2026 Michigan gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2026 Michigan gubernatorial election
Country:	Michigan
Type:	gubernatorial
Ongoing:	yes
Previous Election:	2022 Michigan gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2022
Next Election:	2030 Michigan gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2030
Election Date:	November 3, 2026
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Governor
Before Election:	Gretchen Whitmer
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)^[1]
• Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)^[2]

Potential

• Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)
• Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present)
• Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)
• Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)^[3]
• Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive^[4]
• Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)^[5]

Declined

• Dan Kildee, U.S. representative for (2013–present)^[6]

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

• Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor of Michigan in 2022
• John James, U.S. Representative for (2023-present), and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020
• 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

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2023-09-05 . Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor? Secretary of state says she's looking 'closely' at future run . 2023-10-13 . FOX 2 Detroit . en-US . Nissen . Jack . Skubick . Tim.
2. Web site: Fonger . Ron . 2023-08-02 . Governor Swanson? Genesee County sheriff says a statewide run could be in his future . 2023-10-13 . mlive . en.
3. News: Schneider . Elena . Ambitions collide as rising Democrats consider higher office . 5 March 2023 . . 20 April 2023.
4. News: Gibbons . Lauren . Michigan governor run? Duggan, Benson, Gilchrist spur speculation . 30 May 2024 . Bridge Michigan . 10 June 2024.
5. Web site: 2023-05-30 . Scoop: Michigan lawmaker Mallory McMorrow considering run for governor . 2023-06-02 . FOX 2 Detroit . en-US . Nissen . Jack . Skubick . Tim.
6. News: Roth . Andrew . Swanson ‘absolutely’ foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run ⋆ Michigan Advance . February 20, 2024 . . February 20, 2024.
7. Web site: 2023-10-02 . Businessman Perry Johnson says he’s being asked to run for Stabenow’s US Senate seat . 2023-10-13 . FOX 2 Detroit . en-US . Komer . David . Skubick . Tim.