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.
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Democratic primary
editCandidates
editPublicly expressed interest
edit- Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)[1]
- Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)[2]
Potential
edit- Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)[3]
- Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present)[3]
- Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)[4]
- Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)[4]
- Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive[5]
- Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)[6]
Declined
edit- Dan Kildee, U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2013–present)[3]
Republican primary
editCandidates
editPotential
edit- James Craig, Detroit Police Chief (2013-2021), and disqualified candidate for governor of Michigan in 2022
- Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor of Michigan in 2022[3]
- John James, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2023-present), and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020[5]
- Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2022, and former candidate for President of the United States in 2024[7]
- Kevin Rinke, businessman and candidate for governor of Michigan in 2022[3]
References
edit- ^ Nissen, Jack; Skubick, Tim (September 5, 2023). "Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor? Secretary of state says she's looking 'closely' at future run". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ Fonger, Ron (August 2, 2023). "Governor Swanson? Genesee County sheriff says a statewide run could be in his future". mlive. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run ⋆ Michigan Advance". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ a b Schneider, Elena (March 5, 2023). "Ambitions collide as rising Democrats consider higher office". Politico. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
- ^ a b Gibbons, Lauren (May 30, 2024). "Michigan governor run? Duggan, Benson, Gilchrist spur speculation". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Nissen, Jack; Skubick, Tim (May 30, 2023). "Scoop: Michigan lawmaker Mallory McMorrow considering run for governor". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
- ^ Skubick, Tim; Komer, David (October 2, 2023). "Businessman Perry Johnson says he's being asked to run for Stabenow's US Senate seat". FOX 2 Detroit. Retrieved October 13, 2023.