Michigan Gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson holds campaign event at Vango’s
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MARQUETTE -- On Tuesday, Michigan gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson (R) held a meet-and-greet event at Vango's in Marquette.
Johnson, a businessman, is running in the Republican primary against United States Representative John James and former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.
Notable figures in attendance at the event included state representative Karl Bohnak, former gubernatorial candidate Ralph Rebandt and former gubernatorial candidate and Jan. 6 rioter Ryan Kelley. Johnson has been endorsed by Rebandt and Kelley.
"I'm a mile apart (from James and Cox)," said Johnson. "I'm not a politician. I'm a guy that's spent his entire life bringing quality and efficiency to business. I have the skillset to lead this government, because I want to lead the state government so we can eliminate the income tax and reform the property tax. And the only way we're gonna be able to accomplish those goals is if we stop this ridiculous spending."
Johnson previously ran for Governor in 2022, but was removed from the ballot after thousands of his required 15,000 signatures to appear on the ballot were found to be invalid.
Now in another Gubernatorial bid, Johnson said that his main motivation for running is making the state better for his children.
"I'm a fellow that has no vested interest whatsoever," said Johnson. "I have accepted no money from anyone. I have funded my own campaign. I'm not gonna take a salary as governor. I'm doing this for one reason. One reason only. I want to make this a great state again so my kids stay in the state."
Johnson cited a removal of income tax as his main strategy to succeed in this goal, saying it would "ignite the state" and citing the results in states like Tennessee who repealed their own income taxes.
Johnson also said that what sets him apart from other candidates is that his campaign is entirely self-funded.
"(in) John James' case, he takes money from everyone," said Johnson. "He doesn't put any of his money in. Not only does he take money from ... the people building the data centers, he takes money from the people powering the data centers.
"And if you take $107,000 from people building, and $39,000 from people who are powering the data centers, obviously they expect favors. You can't be in a position where you are suddenly governor and you're beholden to all these different people."
Johnson recommends voters watch the gubernatorial debates held earlier this month to see what each candidate "really thinks."
"(James) has an unusual stance, particularly for a republican," said Johnson, citing an exchange during the July 8 debate when Johnson brought up James' campaign finances, to which James responded, "Perry (Johnson), I know when you were born black people could still be bought and sold in this country, but no one owns me."
Johnson later took to social media to respond, saying "you (James) need to apologize and retract the most pathetic, unfortunate and desperate candidate mistake Michigan has ever witnessed on a debate stage ... I would expect this type of language from the liberal Democrats you vote with, but not a Republican candidate for Governor."
Johnson's campaign website lists his campaign priorities as being to audit all tax money received by the state, "end wasteful spending" by reforming state government, eliminate the state income tax and reform property taxes.
More information on Johnson's campaign can be found at https://www.perryjohnson.com/.
The Michigan primary election is Aug. 4.
Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.