LANSING, Mich. — Retired auto worker Brian Pannebecker, who's long been a staple of President Donald Trump's campaign events in Michigan, says he wants to fill a soon-to-be vacant spot on the ballot to represent a GOP-leaning state House district.

Earlier this month, Republican candidate for governor John James chose state Rep. Jay DeBoyer of Clay Township as his running mate. That means party leaders in DeBoyer's district, which features portions of Macomb County and St. Clair County, will have to pick a replacement in the coming days to run for the seat this fall.

In an interview on Aug. 21, Pannebecker, 67, of New Baltimore told The Detroit News he will be among a group of Republicans seeking DeBoyer's former position on the ballot.

"I just feel like everything I've done as a political activist has led up to this moment," Pannebecker said. "And it was something more than coincidence that Jay was chosen by John James to be his running mate.

"It's an opportunity that became available to me. And I think I'd regret it the rest of my life if I didn't take advantage of it."

Pannebecker was a Michigan auto worker for more than three decades before retiring from a position at Ford Motor Co.'s Sterling Axle Plant at the end of 2020. He first got involved in conservative politics around the year 2006, when he reached out to the organizers of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative ballot campaign and told them they needed to "up their game," he said.

Eventually, they tapped Pannebecker to support the initiative, which aimed to ban affirmative action programs that gave preferential treatment based on race or gender for public sector employment or college admissions. The initiative passed in November 2006.

Pannebecker went on to work for state Sen. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, and to found the organization Auto Workers for Trump.

When Trump holds events in Michigan, he regularly calls Pannebecker on stage to highlight his stances on the auto industry. Trump also often comments on Pannebecker's muscular appearance. At one event in 2024, Trump said, "Look at the arms on this guy."

Pannebecker said one of his priorities as a legislator would be bringing back right-to-work, a policy that bars businesses and unions from reaching agreements that require workers to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.

Republican leaders in Macomb and St. Clair counties are expected to vote on DeBoyer's replacement next week.

In addition to Pannebecker, former state Rep. Pam Hornberger, a Chesterfield Township Republican, and Mike Grover, who's been active in local Republican politics, are also hoping to fill DeBoyer's position on the ballot.

Hornberger, currently a Chesterfield Township trustee, left the Legislature in 2022 under the former term limits. Under new limits set that same year, Hornberger could serve another three terms in the state House.

The former art teacher argued she was best suited to hit the ground running after her prior experience in the chamber. But she acknowledged there may be some contention in the race to replace DeBoyer.

“Learning a lot about loyalty and integrity, or the lack thereof, from a few I supported/trusted,” Hornberger said on social media Aug. 18. “There are still great people on my side.”

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