ELECTIONS
GOP gubernatorial debate touches on economy, education
Clara HendricksonDetroit Free Press
Updated July 9, 2026, 9:29 p.m. ET
In the three-way race for the GOP nomination to be Michigan’s governor, candidates outlined policy plans on affordability challenges, education and more during a debate at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, a contrast to the previous exchange, which was dominated by personal attacks
Asked about what they would do to address cost of living concerns during the Thursday, July 9 debate, former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and businessman Perry Johnson talked about their plan to axe the state’s income tax. Johnson also laid out his plan to cut property taxes
No candidate explained how they would achieve their tax changes while sparing essential state services, instead arguing that they can realize savings by cutting what they deem unnecessary state spending. On almost every issue, Johnson said improving government efficiency is the answer
“The major problem we have right now is the fact that we’re giving too much money away to the government to throw away. That’s our biggest issue,” Johnson said
To tackle utility costs, Cox and James said that they would repeal a law approved by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer setting a 100% clean energy standard for Michigan by 2040, which Republicans have predicted will increase energy bills. James also called for overhauling the Michigan Public Service Commission, which approves energy rate increases. On health care costs, James promised to bring price transparency and Cox said he would push back against hospital consolidation. All three candidates blasted housing regulations they said stifle supply and drive up costs. To make housing more affordable, James also floated a down payment assistance pilot program.
Like his opponents, Cox described tax cuts as a way to unleash economic prosperity but included in his message a critique of the state’s current economic development approach. He blasted corporate subsidies from the state to create jobs in Michigan, telling viewers that the government is “trying to buy jobs, taking your tax dollars and giving them to big corporations.”
Candidates went on to describe an education crisis in Michigan, pointing to the state’s slide in reading scores and other troubling trends
James touted his proposed “Parents’ Bill of Rights for Michigan” from the debate stage, which would require schools to provide lesson plans on “sensitive topics like sexuality, gender ideology, or race” and allow parents to opt their child out of “instruction on controversial subjects.”
“We should be prioritizing academics over activism,” James said
Cox said that Michigan’s poor education performance motivated his run for office. He said he would borrow from Mississippi’s policy playbook for improving literacy and cast teachers’ unions as an enemy, vowing to fight the Michigan Education Association. All three candidates also talked about the need to emphasize skilled trades training in schools
While the debate featured more policy talk than the previous night’s debate on Fox 2 Detroit (WJBK-TV), the candidates frequently resorted to personal attacks and each described himself as the most electable
Cox has called James a hypocrite for advocating for onshoring jobs while he argues his family’s logistics company – which serves the automotive industry – has profited from outsourcing, a claim James denies. (A previous Detroit Free Press review found that the company appears to handle goods imported from China, although these shipments seem to make up a much smaller share compared with the export side of the business.)
“You’re the son of a CEO. That’s why you smile about people losing their jobs. I’m not. I’m here to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves,” Cox said
James fired back. “Mike Cox, I’m the son of a CEO who was a truck driver. His father was a mason. His father was a sharecropper, and his father was a slave. How dare you shame the steps it takes to come up from Mississippi and build a life of prosperity for a family like mine.”
The primary will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4
James notched President Donald Trump’s endorsement – a coveted prize in a GOP primary – just before absentee ballots began hitting voters’ mailboxes. (Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, who still appears on the ballot, has dropped out of the GOP gubernatorial race and endorsed James.)
The Democratic gubernatorial primary is a two-way race between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The GOP and Democratic nominees will face off in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits
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Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743
