vance and Stephen Miller immediately slandered the victim and spread lies, calling him a "domestic terrorist" and "a would-be assassin" who "intended to massacre law enforcement" and saying what happened was a consequence of "far left agitators, working with local authorities."
Now, Vance
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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JD Vance and Stephen Miller Try to Backtrack Their Disgusting Lies About the Alex Pretti Killing
After federal immigration agents killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on Saturday, JD Vance and Stephen Miller immediately slandered the victim and spread lies, calling him a "domestic terrorist" and "a would-be assassin" who "intended to massacre law enforcement" and saying what happened was a consequence of "far left agitators, working with local authorities."
Now, Vancehas gone silent -- taking the day off his official duties to fundraise with Keith Rabois, who smeared Alex Pretti as a "felon" who was not "an innocent person" and whose actions were "not protected by any of the amendments," while Miller's wife is playing defense for him on social media.
In response, DNC Deputy Rapid Response Director Jaelin O'Halloran released the following statement:
"JD Vance and Stephen Miller are seeing the writing on the wall: The American people are disgusted with them for smearing an innocent man killed by federal immigration agents. So now, Vance has gone silent -- taking the day off to fundraise with tech millionaires to fill his campaign coffers -- while Miller put out a tepid statement and has tasked his wife with defending him on social media. They shamelessly manufactured a false narrative to protect their campaign of chaos and terror -- and they must be held accountable."
According to new reporting, immediately after Pretti was shot and killed, administration officials "knew they had a potential disaster on their hands," and Miller came up with the narrative that "Pretti came to 'massacre' cops." Miller and Vance started advancing the narrative online almost immediately.
As Americans increasingly oppose ICE's conduct, Trump tried to change tune -- saying that he wants an "honest investigation" -- and ever since, Vance and Miller have remained silent. In a new poll, approval of Trump and Vance's immigration policies fell to its lowest point since Trump returned to office, with a majority saying his tactics have gone too far.
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/jd-vance-and-stephen-miller-try-to-backtrack-their-disgusting-lies-about-the-alex-pretti-killing/
DNC: As Winter Storms Hit, Kristi Noem Slows $19 Billion in FEMA Disaster Relief Funds
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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As Winter Storms Hit, Kristi Noem Slows $19 Billion in FEMA Disaster Relief Funds
Noem's directive comes as she spends $200 million on private jets and allows federal agents to terrorize American citizens
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As communities across the country navigate this week's winter storm, new reporting revealed that extra red tape created by Trump's DHS Secretary Kristi Noem -- who has spent $200 million in taxpayer dollars on two private jets and continues to unleash federal agents on our
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 30 -- The Democratic National Committee posted the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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As Winter Storms Hit, Kristi Noem Slows $19 Billion in FEMA Disaster Relief Funds
Noem's directive comes as she spends $200 million on private jets and allows federal agents to terrorize American citizens
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As communities across the country navigate this week's winter storm, new reporting revealed that extra red tape created by Trump's DHS Secretary Kristi Noem -- who has spent $200 million in taxpayer dollars on two private jets and continues to unleash federal agents on ourstreets -- has led to a $17 billion bottleneck in disaster relief funding. To make matters worse, states are also still waiting for an additional $1.3 billion in FEMA funding to help communities build infrastructure to minimize future damage and save lives.
Without these critical funds, states hit hard by storms and disasters have been forced to pay for recovery efforts themselves. While 39 of 50 states have experienced natural disasters since Trump took office, the reporting found that Louisiana, Florida, and Texas have the most pending FEMA mitigation grants. One small community in Iowa had to take a $19 million dollar loan -- far exceeding the city's $10 million annual budget -- to rebuild itself due to Noem's bottleneck, and the $1,800 in daily interest the city is paying is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
These additional costs come as states across the country are already squeezing their budgets in order to pay for the costs of Trump's Big Ugly Bill, which passed on part of the cost of programs like SNAP onto state budgets.
In response, DNC Deputy Communications Director Abhi Rahman released the following statement:
"Kristi Noem has made her priorities clear: spending $200 million of taxpayer dollars on private jets and deploying federal agents to terrorize communities and incite violence, while holding up life-saving disaster relief for communities hit hardest by natural disasters. When communities in need are hit by deadly flooding, storms, and other disasters, they should not be hung out to dry by the agency designed to help us save lives and rebuild."
Read more below:
New York Times: Extra Scrutiny of FEMA Aid to States Has Created a $17 Billion Bottleneck
By Scott Dance
* About $17 billion in federal disaster funds for states is getting an extra layer of review by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, causing unusual delays in payments, according to internal Federal Emergency Management Agency documents reviewed by The New York Times.
* Ms. Noem's directive has extended the final processing of large projects, a stage that normally takes a few weeks, by months, causing the backlog to balloon, according to three FEMA employees familiar with the process who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.
* FEMA has barred staff from discussing review timelines with state officials who ask about the status of aid, the employees said.
* In many cases, state and local governments have already completed relief and recovery work at their own expense, often under significant budget constraints, based on a pledge from FEMA to reimburse a share of the costs.
* In other instances, work cannot begin until Ms. Noem allows the money to flow.
* The funding delays have left some disaster-struck communities with little certainty of when or whether help might come.
* In June 2024, huge floods damaged or destroyed 500 homes in Rock Valley, Iowa, in the northwest corner of the state. City officials have been waiting for Ms. Noem to approve $3.4 million in FEMA reimbursements to cover replacement vehicles, temporary leases for the town library and a maintenance facility, as well as emergency efforts taken at the height of the floods, said Tom Van Maanen, the city administrator.
* Rock Valley's annual budget is typically less than $10 million, so the city has had to borrow $19 million to make ends meet, at a cost of $1,800 in daily interest that is not eligible for FEMA reimbursement, he said.
* The states with the most in pending mitigation grants are Louisiana, Florida and Texas, the documents show.
* Separately, the Trump administration has cut off another grant program designed to help communities better prepare for disasters.
* Representative Troy A. Carter Sr., a Louisiana Democrat, said that until those improvements were made, flood damage would continue to mount.
* "It defies logic," Mr. Carter said. By not funding the projects, he said, "you've blown an opportunity to lessen the effect of the next weather event."
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Original text here: https://democrats.org/news/as-winter-storms-hit-kristi-noem-slows-19-billion-in-fema-disaster-relief-funds/
Mich. Democratic Party: Statement - Michigan's Population Growing Under Leadership of Gov. Whitmer and Democrats
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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STATEMENT: Michigan's Population Growing Under Leadership of Gov. Whitmer and Democrats
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Michigan's population grew by 28,000 residents from July 2024 to July 2025--and for the first time in at least 35 years, Michigan's population is growing.
"Governor Whitmer and Democrats have worked tirelessly to make Michigan the best state in the nation to live and work--and these numbers show that Michigan is growing and thriving," said
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LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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STATEMENT: Michigan's Population Growing Under Leadership of Gov. Whitmer and Democrats
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that Michigan's population grew by 28,000 residents from July 2024 to July 2025--and for the first time in at least 35 years, Michigan's population is growing.
"Governor Whitmer and Democrats have worked tirelessly to make Michigan the best state in the nation to live and work--and these numbers show that Michigan is growing and thriving," saidMichigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel. "With Governor Whitmer and Michigan Democrats' leadership, we are tackling the kitchen table issues that matter most to working families and building a stronger state."
Check out more about Michigan's growing population below:
Bridge Michigan: Michigan gains 28k residents, reversing losses to other states
* For the first time in at least 35 years, more people moved to Michigan from other states than moved out for the year ending in July, according to estimates released Tuesday by the US Census Bureau...
* The growth is "a sign that our strategy is working," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement, citing Michigan's relatively low cost of living, availability of jobs in the skilled trades, access to free education and natural beauty.
* "Our work to get things done on the kitchen-table issues that make a real difference in people's lives is paying off," the governor said...
* Butler noted that among people moving into Michigan, recent federal survey data shows jobs are the top reason.
* "Michigan gains more people listing jobs as a reason for moving in versus moving out," Butler said.
* Michigan's domestic migration gain was notable given years of losses to other states but played only a small role in the state's modest population growth for 2025. The state gained an estimated 27,922 residents...
* Lawmakers in recent years have attempted to ease the financial burden of parenthood through programs targeted at poor households, such as cash payments to pregnant women and new mothers, universal free pre-k and increasing Michigan's match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/statement-michigans-population-growing-under-leadership-of-gov-whitmer-and-democrats/
Mich. Democratic Party: Perry Johnson and John James Trade Barbs; Injecting Mudslinging, Infighting, and Millions Into GOP Primary
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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Perry Johnson and John James Trade Barbs; Injecting Mudslinging, Infighting, and Millions into GOP Primary
After months of hiding from the campaign trail, James is now scrambling
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The Republican primary for governor has gone off the deep end this week, with out-of-touch multi-millionaire Perry Johnson joining the race and immediately sparring with John James, after committing to spending $9 million in the next 60 days.
The gloves came off yesterday between Johnson and James:
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... Show Full Article
LANSING, Michigan, Jan. 30 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on Jan. 28, 2026:
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Perry Johnson and John James Trade Barbs; Injecting Mudslinging, Infighting, and Millions into GOP Primary
After months of hiding from the campaign trail, James is now scrambling
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The Republican primary for governor has gone off the deep end this week, with out-of-touch multi-millionaire Perry Johnson joining the race and immediately sparring with John James, after committing to spending $9 million in the next 60 days.
The gloves came off yesterday between Johnson and James:
*Johnson and his advisor John Yob went on the attack, with Yob telling the Detroit News that "James is running a lazy campaign that relies on the generosity of the DeVos family and not the hard work it will take to win this office." Yob also quipped that Johnson's "got more energy than anyone I know and certainly more than John James."
* Yob also told MIRS News that James has run "a lazy campaign" so far and that James "knows that means this is going to now be a tough race. We'll see how hard he works for it. He hasn't worked particularly hard in his races in the past."
* Yob posted that James "abandoned Detroit for Macomb. Abandoned Macomb for Grand Rapids. Abandoned Trump and congressional Republicans for statewide office despite two recent statewide losses costing the ticket."
* James' advisor Tori Sachs fired back, saying "congrats to one of the greatest salespeople in politics" for "convincing a guy who's already dropped $42 million over the last 4 years running for office - never once making a ballot, getting a single vote, or polling over 1% - to jump back in and push it to at least $50M."
* James, who has been largely absent from the campaign trail and skipping events across the state, frantically scheduled a series of events for this week--including one last night in Maybee, where he handed out a participation trophy with his campaign logo on it.
* Even Stu Standler, James' former advisor, chimed in with a ringing endorsement of two-time statewide loser James: "Say what you will about him, but he has gotten on the ballot every time he ran."
Grassroots Republicans appear thrilled by Johnson's campaign--after James' campaign has been lackluster. Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad said that Johnson is going to be "very competitive" and that he "will be one of the contenders," while Oakland County Republican Party Chair Vance Patrick said that Johnson is a "great addition to the race." Even Trump ally Matt Maddock said that Johnson "can win it" and "we need a man who can actually win."
The Republican infighting comes as a new group, Michigan First Principles, recently launched a significant TV, digital, and radio ad blitz targeting James for putting "himself first" while "turning his back" and being "totally disloyal" to Trump.
"The gloves are off in the Republican primary for governor, and it's going to be an expensive and messy cage fight all the way till the final bell as they battle it out for Donald Trump's support," said Michigan Democratic Party spokesperson Derrick Honeyman. "With Perry Johnson on the attack and John James frantically learning what it's like to actually campaign this week, James may end up with only a participation trophy with his logo on it come August."
Read more below.
MIRS News: Sachs Dings Yob For Lucrative Sales Job; Yob Calls James Campaign 'Lazy'
* A key consultant to Republican gubernatorial candidate John JAMES took a swipe on social media at her counterpart, John YOB, with the Perry JOHNSON campaign today for suggesting that the 78-year-old was lured into the race for the presumably big paycheck.
* The reactions were plenty today as Johnson told The Detroit News he was putting $9 million into the race over the next 60 days.
* Sachs' comment came after Yob told MIRS Monday and tweeted his own message that James has run, up to this point, "a lazy campaign."
* "John James knows that means this is going to now be a tough race. We'll see how hard he works for it," Yob said. "He hasn't worked particularly hard in his races in the past."
* Referencing James's video from last week, Yob told MIRS Monday the congressman has "this convoluted argument that somehow him running for governor, despite two statewide losses in the past, is somehow good for the Republican Party and would somehow help the ticket when history shows the obvious.
* "It's true he was catastrophic for the ticket in the past. Hopefully, down the road, he makes the right decision and does what President TRUMP has asked him to do and run for Congress again for his congressional seat over in Macomb County, rather than try this quixotic campaign for governor that has the potential to tank the ticket once again."
* Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim RUNESTAD (R-White Lake) said he believes Johnson, the multi-millionaire business executive will "shake up the race" for governor. A decidedly unimpressed Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis HERTEL, Jr. described the development as "an interesting twist."
* "It's certainly not a dream team for Michigan," Hertel reflected, adding, "Money can buy a lot of things, but you can't buy the governorship."
* As for the money Johnson vows to put into the race, Runestad offered, "when you spend that kind of money, you are going to have a real fast start. He is going to be very competitive. There is no way that he is not going to be competitive right to the end of this race ... he'll be one of the contenders."
* Johnson said he expects to nail down a Trump endorsement in the crowded primary, but first Johnson has to prove that he is a viable candidate. He needs to snag 20% support in the polls for a period of time. He's done no internal polling so far and was instead quietly putting together his campaign, which was kept under wraps.
* In fact, Runestad said he knew nothing about it until only "recently."
* Hertel said he doesn't see "kissing Trump's ring" meaning much in the state.
* "Any human being who can see the modern politics that we have in terms of Donald Trump can see this is not the horse you want to ride ... His numbers in Michigan are pretty terrible," Hertel said.
* Asked what he thought the other GOP hopefuls were thinking this morning when they heard the news, Runestad concluded, "it shakes up your entire strategy. Every single one of the candidates has to go back to the drawing board and reassess (and) maybe come at it from a different angle. It definitely shakes up the race."
* Hertel has a different take. It just adds more "chaos" to an already chaotic GOP primary.
* Other comments include those from Rep. Matt MADDOCK (R-Milford), who said, "Perry Johnson can fund his own race -- and he can win it. If we want the income tax gone, we need a man who can actually win."
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Original text here: https://michigandems.com/perry-johnson-and-john-james-trade-barbs-injecting-mudslinging-infighting-and-millions-into-gop-primary/
