Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
15.2%
35.2%
30%
10.0%
5.5%
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
$239.0K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleBusinessman
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age78 years old (Jan 23, 1948)
GenderMale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundBusinessman
EducationUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BS; mathematics; minor in economics)
Notable personal detailsPerry Lawrence Johnson is an American businessman, author, and political candidate from Michigan. He is known for work in quality management and certification and has founded multiple companies associated with the Perry Johnson brand, including Perry Johnson Registrars. He ran for Michigan governor in 2022 but was disqualified from the Republican primary ballot due to insufficient valid petition signatures amid widespread signature fraud allegations, and later sought the 2024 Republican presidential nomination before withdrawing in 2023. He announced a new campaign for Michigan governor in January 2026.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgperryjohnson.commichiganpublic.orgmichigannewssource.comwdet.orgmichfb.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.comapnews.compjmedia.comwilx.comcbsnews.comfox17online.comcourts.michigan.govperryjohnsonfoundation.comfox2detroit.com9and10news.combridgemi.comarabamericannews.comontheissues.orgmichiganadvance.comiowacapitaldispatch.comopencampaign.comrollcall.comyahoo.comfoxnews.comlatimes.comstatic.votesmart.orgfec.govgovinfo.govnga.orgsbc.senate.govhistory.house.govballotready.orgcongress.govcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports eliminating Michigan’s state income tax and cutting state spending through efficiency measures and audits; proposes phasing out the income tax to spur growth and attract businesses. Emphasizes fiscal discipline, government efficiency, and reduced taxation as central elements of his economic platform.
Healthcare
Perry Johnson has made statements both supporting market-based reforms—calling for insurance competition across state lines—and earlier in his career expressed support for single-payer/Medicare-for-All and universal coverage. His recent public materials emphasize competitive, interstate insurance solutions while historical remarks show prior endorsement of Medicare-for-All, producing mixed signals on a consistent healthcare stance.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate calls for building a border wall, 'tight and non-porous' border security, and a zero-tolerance policy sending people who entered illegally back to their countries of origin with no reentry. He also supports strict vetting and worker-visa pathways for vetted immigrants while prioritizing enforcement and deportation measures.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate is pro‑life, states that life begins at conception, and supports strict abortion limits with the primary exception being to save the life of the mother. He has declined to rule out banning abortion in cases of rape or incest and has expressed support for older Michigan law that would ban most abortions.
Climate & Energy
Supports expanded domestic energy production including oil, natural gas, mining and pipelines while opposing immediate phase-out of fossil fuels; favors repealing federal climate executive orders and reducing regulatory barriers to energy projects while also endorsing renewable energy development and emissions reduction through market measures.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate identifies as pro-Second Amendment and favors gun rights while running as a Republican. Public materials and news coverage describe support for gun rights without indicating advocacy for new major firearm restrictions. There is no clear public evidence of support for progressive gun-control measures such as assault weapons bans or universal background checks.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 3, 2026
Perry Johnson is in the news because he sued fellow Michigan Republican John James over campaign materials that use the phrase "John James Governor," arguing it could mislead voters ahead of the August primary. Johnson says the wording wrongly suggests James is the incumbent governor and has asked a court to stop it. He has also been promoting his own gubernatorial campaign by stressing his business background, support for eliminating the state income tax, and plans for government audits.
en.wikipedia.org+39
Articles
CNCBS News1 month ago
Perry Johnson sues John James over campaign phrasing, calling it misleading
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner1 month ago
Michigan governor hopeful accuses rival of tricking voters
Negative
DFDetroit Free Press2 months ago
In Michigan governor race, GOP's Perry Johnson defends plans
Positive
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat27 days ago
Republicans once saw Michigan as ripe for takeover, but mood shifting
Negative
Polls
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2024Total raisedCash on hand
$29.7M
$22.3M
$14.9M
$7.4M
$0
2024
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2024
$29.7M
$0.00
$28.8M
$1.8M
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements