DeBoyer Expected To Be Named James' LG

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/12/2026) House Oversight Chair Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) is said to be U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township)' pick for lieutenant governor, after Macomb County Chair Gus Ghanam shared the news at a nominating convention planning meeting tonight.

The Michigan Republican Party's 10th congressional caucus met tonight to prepare for the party's Aug. 22 nomination convention in Mount Pleasant. At the end of the meeting, which was attended by dozens of people and held at James' campaign office in Sterling Heights, Ghanam signaled that DeBoyer was aligned to be James' lieutenant governor pick.

Under that situation, the Macomb County and Saint Clair County GOPs could be in a position to help pick DeBoyer's replacement on the ballot for the 63rd House District.

A public announcement, MIRS has learned, is expected to take place Thursday. He would need to clear the Republican convention in Mount Pleasant the weekend after next.

A call to DeBoyer was not returned on Wednesday.

If DeBoyer were offered and opted to accept a lieutenant governor nomination, he would not be able to continue seeking reelection to the 63rd state House seat. The parties of Macomb and Saint Clair counties would be required to come together to select a replacement candidate for DeBoyer's seat, as was done when then-Rep. Brian Calley was tapped in to become former Gov. Rick Snyder's lieutenant governor about 16 years ago.

It would also make 2026 the first time since 1978 that Republicans did not have a woman at the top of their statewide ticket.

DeBoyer could help James repair relationships with the grassroots faction of the party, which grew further skeptical of him when he did not participate in the majority of primary debates and forums.

DeBoyer, as the former St. Clair County clerk, has not shied away from scrutinizing Michigan's elections operations. His oversight panel has been openly skeptical and used to challenge state government in general and the Secretary of State's office, in particular.

Last May, the House voted to hold Benson in civil contempt for declining to fully comply with previous subpoenas asking for election training documents. The vote came after DeBoyer and House Elections Integrity Committee Chair Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) asked for the documents numerous times since the 2024 election.

DeBoyer, a Clay Republican, is a second-term member and chief lieutenant in the House Republican leadership team. He was the St. Clair Clerk for 12 years, beginning in 2011 when he was selected by the 31st Circuit Court judges to fill the unexpired term of Marilyn Dunn. He was elected to a four-year term as the Clay Township supervisor in 2008 before that.

A lifelong resident of St. Clair County, DeBoyer graduated from Algonac High School in 1988 and attended St. Clair Community College from 1989 to 1990. He has been a small business owner since 1994, specializing in engineered lumber. He is married and has two adult children.

James Wants Transgender Girls Banned From Girls Sports

In other news, Republican gubernatorial nominee John James (R-Shelby Township) said Wednesday he would seek to bar transgender girls from participating in girls’ school sports in Michigan, framing the issue as one of fairness and safety as high school athletic practices get underway.

James’ campaign pointed to three Michigan school districts currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights over alleged Title IX violations involving transgender students. The campaign also criticized the Michigan High School Athletic Association for not changing its policy following recent U.S. Supreme Court action involving state laws restricting transgender participation in girls’ sports.

“Modern leftists are advocating for a position where biological men can dominate biological women. I fundamentally have a problem with that. It’s not just a matter of tradition. It’s a matter of safety and fairness," James said.

The campaign contrasted James’ position with Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson, arguing she has declined to support restrictions on transgender athletes in girls’ competition. James said that, if elected governor, he would work to ensure girls compete against other girls and would seek policies governing both athletic competition and locker room access.