Great Lakes Wire

At the Michigan Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt led a straw poll for the 2026 gubernatorial race, receiving 29.2 percent support among 492 attendees. The event, held biennially by the Michigan Republican Party, is known for providing party activists an early look at potential candidates.

Former House Speaker Tom Leonard came in second with 23.5 percent, and former Attorney General Mike Cox followed with 18.5 percent of the vote. U.S. Representative John James received 13.8 percent support, placing fourth.

John James had previously been considered a frontrunner for the Republican nomination but was less visible at this year's conference compared to other candidates who had active volunteer presences on site. According to MIRS News reporting from Friday, there were no signs or shirts supporting James’ campaign as attendees arrived, while volunteers for Nesbitt, Leonard, and Cox were present.

James hosted a reception at a local restaurant during the conference that included free drinks and food. Political commentator Dennis Lennox remarked at the event: “Look, I haven’t met anybody who says they support John James for governor,” adding that most attendees seemed drawn by the refreshments rather than political support.

Kaitlyn Buss of The Detroit News commented on perceptions surrounding James' campaign efforts: ” . . .That he’s maybe not getting out there as much as he needs to be, and they keep riding on this name ID and polling such as it is, but that’s not going to be enough as we keep going forward. He is going to have to get out there,” Buss said.

James did not participate in a candidate panel moderated by Buss and WOOD TV reporter Rick Albin featuring other declared or prospective candidates including Cox, Nesbitt, Leonard, and Ralph Rebandt.

Other individuals reportedly considering entering the race include Perry Johnson and Kevin Rinke.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Sen. Jim Runestad commented on the poll results: “I have been through many campaigns since 2008. I’ve never lost an election: close elections, primaries and general elections, and unless you’re unopposed, I always run like I’m behind. And that would be my advice. Don’t take anything for granted.”

When asked about missing the panel discussion during his own reception event, James explained he was traveling around Michigan meeting voters instead of attending all scheduled panels. On facing independent candidate Mike Duggan if nominated by Republicans for governor he said his answer would be “more votes.”

“The focus of this race is always on the people, and that’s the reason why we’re here because this race is about the people, and I think that if you’re able to articulate that message well then the people will give you a shot,” James said. “I think Michigan right now is looking for someone who could deliver on five critical items: academic excellence, economic mobility, public safety, government accountability and healthy families. These are reasons that even in blue states Republican governors get elected.”

Nesbitt used his time at Saturday's forum to discuss issues facing Michigan residents: “We can do a full DOGE of our state government on regulations line by line on our permitting on our spending . . . who else here has gotten a 50 percent pay increase in the last five years? I don’t see them but your state government has lower[ed]the cost of government lower[ed]the cost of insurance lower[ed]the cost of energy,” Nesbitt said. “That’s how you make it easier for families and workers to make it right here in Michigan.”

In additional straw poll results:

- For Secretary of State nominee preference among conference-goers: Melissa Yatooma led with 38.5 percent over Amanda Love (29.7 percent). Tony Forlini (not an official candidate) received 14.3 percent as a write-in; Timothy Smith received 8.6 percent; others or undecided accounted for another 8.8 percent.

- In Attorney General preference polling: Kevin Kijewski led with 52.6 percent after recently representing one GOP elector whose charges were dismissed earlier this month; Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd was second with 33.5 percent; attorney Matt DePerno received 7.5 percent; others made up another 4.8 percent.