Perry Johnson Discusses His Vision for Michigan’s Future in 2026 Election Campaign
With Michigan’s 2026 primary election set for August 4, the race for the governor’s office is heating up. As voters prepare to select the candidates who will appear on the November ballot, the spotlight is turning to the major contenders. In a recent series of interviews on Morning Edition, Republican candidate Perry Johnson shared his plans for the state if elected.
Perry Johnson, a businessman and author, previously attempted a gubernatorial run in 2022 but did not make the ballot. Speaking with host Doug Tribou, Johnson outlined his top priorities, starting with the elimination of the state income tax, which currently stands at $13.5 billion. “I’ve spent my entire life bringing quality and efficiency to companies,” said Johnson, expressing his desire to apply these principles to state governance.
Another significant component of Johnson’s campaign is the “MEGA” audit — Michigan Efficiency Government Audit. He proposes this initiative to thoroughly evaluate the state’s operations. “If you’re going to cut, you first have to find out where the weaknesses are,” he explained. Johnson criticized the current administration under Governor Whitmer for not permitting comprehensive audits, suggesting that his approach would identify inefficiencies and save taxpayers money.
Although Michigan already conducts various audits through its Independent Office of the Auditor General and the Office of Internal Audit Services, Johnson emphasized the need for specific efficiency audits. He also introduced his book’s concept, “Two Cents to Save America,” advocating for a systematic reduction of expenses by two cents on every dollar spent.
When asked about potential revenue offsets should the state income tax be abolished, Johnson stood firm on his belief in efficiency and quality, citing his extensive experience with Perry Johnson Registrars, Laboratory Accreditation, and Food Safety. “This is my expertise. This is what I do,” he stated confidently.
The interview also touched on immigration enforcement and data center development. Johnson expressed support for former President Trump’s immigration policies, citing local incidents of crime in his area. Regarding data centers, he proposed a one-year moratorium to assess environmental impacts, arguing against the need for substantial tax incentives given Michigan’s favorable climate for such facilities.
In response to why Trump endorsed another Republican candidate, Congressman John James, Johnson acknowledged political dynamics, noting the close ties between James’ campaign and Trump’s advisors. Despite this, he remains optimistic about his chances, saying, “We’re in pretty good shape and we’re probably going to win this despite that.”
Editor’s note: Some quotes in this article have been lightly edited for length and clarity. You can play the full audio of this interview near the top of this page.
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