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2026 Michigan gubernatorial election
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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 is term-limited and cannot seek re-election to 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.
Background
[edit]Michigan is a purple state in the heart of the Great Lakes and Rust Belt regions.
Democrats occupy all of Michigan's statewide offices, including both of its U.S. Senate seats, and hold a slight majority in the state Senate while Republicans have a moderate edge in the Michigan House of Representatives. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for president, won Michigan in 2016 and 2024, serving nonconsecutive terms in the White House, but lost it to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, with all three elections decided by narrow margins.
Incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, running with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, has won both of her terms by relatively comfortable margins, first elected by 9.5% in 2018[1] and re-elected by 10.5% in 2022.[2]
Democratic primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)[3]
- Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[4]
- Marni Sawicki, former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida (2013–2017)[5]
- Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)[6]
Potential
[edit]- Andy Levin, former U.S. representative from Michigan's 9th congressional district (2019–2023)[7]
Declined
[edit]- Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–2025), former mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020), and candidate for president in 2020[8]
- Dan Kildee, former U.S. representative from Michigan's 8th congressional district (2013–2025)[9]
- Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[10] (running for U.S. Senate)[11]
- Gary Peters, U.S. senator (2015–present)[12]
Endorsements
[edit]Jocelyn Benson
- U.S. Representatives
- Mark Schauer, former U.S. representative from MI-7 (2009–2011) and nominee for governor in 2014[13]
- State legislators
- Sean McCann, state senator from the 19th district (2019–present)[13]
- 15 state representatives[13]
- Local officials
- David LaGrand, mayor of Grand Rapids (2025–present)[13]
- Organizations
Garlin Gilchrist
- State legislators
- Veronica Klinefelt, state senator from the 11th district (2023–present)[18]
- Paul Wojno, state senator from the 10th district (2019–present)[18]
- 9 state representatives[18]
Chris Swanson
- Organizations
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 948[19]
- Iron Workers Local 25[19]
- IUOE Local 324[19]
- Teamsters Local 332[19]
Declined to endorse
- U.S. senators
- Elissa Slotkin, U.S. senator from Michigan (2025–present)[20]
- Statewide officials
- Gretchen Whitmer, incumbent governor (2019–present)[21]
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson |
Garlin Gilchrist |
Chris Swanson |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 59% | 7% | 8% | 26% |
| 65%[b] | 10% | 5% | 20% | ||||
| Mitchell Research[23][B] | March 13, 2025 | 303 (LV) | ± 5.6% | 46% | 13% | 11% | 30% |
Hypothetical polling
Republican primary
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General (2003–2011) and candidate for governor in 2010[25]
- Anthony Hudson, truck driver and candidate for Michigan's 8th congressional district in 2024[26]
- John James, U.S. representative from Michigan's 10th congressional district (2023–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020[27]
- 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[28]
- Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 20th district (2019–present)[29]
- William Null, construction manager tried and acquitted for the Gretchen Whitmer kidnapping plot[30]
Publicly expressed interest
[edit]- Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for president in 2024[31]
- Ryan Kelley, former member of the Allendale Township Planning Commission, candidate for governor in 2022, and participant in the January 6 United States Capitol attack[32]
Potential
[edit]- Dick DeVos, former CEO of Amway and nominee for governor in 2006[33]
- Kevin Rinke, former car dealer and candidate for governor in 2022[34]
Declined
[edit]- Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor in 2022[35]
Polling
[edit]Hypothetical polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Mike Cox |
Tudor Dixon |
John James |
Perry Johnson |
Tom Leonard |
Aric Nesbitt |
Kevin Rinke |
Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 11% | 20% | 42% | – | – | 5% | – | – | 22% |
| 10%[b] | 24% | 44% | – | – | 4% | – | – | 18% | ||||
| Mitchell Research[23][B] | March 13, 2025 | 281 (LV) | ± 5.8% | 10% | 30% | 31% | 8% | 1% | 5% | – | – | 15% |
| Target Insyght[24] | March 3–6, 2025 | 336 (V) | ± 5.7% | 5% | – | 57% | 1% | – | 13% | – | – | 23% |
| National Research (R)[36][C] | February 17–19, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 10% | – | 38% | – | – | 17% | – | 8% | 27% |
| OnMessage Inc.(R)[37][D] | January 17–19, 2025 | 1,000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 4% | – | 46% | – | 1% | 6% | 3% | 6% | 35% |
Independents
[edit]Candidates
[edit]Declared
[edit]- Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)[38]
Endorsements
[edit]Mike Duggan
- State representatives
- Karen Whitsett, state representative from the 4th district (2019–present) (Democratic)[39]
- Local officials
- Mary Waters, at-large Detroit city councilor (2022–present) (Democratic)[39]
- Individuals
- William Clay Ford Jr., executive chair of Ford Motor Company (1999–present)[40]
- Organizations
General election
[edit]Predictions
[edit]| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| The Cook Political Report[42] | Tossup | January 23, 2025 |
| Inside Elections[43] | Battleground | February 6, 2025 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[44] | Tossup | May 1, 2025 |
| Race to the WH[45] | Tossup | June 30, 2025 |
Polling
[edit]Jocelyn Benson vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson (D) |
John James (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 35% | 34% | 22% | 9% |
| 38%[b] | 33% | 21% | 8% | ||||
| Mitchell Research[23][B] | March 13, 2025 | 688 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 37% | 34% | 16% | 13% |
| Target Insyght[46] | February 3–8, 2025 | 600 (V) | ± 4.0% | 42% | 30% | 21% | 7% |
Jocelyn Benson vs. Mike Cox vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson (D) |
Mike Cox (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 35% | 27% | 25% | 13% |
| 39%[b] | 26% | 25% | 10% | ||||
| Mitchell Research[23][B] | March 13, 2025 | 688 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 37% | 35% | 16% | 12% |
Jocelyn Benson vs. Aric Nesbitt vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson (D) |
Aric Nesbitt (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 36% | 26% | 25% | 13% |
| 40%[b] | 26% | 25% | 9% |
Chris Swanson vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Chris Swanson (D) |
John James (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 30% | 35% | 25% | 10% |
| 33%[b] | 34% | 26% | 7% |
Garlin Gilchrist vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Garlin Gilchrist (D) |
John James (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 29% | 35% | 25% | 11% |
| 33%[b] | 34% | 25% | 8% |
Hypothetical polling
Jocelyn Benson vs. Dick DeVos vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson (D) |
Dick DeVos (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EPIC-MRA[33] | February 3–8, 2025 | 600 (LV) | ± 4.0% | 31% | 31% | 23% | 15% |
Jocelyn Benson vs. Tudor Dixon vs. Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size[a] |
Margin of error |
Jocelyn Benson (D) |
Tudor Dixon (R) |
Mike Duggan (I) |
Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glengariff Group[22][A] | May 5−8, 2025 | 600 (RV) | ± 4.0% | 35% | 31% | 24% | 10% |
| 40%[b] | 31% | 23% | 6% | ||||
| Mitchell Research[23][B] | March 13, 2025 | 688 (LV) | ± 3.7% | 38% | 36% | 16% | 10% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- Partisan clients
References
[edit]- ^ Leip, David. "2018 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Michigan". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Leip, David. "2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Michigan". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
- ^ Hendrickson, Clara (January 22, 2025). "Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, announces run for Michigan governor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- ^ Kamisar, Ben (March 11, 2025). "Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist launches a run for governor, setting up a major 2026 race". NBC News. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
- ^ Harpster, Dayna (April 6, 2025). "Former Cape Coral mayor seeks Michigan governor's seat". WGCU. Retrieved May 8, 2025.
- ^ Cappelletti, Joey (February 6, 2025). "Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor". Associated Press. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (March 21, 2025). "Morning Digest, sponsored by Liftoff Campaigns: How Dick Durbin plans to decide whether to seek a sixth term". The Downballot. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
Former Democratic Rep. Andy Levin tells Inside Elections' Jacob Rubashkin that he's received encouragement to run for...Senate, governor, attorney general, and two different House districts—the 10th and 11th.
- ^ "Pete Buttigieg won't seek US Senate seat in Michigan, leaving door wide open for 2028 run". AP News. March 13, 2025. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
- ^ Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ Schuster, Simon (November 11, 2024). "Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
- ^ Kamisar, Ben (April 2, 2025). "Mallory McMorrow jumps into Michigan's Senate race with a call for change in the Democratic Party". NBC News. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ Burke, Melissa Nann. "Michigan's Gary Peters won't seek reelection to U.S. Senate. Here's why". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Bournonville, Alexandria (January 23, 2025). "Michigan Dems show support for Benson after announcing run for governor". WJMN-TV. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ Marquez, Alexandra (January 23, 2025). "Emily's List endorses Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's bid for governor". NBC News. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor". End Citizens United. January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ https://www.votemamapac.org/candidates
- ^ "UFCW 951 Endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor". facebook. March 11, 2025. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c Mauger, Craig (July 8, 2025). "Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist picks up endorsements from Democratic lawmakers". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Ball, Hannah (February 7, 2025). "Swanson announces run for Governor". Tri-City Times. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Meerschaert, Kevin (April 28, 2025). "Sloktin won't make endorsement on Governor or Senate primary". WEMU. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Detroit Regional Chamber/Glengariff Group May 2025 Political Survey Report" (PDF). Detroit Regional Chamber. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Benson-James/Dixon Top Candidates for Governor" (PDF). RealClearPolitics. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
- ^ a b "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
- ^ Foster, Wells (April 15, 2025). "Former AG Mike Cox announces run for governor". WILX. Retrieved April 15, 2025.
- ^ Jeltema, Ryan (February 13, 2025). "Republican from Grand Blanc Township announces run for governor". WJRT-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Powers, Sara (April 7, 2025). "Rep. John James announces run for Michigan governor". WDIV-TV. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ Solis, Ben (June 17, 2025). "Former Michigan House speaker joins Republican gubernatorial fray". Michigan Advance. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
- ^ Buss, Kaitlyn (January 14, 2025). "Top GOP lawmaker launches run for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
- ^ Nichols, Anna. "Gun advocates gather on the Michigan Capitol lawn to slam Democrats' gun reforms". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
At the event, William Null announced he'd try to run for governor of Michigan in 2026.
- ^ Burke, Melissa Nann; Mauger, Craig (January 28, 2025). "Here's who could run for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 ― and who's already out". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
Johnson confirmed he was considering a bid for governor
- ^ Swenson, Ali (April 20, 2025). "Some Jan. 6 convicts pardoned by Trump are now embraced as heroes and candidates for office". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
- ^ a b Spangler, Todd (February 11, 2025). "Michigan poll: Democrats face uncertain road in 2026 races". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
- ^ Mauger, Craig; LeBlanc, Beth; Nann Burke, Melissa (June 21, 2025). "Insider: Who might join Michigan's race for governor next?". Detroit News. Archived from the original on June 22, 2025. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
Many Republicans still expect businessman Kevin Rinke...to join the 2026 race for governor.
- ^ Sergent, Katie (July 9, 2025). "Tudor Dixon will not run for Michigan governor, U.S. Senate in 2026". WWMT. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "GOPAC's early poll of next year's GOP primary for governor of Michigan shows Rep. John James beating its endorsed candidate, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, 38-17. The memo argues Nesbitt will pull ahead once voters learn more about him". March 5, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025 – via Bluesky.
- ^ Sellek, John (January 29, 2025). "MIGOV Poll Shows U.S. Rep. John James Leading GOP Primary for Governor". Harbor Strategic Public Affairs.
- ^ 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
- ^ {{Cite news |url=https://x.com/NoLabelsOrg/status/1942281146110296083
- ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ^ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
External links
[edit]- Official campaign websites
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