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John James wins Republican nomination for Michigan governor, will face Democrat Jocelyn Benson

✇Michigan Radio
By: Steve Carmody
5 August 2026 at 02:32
Democratic nominee "Jocelyn Benson promises a new direction, but she’s been a part of the leadership that got us lost in the first place," U.S. Rep. John James told supporters at his victory party Tuesday night, August 4, 2026.
Democratic nominee "Jocelyn Benson promises a new direction, but she’s been a part of the leadership that got us lost in the first place," U.S. Rep. John James told supporters at his victory party Tuesday night, August 4, 2026.(Steve Carmody / Michigan Public )

Congressman John James picked up roughly half the votes in Tuesday’s Republican primary for governor.

He’ll face off against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who won the Democratic primary, in November’s general election.

Speaking to supporters in Sterling Heights, James slammed Benson for her role in state government during the past eight years.

“Jocelyn Benson promises a new direction, but she’s been a part of the leadership that got us lost in the first place,” James told attendees at his victory party.

John James acknowledged President Donald Trump in his speech. The president’s endorsement gave the James campaign a significant boost, even convincing two other candidates to withdraw from the race.

But before he turns his attention fully on the November election, James must now rally support among Republicans who didn’t vote for him.

Businessman Perry Johnson picked up about a third of the GOP vote in the primary. For months, Johnson’s campaign repeatedly attacked James, calling him a “Lying Liberal Loser.”

After James declared victory, Johnson released a written statement that does not appear to be a political olive branch: “The career politicians and special interests may win tonight, but they will not win the future. We will make Michigan great again!”

The winner of November’s general election will succeed Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited.

Feds abandon ICE detention center in Romulus

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Steve Carmody
19 June 2026 at 16:49

Plans for a federal immigration detention center in Romulus appear to be dead.

The Department of Homeland Security planned to house up to 500 detainees at a warehouse. But local residents and immigrants’ rights groups opposed those plans.

The New York Times is reporting the Romulus location is one of seven nationwide ICE is looking to sell. The agency spent more than $700 million buying warehouses to house detainees rounded up as part of a nationwide crackdown on undocumented individuals.

Back in March, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed suit to block the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

“Together we showed the federal government that they cannot come into Michigan, break our laws, disrupt our communities and expect us to sit on our hands,” Nessel said in a video statement on Thursday.

ICE’s decision to scrap its plans for a Romulus detention center is being greeted warmly by local officials.

“We want to thank DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin for listening to us and taking into consideration the issues that would have made this the wrong location for a detention facility,” said Romulus Mayor Robert McCraight in a press release.

Romulus City Council Meeting
Protesters wait to be let in at the Romulus City Council meeting. Most are turned away, told that the room already reached capacity.

“The City’s position should not be confused with opposition to responsible enforcement of our country’s laws. Instead, the facility’s proximity to residential neighborhoods, schools, and wetlands made it the wrong location. Locating a facility like this in our community would have been an incredible burden on our already limited public safety resources and a violation of our zoning ordinance,” McCraight said.

Nessel said the AG’s office will keep the lawsuit against ICE active until the paperwork for the sale of the property is complete and it’s official that DHS and ICE will not use the property for a detention center.

In Michigan, there are four county jails that hold federal detainees and one large privately owned facility.

State Representative Dylan Wegela represents Romulus. He says this is a win for are residents, but the fight isn’t over.

“We are still seeing increased funding. We are still seeing ICE operate in ways that we do not want to see. They’re taking illegal actions, repeatedly losing in court, and we got to keep fighting back,” he said in an interview with WDET on Thursday evening.

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The post Feds abandon ICE detention center in Romulus appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

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