Michigan’s 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary is beginning to take shape, and while U.S. Rep. John James is widely viewed by political insiders as the current front-runner, his continued silence on key Second Amendment issues is drawing scrutiny from Michigan gun owners.
Most notably, John James has so far refused to return the Great Lakes Gun Rights (GLGR) candidate survey, leaving Michiganders without clear, written answers on where he stands on gun rights issues specifically in the State of Michigan.
This lack of transparency is particularly notable given the sweeping gun control agenda enacted in 2023 under Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Democrats.
Those laws included:
• The expansion of Michigan’s Permit to Purchase scheme, forcing Michiganders to obtain a government permission slip to purchase ALL types of firearms, not just handguns.
• “Red Flag” gun confiscation laws, authorizing the seizure of firearms without due process, which is even being used to “Red Flag” minor children.
• Mandatory firearm storage mandates, disarming law-abiding gun owners in their own homes.
To date, John James has not publicly called for the repeal of these laws, nor has he outlined how he would address them if elected governor.
Additionally, while serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, James has declined to sponsor H.R. 645, the Real Constitutional Carry Act, legislation that would restore the right to carry nationwide and treat the Second Amendment as a fundamental right, not just a suggestion. His refusal to support this bill stands in contrast to the expectations of many gun owners in Michigan.
In contrast, several other Republican candidates have chosen to go on the record.
Former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Tom Leonard has returned the GLGR candidate survey with a 100% pro-Second Amendment score. Leonard also has a documented legislative record. As Speaker in 2017, he passed Constitutional Carry out of the Michigan House of Representatives, doing so despite opposition from members of his own political party.
In addition to his survey responses, Leonard submitted a leadership pledge stating that he would actively champion Constitutional Carry and pursue repeal of both Red Flag laws and Michigan’s draconian Permit to Purchase system.
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt has likewise returned his GLGR survey with a perfect 100% score, clearly stating his position on core Second Amendment issues.
Anthony Hudson, a minor candidate in the race, has also returned his GLGR survey with a 100% score and submitted a leadership pledge outlining his intention to proactively advance gun rights if elected.
At this time, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson have not returned GLGR surveys, and therefore have not provided written positions for comparison.
Great Lakes Gun Rights does not endorse candidates for office. Instead, GLGR provides Michigan gun owners with factual, side-by-side information on where candidates stand on the Second Amendment, based on their own written responses, public actions, and legislative records.
As the primary election approaches, gun owners are encouraged to evaluate not only polling numbers and campaign rhetoric, but also which candidates are willing to go on the record—and which remain silent—when it comes to defending and restoring the right to keep and bear arms in Michigan.
Great Lakes Gun Rights will continue to report candidate positions as surveys are returned and new information becomes available, ensuring Michigan gun owners have the facts they need to make informed decisions.