Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Perry Johnson Files Lawsuit Against John James Over Campaign Materials
LANSING — Perry Johnson's campaign has filed a lawsuit against U.S. Rep. John James alleging that the congressman's campaign logo violates Michigan's false-incumbency law by suggesting he already holds the governor's office.
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the Ingham County Circuit Court and centers on James' campaign logo, a shield featuring an American flag, a helicopter, and the words "John James Governor." The logo appears on James' campaign website, in television advertisements, and on printed campaign materials.
Johnson's attorneys argue that the phrase "John James Governor" without the word "for" or qualifying language "conveys to voters that James currently holds the office of governor." Michigan Compiled Law 168.944 makes it a misdemeanor to "otherwise indicate, represent or give the impression that a candidate for public office is the incumbent, when in fact the candidate is not the incumbent."
Both Campaigns Trade Accusations
Hannah Osantowske, a spokesperson for John James' campaign, called Johnson's lawsuit a "desperate ploy" and said it would be "just as successful as the $30 million he spent opposing President Trump," referencing Johnson's failed 2024 presidential bid.
Johnson, a Bloomfield Hills businessman, has spent at least $14 million of his own money in the gubernatorial race since entering in January. His advisor John Yob said James' "entire campaign strategy is based on dishonesty" and that the logo "charade will end in court."
The complaint notes that Johnson was booted from the 2022 August primary ballot due to widespread fraud affecting petition submissions. His team has been through similar challenges before.
Campaign Materials Include Logo on Petition Boxes
The lawsuit alleges that the disputed logo appears not only on campaign websites and advertisements but also on the boxes used to turn in nominating petitions. Johnson's attorneys argue that voters seeing the petition boxes with the logo would "reasonably conclude James is either the sitting governor or the Republican nominee."
Matthew DePerno, a Republican lawyer and former attorney general nominee, is representing Johnson in the lawsuit. The complaint seeks a court order requiring James to stop printing and distributing any materials that use the phrase "John James Governor" without qualifying language.
James Remains Frontrunner Despite Avoiding Debates
The lawsuit is the latest development in a contentious Republican primary to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Gretchen Whitmer. Recent polling from Emerson College found both candidates polling within one percentage point of each other among likely primary voters. Johnson received 21% support, while James received 20% in a sample of 452 Republican primary voters.
James has avoided attending several key debates and forums that other Republican gubernatorial candidates have attended. Johnson has criticized this strategy in television ads, showing footage of James speaking about "career politicians."
Other Republican candidates running for the open governor's seat include state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, and pastor Ralph Rebandt.
Polling Shows Tight Race
The race has intensified since Johnson entered the race at the turn of the year, bringing millions of his own money to fund his campaign. Recent polling shows James and Johnson now neck and neck in the race for the top position in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
The Board of State Canvassers will soon parse any direct challenges to the validity of the candidates' signatures, a process that could potentially end with one or several candidates removed from the ballot if their nominating signatures are deemed invalid.