​Republican Businessman Perry Johnson Launches Another Bid For MI Governor

Republican businessman Perry Johnson announced Monday that he is throwing his name into Michigan's race for governor in 2026.

He said his campaign will focus on "efficiency in government, fiscal discipline, and an achievable path to eliminate Michigan’s income tax."

"Michigan families and small businesses deserve a government that works as hard as they do," Johnson said. "We can deliver better services at lower cost by running state government with the same efficiency, accountability, and a results-driven mindset we used to help save the auto industry and businesses across the country."

Johnson, a 78-year-old Bloomfield Hills businessman and millionaire, owns more than 70 businesses across the nation. He describes himself as a "quality guru" that helps businesses improve their quality.

Johnson was considered a frontrunner to challenge Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2022, but didn't make it to the ballot over fraudulent signatures. He declined to run a write-in campaign.

He joins fellow Republicans Aric Nesbitt, Mike Cox, Joyce Gipson, Anthony Hudson, John James, Tom Leonard, Ralph Rebandt, Evan Space and Karla Wagner in the 2026 race.

Democrats running include Jocelyn Benson, Kevin Hogan, Marni Sawicki and Chris Swanson. Longtime Democrat Mike Duggan is running as an Independent.