Michigan U.S. Rep. John James is the latest major candidate to enter the state’s gubernatorial race. As a part of the weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the Republican candidate’s chance of becoming the next governor of Michigan. They also discuss Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recent visit with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

Then, Glenn Stevens, executive director from MichAuto at the Detroit Regional Chamber, makes a pit stop and talks to the team about the recent tariff news.

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In this episode:

• What inspired Congressman John James to run for governor of Michigan
• Whitmer’s Oval Office meeting with Trump
• How the Trump administration tariffs are affecting Michigan’s auto industry

President Trump’s tariffs have affected many industries all over the country and around the world, including in Michigan.

Stevens said that Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs are good for the economy, but the 25% tariffs on the auto industry that remain have caused a lot of uncertainty.

“The tariffs that are in place of imported vehicles, — imported components, the steel and aluminum tariffs —  those are still in place,” he said. “So we’re still in it in regard to the challenges in our industry.”

Other factors, like changes made during the pandemic and the national focus on growing the electric vehicle market, have also contributed to the volatility facing Michigan’s auto industry, Stevens said. And that can translate to higher prices for consumers.

“If tariffs persist, we are absolutely going to see an increase in vehicle prices. The reason for that is because the input costs stack up to the supply chain as you build the components up to the assembly plant, and a lot of cost is being added to the system,” Stevens said. “That either has to be absorbed by the companies — and that means profits are going to take a hit — or it’s passed along, and I think inevitably we’re going to see it passed along.”

–WDET Digital Editor Jenny Sherman contributed to this report.

More from WDET:

• WATCH: Whitmer delivers policy address in DC, meets with Trump
• Analyst: Trump tariffs mean recession is likely for Michigan, Ontario
• Rep. John James seeks GOP nomination for Michigan governor

U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) will not seek reelection to Congress in 2026, running instead for Michigan governor.

The two-term U.S. House member posted his announcement on social media Monday

“It’s time to get Michigan out of fantasyland and back to common sense,” he said. “President Trump and I have been in each other’s corner through thick and thin for eight years — no reason that will end now.”

In a statement, the Democratic Governors Association took aim at James’ support for Trump.

“John James has spent his time in Congress putting his own extreme partisan politics first, and now he’s running to bring the chaos and dysfunction of D.C. to Michigan,” said the DGA.

The 10th Congressional District encompasses southern Macomb County and Rochester and Rochester Hills in Oakland County. It is a swing district and James’ decision gives Democrats a larger hope of flipping it in November.

James is currently the only Black member of Michigan’s congressional delegation. He previously lost two successive runs for a U.S. Senate seat — the 2020 race by a narrow margin — before running for and winning a U.S. House seat.

State Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) and former U.S. House candidate Anthony Hudson have also announced they are seeking the GOP nomination. Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has also formed a campaign committee and 2022 GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon — who lost by more than 10 points — is considering another run for statewide office.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, cannot run again because of term limits.

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson are seeking the Democratic nomination in the August primary. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is also running as an independent. 

It’s been more than 100 days since Michigan’s 35th district has had representation. When will there be a special election to fill the seat? This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Alethia Kasben sat down with Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. She discusses the significance of that seat, the current status of the state legislature, road funding and her plans for the future. 

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode:

• The status of the open Senate seat in Michigan’s 35th district
• Brinks on how well the legislature has been working with each other
• Brinks’ plans after the end of her term

Brinks shared that the 2025 legislature has shown potential for bipartisanship despite the unprecedented occurrences these last couple of months.

“In terms of the entire legislature being able to work together across the aisle — I think we’ve proven it’s possible,” she said. “Still some potential for improvement there.”

The Senate majority leader also acknowledged that things are a bit “antagonistic” in the state House. 

The 35th Senate district seat is still vacant, and despite Senate Democrats handling constituent work in that area, Brinks believes when the time comes the state Democrats will produce a candidate to cover the seat.  

“It’s going to be critical that we maintain that seat so that we can maintain the majority,” she said. “We stand in an incredibly positive position when it comes to our chances of maintaining it.”

Brinks shared examples like in Pennsylvania, where a state Democrat won in a race that went for Trump by nearly 15 points. It is up to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call for a special election.  

More from WDET:

• MichMash: The road ahead with incoming Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks
• Republicans urge road funding revision as Legislature resumes lame duck session this week
• MichMash: Michigan AG discusses legal challenges to Trump, open US Senate seat