2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

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2026 Michigan gubernatorial election
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  3x4.svg 3x4.svg Mike Duggan 8r4a8513 54264084636 (2).jpg
NomineeTBDTBD Mike Duggan
Party Democratic Republican Independent
Incumbent Governor

Gretchen Whitmer
Democratic



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.

Contents

Background

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. She was first elected by 9.5% in 2018 [1] and re-elected by 10.5% in 2022. [2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Potential

Declined

Endorsements

Jocelyn Benson
U.S. Representatives
State senators
State representatives
Municipal officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Garlin Gilchrist
State senators
State representatives
Declined to endorse
U.S. senators
Statewide officials

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of July 20, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Jocelyn Benson (D)$3,536,958$1,116,947$2,420,010
Garlin Gilchrist (D)$768,291$456,097$312,194
Marni Sawicki (D)$14,625$0$14,625
Chris Swanson (D)$1,064,309$595,980$468,329
Source: M ichigan Secretary of State [29]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson		Garlin
Gilchrist		Chris
Swanson		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%59%7%8%26%
65% [b] 10%5%20%
Mitchell Research [31] [B] March 13, 2025303 (LV)± 5.6%46%13%11%30%
Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson		Garlin
Gilchrist		Dana
Nessel		Chris
Swanson		Undecided
Target Insyght [32] March 3–6, 2025344 (V)± 5.7%55%12%12%3%19%

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Publicly expressed interest

Potential

  • Kevin Rinke, former car dealer and candidate for governor in 2022 [41]

Declined

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of July 20, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Mike Cox (R)$2,386,274$538,876$1,847,398
Anthony Hudson (R)$13,682$12,480$1,202
John James (R)$2,272,727$415,173$1,857,554
Tom Leonard (R)$646,318$37,170$609,148
Aric Nesbitt (R)$2,298,914$352,308$1,946,606
Source: M ichigan Secretary of State [29]

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Mike
Cox		Tudor
Dixon		John
James		Perry
Johnson		Tom
Leonard		Aric
Nesbitt		Kevin
Rinke		OtherUndecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%11%20%42%––5%––22%
10% [b] 24%44%––4%––18%
Mitchell Research [31] [B] March 13, 2025281 (LV)± 5.8%10%30%31%8%1%5%––15%
Target Insyght [32] March 3–6, 2025336 (V)± 5.7%5%–57%1%–13%––23%
National Research (R) [43] [C] February 17–19, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%10%–38%––17%–8%27%
OnMessage Inc.(R) [44] [D] January 17–19, 20251,000 (LV)± 3.1%4%–46%–1%6%3%6%35%

Independents

Candidates

Declared

Endorsements

Mike Duggan
Federal executive branch officials
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State representatives
Local officials
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of July 20, 2025
CandidateRaisedSpentCash on hand
Mike Duggan (I)$3,253,509$934,239$2,319,269
Source: M ichigan Secretary of State [29]

General election

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
The Cook Political Report [60] TossupJanuary 23, 2025
Inside Elections [61] TossupAugust 28, 2025
Sabato's Crystal Ball [62] TossupMay 1, 2025
Race to the WH [63] TossupJune 30, 2025

Polling

Jocelyn Benson vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson (D)		John
James (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%35%34%22%9%
38% [b] 33%21%8%
Mitchell Research [31] [B] March 13, 2025688 (LV)± 3.7%37%34%16%13%
Target Insyght [64] February 3–8, 2025600 (V)± 4.0%42%30%21%7%

Jocelyn Benson vs. Mike Cox vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson (D)		Mike
Cox (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%35%27%25%13%
39% [b] 26%25%10%
Mitchell Research [31] [B] March 13, 2025688 (LV)± 3.7%37%35%16%12%

Jocelyn Benson vs. Aric Nesbitt vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson (D)		Aric
Nesbitt (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%36%26%25%13%
40% [b] 26%25%9%

Chris Swanson vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Chris
Swanson (D)		John
James (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%30%35%25%10%
33% [b] 34%26%7%

Garlin Gilchrist vs. John James vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Garlin
Gilchrist (D)		John
James (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%29%35%25%11%
33% [b] 34%25%8%
Hypothetical polling

Jocelyn Benson vs. Dick DeVos vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson (D)		Dick
DeVos (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
EPIC-MRA [65] February 3–8, 2025600 (LV)± 4.0%31%31%23%15%

Jocelyn Benson vs. Tudor Dixon vs. Mike Duggan

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered		Sample
size [a] 		Margin
of error		Jocelyn
Benson (D)		Tudor
Dixon (R)		Mike
Duggan (I)		Undecided
Glengariff Group [30] [A] May 5−8, 2025600 (RV)± 4.0%35%31%24%10%
40% [b] 31%23%6%
Mitchell Research [31] [B] March 13, 2025688 (LV)± 3.7%38%36%16%10%

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Among "definite voters"
  3. ↑ Trott was elected to this seat as a Republican.
  4. ↑ Woronchak held this seat as a Republican, and was then elected to the Wayne County Commission's 13th district (2005–2018) as a Democrat.
Partisan clients
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Poll sponsored by The Detroit Regional Chamber
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Poll commissioned by MIRS, a nonpartisan tipsheet
  3. ↑ Poll sponsored by GOPAC, which supports Nesbitt
  4. ↑ Poll sponsored by Harbor Strategic Public Affairs

References

  1. ↑ Leip, David. "2018 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Michigan". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on February 18, 2025. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  2. ↑ Leip, David. "2022 Gubernatorial General Election Results - Michigan". uselectionatlas.org. Archived from the original on December 4, 2024. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  3. ↑ Hendrickson, Clara (January 22, 2025). "Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, announces run for Michigan governor". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ Harpster, Dayna (April 6, 2025). "Former Cape Coral mayor seeks Michigan governor's seat". WGCU . Retrieved May 8, 2025.
  6. ↑ Cappelletti, Joey (February 6, 2025). "Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor". Associated Press . Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Skubick, Tim (July 16, 2025). "Dana Nessel hasn't 'ruled out anything' when it comes to governor or senate races". WJBK . Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run". Michigan Advance . Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  11. ↑ Schuster, Simon (November 11, 2024). "Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run". Bridge Michigan . Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ Burke, Melissa Nann (January 28, 2025). "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.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Bournonville, Alexandria (January 23, 2025). "Michigan Dems show support for Benson after announcing run for governor". WJMN-TV . Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 Robinson, Sam (July 18, 2025). "Hill Harper Endorses Benson for Governor". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  16. 1 2 Solis, Ben (July 11, 2025). "Worthy endorsement of Benson brings Detroit clout in primary, but Duggan's shadow looms large". Michigan Advance. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  17. ↑ Robinson, Sam (February 7, 2025). "What Michigan voters are saying about Duggan, Benson for governor". Detroit One Million. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robinson, Sam (August 28, 2025). "Michigan Laborers Endorse Jocelyn Benson for Governor". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  19. ↑ UFCW 951 [@UFCW951] (March 11, 2025). "Today, UFCW 951 is proud to be the first labor union in the state to endorse Jocelyn Benson as Michigan's next governor" . Retrieved April 2, 2025– via Facebook.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ Muller, Tiffany (January 23, 2025). "End Citizens United Endorses Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor". End Citizens United . Archived from the original on January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  22. ↑ "Vote Mama PAC: Candidates". Vote Mama PAC. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  23. 1 2 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.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Solis, Ben (July 7, 2025). "Gilchrist, Byrum net legislative endorsements for respective governor, secretary of state bids". Michigan Advance. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  25. 1 2 3 4 Ball, Hannah (February 7, 2025). "Swanson announces run for Governor". Tri-City Times. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ Solis, Ben (August 7, 2025). "Swanson receives honor from labor group, boosting his gubernatorial bid". Michigan Advance. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  27. ↑ Meerschaert, Kevin (April 28, 2025). "Sloktin won't make endorsement on Governor or Senate primary". WEMU . Retrieved April 28, 2025.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. 1 2 3 "Committee Search". Michigan Secretary of State . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Detroit Regional Chamber/Glengariff Group May 2025 Political Survey Report" (PDF). Detroit Regional Chamber. May 11, 2025. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 "Benson-James/Dixon Top Candidates for Governor" (PDF). RealClearPolitics. March 18, 2025. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  32. 1 2 "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  33. ↑ Foster, Wells (April 15, 2025). "Former AG Mike Cox announces run for governor". WILX . Retrieved April 15, 2025.
  34. ↑ Jeltema, Ryan (February 13, 2025). "Republican from Grand Blanc Township announces run for governor". WJRT-TV . Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  35. ↑ Powers, Sara (April 7, 2025). "Rep. John James announces run for Michigan governor". WDIV-TV . Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  36. ↑ Solis, Ben (June 17, 2025). "Former Michigan House speaker joins Republican gubernatorial fray". Michigan Advance . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  37. ↑ Buss, Kaitlyn (January 14, 2025). "Top GOP lawmaker launches run for governor". The Detroit News . Archived from the original on January 14, 2025. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  38. ↑ Nichols, Anna (September 19, 2024). "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.
  39. ↑ Kransz, Michael (August 7, 2025). "Michigan property tax abolition leader enters 2026 governor race". MLive Media Group . Retrieved August 12, 2025.
  40. ↑ 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.
  41. ↑ 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.
  42. ↑ Sergent, Katie (July 9, 2025). "Tudor Dixon will not run for Michigan governor, U.S. Senate in 2026". WWMT . Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  43. ↑ "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.
  44. ↑ Sellek, John (January 29, 2025). "MIGOV Poll Shows U.S. Rep. John James Leading GOP Primary for Governor". Harbor Strategic Public Affairs.
  45. ↑ 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.
  46. 1 2 3 Robinson, Sam (July 22, 2025). "Duggan: Business, Unions Can Work Together". Michigan Chronicle . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  47. 1 2 3 4 Ballenger, Bill; Moss, Chuck (September 1, 2025). "Is A Governor Duggan Inevitable?". The Ballenger Report . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  48. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Mauger, Chris (August 19, 2025). "Michigan Democratic Party-backed education board members back Duggan for governor". The Detroit News . Archived from the original on August 20, 2025. Retrieved August 20, 2025.
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Eggert, David (August 19, 2025). "Duggan touts wave of 215 endorsements in early salvo in governor's race". Crain's Detroit Business . Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  50. 1 2 Robinson, Sam (December 5, 2024). "Knives out: Benson, Duggan fire opening shots in Michigan governor's race". Detroit One Million– via Substack.
  51. 1 2 3 "200+ Leaders Across Michigan, Republicans and Democrats, Unite Behind Duggan's Campaign for Governor". The Metro Detroit News. August 19, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  52. ↑ "Michigan Democratic Party punishes backers of Mike Duggan's governor bid". The Arab American News. August 29, 2025. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  53. ↑ 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
  54. ↑ Kim, Catherine (June 7, 2025). "Andrew Yang Is Ready to Team Up With Elon Musk: Q&A". Politico Magazine. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  55. ↑ Robinson, Sam (January 28, 2025). "Duggan's campaign for governor promotes union endorsements". Detroit One Million. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2 Endorses Mike Duggan, Independent, for Governor of Michigan". Michigan Business Network. July 10, 2025. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  57. ↑ Mauger, Craig (August 28, 2025). "Michigan laborers union endorses Jocelyn Benson for governor". The Detroit News . Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  58. ↑ Bohner, Steven (July 17, 2025). "Detroit Regional Chamber PAC backs Mayor Duggan for Michigan Governor". WZZM Channel 13. Retrieved July 18, 2025.
  59. ↑ "Is it time to break the two-party doom loop?". No Labels . June 7, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  60. ↑ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  61. ↑ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections . Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  62. ↑ "2026 Governor". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  63. ↑ "Governor Forecast - 2026-2026". Race to the WH. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  64. ↑ "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
  65. ↑ Spangler, Todd (February 11, 2025). "Michigan poll: Democrats face uncertain road in 2026 races". Detroit Free Press . Retrieved February 11, 2025.
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