Updated Aug. 13, 2026, 9:51 a.m. ET
GOP gubernatorial candidate U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, has tapped state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, as his selection for lieutenant governor, a running mate with a history of fighting Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic pick to be Michigan’s next governor.
James made the announcement in an Aug. 13 post on the social media platform X, touting DeBoyer’s experience in business, local government and elections.
“He knows how to work with both parties in the Legislature to get things done,” James wrote. “He will lead the fight against corruption, fraud, waste, and abuse, protecting core services while fixing what’s broken.”
DeBoyer chairs the Michigan House of Representatives’ Oversight Committee. In his role, he has battled James’ opponent. For instance, DeBoyer has accused Benson of obscuring training materials for election officials from state lawmakers. Benson has argued that some of the materials sought could make Michigan vulnerable to attacks, such as an effort to tamper with equipment or impersonate an election official. During a fiery exchange in a June 2025 committee hearing, he zeroed in on her violation of the state’s campaign law when she held a launch event for her campaign for governor in the building that houses her department’s offices.
DeBoyer was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022. His district includes parts of Macomb and St. Clair counties. He previously served as St. Clair County’s clerk for 12 years and as Clay Township’s trustee and supervisor. He has owned a lumber business since 1994, according to the Michigan House Republicans’ website.
The Michigan GOP will hold its next convention Aug. 22, when the party will formally nominate Republicans for lieutenant governor and several other statewide offices.
DeBoyer ran unopposed in the recent August primary election to keep his current seat in the Michigan Legislature. If nominated as GOP’s pick for lieutenant governor, local GOP party leaders will select a candidate to replace him to represent the solidly Republican district. That process played out in 2010, when then-GOP candidate for governor Rick Snyder tapped state Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, to be his running mate when Calley had just won the GOP primary for a seat in the Michigan Senate.
Benson must choose her running mate by Aug. 25. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits. The election to replace her will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3.
This story was updated to add new information and because an earlier version had an inaccuracy.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.