The 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist are term-limited and are ineligible to seek a third term. This will be one of five Democratic-held governorships up for election in 2026 in a state won by Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
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Democratic primary
editCandidates
editPublicly expressed interest
edit- Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)[1][2]
- Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present), former mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020), and candidate for president in 2020[1]
- Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[3]
- Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[1]
- Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)[1][4]
Potential
edit- Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)[5]
- Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive (2011–present)[1]
- Joe Tate, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (2023–2025) from the 10th district (2019–present)[1]
Declined
edit- Dan Kildee, former U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2013–2025)[5]
Endorsements
editDeclined to endorse
- Statewide officials
- Gretchen Whitmer, incumbent governor (2019–present)[6]
Republican primary
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 20th district (2019–present)[7]
Formed exploratory committee
edit- Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General (2003–2011) and candidate for governor in 2010[8]
Publicly expressed interest
edit- Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor in 2022[1][9]
- Jonathan Lindsey, state senator from the 17th district (2023–present)[10]
Potential
edit- Dick DeVos, former CEO of Amway and nominee for governor in 2006[11]
- Pete Hoekstra, chair of the Michigan Republican Party (2024–present), former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands (2018–2021), former U.S. representative for Michigan's 2nd congressional district (1993–2011), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012[1]
- John James, U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2023–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020[12][1]
- Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for president in 2024[13]
- Tom Leonard, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (2017–2019) from the 93rd district (2013–2019), nominee for attorney general in 2018 and candidate in 2022[14][13]
- Lisa McClain, U.S. representative for Michigan's 9th congressional district (2021–present)[1]
- Peter Meijer, former U.S. representative for Michigan's 3rd congressional district (2021–2023) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024[1]
- Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner (2017–present), former U.S. representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2003–2016), and former Michigan Secretary of State (1995–2003)[11]
- Kevin Rinke, former car dealer and candidate for governor in 2022[1]
- Mike Rogers, former U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2001–2015) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024[11]
- Garrett Soldano, chiropractor and candidate for governor in 2022[1]
Independents
editCandidates
editDeclared
edit- Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)[15]
Endorsements
editMike Duggan
- State representatives
- Karen Whitsett, state representative from the 4th district (2019–present) (Democratic)[16]
- Local officials
- Mary Waters, at-large Detroit city councilor (2022–present) (Democratic)[16]
- Individuals
- William Clay Ford Jr., executive chair of Ford Motor Company (1999–present)[17]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Schuster, Simon (November 11, 2024). "Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Nissen, Jack; Skubick, Tim (September 5, 2023). "Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor? Secretary of state says she's looking 'closely' at future run". WJBK. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (January 16, 2025). "Morning Digest: A New Mexico heavyweight could see a contested primary for governor". The Downballot. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- ^ Fonger, Ron (August 2, 2023). "Governor Swanson? Genesee County sheriff says a statewide run could be in his future". MLive Media Group. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Lengel, Allan (January 10, 2025). "Michigan Gov. Whitmer Won't Endorse Lt. Gov. Gilchrist or Anyone Else For Governor in Primary". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
- ^ Buss, Kaitlyn (January 14, 2025). "Top GOP lawmaker launches run for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ Hendrickson, Clara (December 23, 2024). "Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox mulls gubernatorial run". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
- ^ Skubick, Tim (August 14, 2024). "Republican Tudor Dixon not ruling out running for governor in 2026 race". WJBK. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
- ^ Skubick, Tim (November 26, 2024). "Add another name for guv". The Alpena News. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c Skubick, Tim (November 8, 2024). "The next Michigan governor - there's no shortage of contenders, says Lansing insider". WJBK. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Gibbons, Lauren (May 30, 2024). "Michigan governor run? Duggan, Benson, Gilchrist spur speculation". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Finley, Nolan (November 30, 2024). "Duggan will trigger early start to 2026 governor's race". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (November 15, 2024). "Morning Digest: It's game on for one of the biggest races of 2026". The Downballot. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
- ^ Epstein, Reid (December 4, 2024). "Detroit's Mayor, a Democrat, Will Run for Michigan Governor as an Independent". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ a b Robinson, Sam (December 5, 2024). "Knives out: Benson, Duggan fire opening shots in Michigan governor's race". Detroit One Million – via Substack.
- ^ LeBlanc, Beth; Mauger, Craig (December 4, 2024). "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan launches independent campaign for governor of Michigan". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
Ford Motor Co. issued a statement from Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. endorsing Duggan's independent bid