Mike Cox 2026 Campaign Reports $4.1 Million Cash on Hand, $5.1 Million Raised
Fundraising Outpaces Historical Benchmarks in Open Michigan Governor Races. Trump Advisor and Cox’s Pollster Weighs In.
Livonia, MI — Mike Cox 2026 announced today it raised more than $5.1 million since its launch in April 2025, closing the last quarter with $4.1 million cash on hand (COH) and more than $500,000 raised in the last quarter.
Bottom Line:
Mike Cox enters 2026 with one of the strongest financial positions of any Michigan gubernatorial candidate in a competitive, open-seat race in history.
What they’re saying:
John McLaughlin, President Trump’s 2024 pollster and a senior advisor to the Cox campaign:
“When you look at the public polls, Mike Cox is the only candidate showing real movement toward the front-runner. That combination of improving numbers, strong fundraising, and growing grassroots support is exactly what it takes to challenge and overtake a leader in a statewide race.”
McLaughlin’s polling and advice was instrumental to President Trump’s 2024 win in Michigan.
By the numbers (year-end 2025):
$500,000+ raised in the final reporting period
$5.1M+ raised since April 2025 launch
$4.1M COH
Historical context:
Cox’s financial position exceeds that of recent winning candidates at comparable points:
2009 Rick Snyder: $1.40M COH
2017 Gretchen Whitmer: $1.87M COH
2025 Mike Cox: $4.1M COH
Campaign momentum:
The campaign continues to build on its October 20th filing, when Cox led the field.
Mike Cox $3.8M
John James: $2.2M
All other candidates trailed James
What campaign leadership says:
“This report shows we’re building the kind of campaign that wins statewide in Michigan,” said Campaign Manager Teemu Garrity. “Republicans want to win. They don’t deserve candidates who are lazy, disorganized or cannot raise the money to beat Democrats in the fall. Mike’s fundraising shows he is in it to win it in August and November. And, he’s the only candidate who has never turned his back on Donald Trump.”
Political landscape:
President Trump has publicly expressed reservations about John James’s candidacy. Voters and donors are responding by moving toward Cox’s campaign, which continues traveling statewide and expanding its grassroots network.
What’s next:
With strong fundraising, growing grassroots support, and improving public polling, the Cox campaign enters the election year positioned to compete aggressively for the Republican nomination and the general election.