US Rep. John James is off to an early double-digit lead over businessman Perry Johnson in Michigan’s Republican primary for governor. Polls closed Tuesday at 8 p.m. across most of Michigan, although voting continued in four counties in the western Upper Peninsula that are in the central time zone.

Primary Election Results

Johnson, who has campaigned on a pledge to eliminate Michigan’s 4.25% personal income tax, has poured nearly $32 million of his personal wealth into the race, running a deluge of advertisements on airwaves and social media. National tracking firm AdImpact reported it is the most expensive gubernatorial primary in Michigan’s history, and Johnson has spent a historic amount for this stage of the campaign cycle.

James, however, is backed by Trump, along with members of the powerful DeVos family of west Michigan, who have contributed to both his campaign and a separate super PAC supporting him. He’s proposed a more gradual income tax reduction and has promised a sharp break from the policies of term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The winner of the primary will advance to the November general election against either Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson or Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who are competing for the Democratic nomination. Once Tuesday night results are finalized, the stage will be set for the gubernatorial race in Michigan, where Republicans have not won a statewide office in more than a decade.

James has built out a campaign with a broad policy portfolio, promising to focus on economic issues for Michiganders, such as cutting costs, while also tapping into culture war passions through proposals like his “parental bill of rights.”

Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.