July 17 ~ Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has ended his campaign for governor, reshaping the Republican primary contest just weeks before voters head to the polls.
In a statement released Friday, Cox said President Donald Trump’s June 22 endorsement of U.S. Rep. John James fundamentally changed the dynamics of the race. Cox acknowledged that internal polling conducted after the endorsement showed James pulling ahead and becoming difficult to catch in the three-way GOP primary.
“Today I leave the race for Governor with great sadness,” Cox said, reflecting on his more than two decades of public service as a prosecutor, Michigan attorney general and Marine. Cox pledged his support to James and other Republican candidates on the November ballot.
“As President Trump has endorsed John James and ordained his primary victory, I will do whatever I can to help John James, Tony Forlini, and Doug Lloyd win in November,” Cox said in his farewell message.
James quickly welcomed the endorsement, thanking Cox for his support and calling for party unity heading into the general election. Cox’s departure narrows the Republican field to John James and businessman Perry Johnson.
The winner of the Republican primary will advance to the general election to compete for the office being vacated by term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
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