LANSING, Mich. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson accused one of his primary opponents, U.S. Rep. John James, on Friday of playing "the race card," while others said it was Johnson who had introduced the topic of race into the campaign. At a debate in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Johnson, a businessman from Bloomfield Hills, criticized James, who is Black and a second-term ...

John James and Perry Johnson, the three Republican candidates for Governor in Michigan, participate in a debate hosted by WJBK-TV on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, in Southfield, Michigan.

Katy Kildee, The Detroit News/The Detroit News/TNS

LANSING, Mich. — Republican gubernatorial candidate Perry Johnson accused one of his primary opponents, U.S. Rep. John James, on Friday of playing "the race card," while others said it was Johnson who had introduced the topic of race into the campaign.

At a debate in Grand Rapids on Thursday, Johnson, a businessman from Bloomfield Hills, criticized James, who is Black and a second-term congressman, for campaign contributions he had received. In response, James said, "I know when you were born, Black people could still be bought and sold in this country, but no one owns me."

Johnson, who's 78, held a press conference to discuss the remark on Friday, contending it was a "shameful attempt" by James to distract from his relationship with interest groups.

"I got this race card on me," Johnson told reporters at one point.

James, who has the endorsement of Republican President Donald Trump, has accused his opponents — both Johnson and former Attorney General Mike Cox of Livonia — of being desperate and "flooding the zone with B.S." ahead of the Aug. 4 primary election.

A James campaign official declined to comment on Johnson's Friday press conference. James is expected to make an appearance at a Ted Nugent concert in Sterling Heights later in the day.

Johnson’s campaign has been airing ads labeling James a “DEI candidate," referring to diversity, equity and inclusion programs that the Trump administration has targeted for elimination.

On Thursday, Johnson said the ad was about James' business receiving DEI awards and denied it had anything to do with James being the only candidate of color in the race. The Oakland County businessman said he is “colorblind.”

“It has nothing to do with that,” Johnson said. “I don’t think it has any relevance whatsoever.”

But Jimmy Greene, a prominent Black political and business figure from Saginaw, labeled the Johnson commercials overtly racist.

Greene was a delegate for GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley in 2024.

"I’ve defended Republicans from Ronald Reagan to (George W.) Bush, (John) McCain, (Mitt) Romney, (Rick) Snyder and Tudor (Dixon) from these frivolous charges over decades. So when I call someone racist, I mean it," Greene said.

Johnson told reporters on Friday that he doesn't notice racial differences, partially because of his involvement in sports.

"We are a melting pot in this country, and eventually, we just blend in," Johnson said.

Johnson calls on other Republicans to return of all Rakolta donations

He added that he was concerned about the thousands of dollars in campaign contributions James had received from individuals who build data centers, including members of the Rakolta family who lead the Michigan-based construction company Walbridge.

"When you have people that are investing an incredible amount of money in your campaign, well, they're going to expect something in return, and it happens a lot," Johnson said.

Johnson said all Michigan Republicans who have received money from the Rakoltas should return it.

Over the last 10 years, John Rakolta, chairman of Walbridge, has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to committees that support Trump. Asked if Trump should return money his campaign got from the Rakoltas, Johnson didn't answer directly.

"I don't know what President Trump has to do with data centers," Johnson said.

Trump's administration has taken steps to advocate for large data center projects. A year ago, the president signed an executive order to "facilitate the rapid and efficient buildout of data center infrastructure."

"I'm focused on Michigan right now," Johnson said after the Trump's administration work on data centers was mentioned.

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Staff Writer Beth LeBlanc contributed.

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