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. 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.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)^[1]
• Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present), former mayor of South Bend, Indiana (2012–2020), and candidate for President of the United States in 2020^[2]
• Mallory McMorrow, Michigan Senate majority whip (2023-present) and state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)
• Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)^[3]

Potential

• Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)
• Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)
• Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive (2011–present)
• Joe Tate, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (2023–present) from the 10th district (2019–present)

Declined

• Dan Kildee, U.S. representative for (2013–present)^[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor in 2022^[5]
• Jonathan Lindsey, state senator from the 17th district (2023–present)^[6]
• Aric Nesbitt, Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 20th district (2019–present)

Potential

• Mike Cox, former Attorney General of Michigan (2003-2011)^[7]
• Dick DeVos, former CEO of Amway and nominee for governor in 2006
• Pete Hoekstra, chair of the Michigan Republican Party (2024–present), former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands (2018–2021), former U.S. representative for (1993–2011), and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2012
• John James, U.S. representative for (2023–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020^[8]
• Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for governor in 2022, and candidate for president in 2024^[9]
• 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^[10]
• Lisa McClain, U.S. representative for (2021–present)
• Peter Meijer, former U.S. representative for (2021–2023) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2024
• 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
• Mike Rogers, former U.S. representative for (2001–2015) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2024
• Garrett Soldano, chiropractor and candidate for governor in 2022

Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)^[12]

External links

• Mike Duggan (I) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Nissen . Jack . Skubick . Tim . 2023-09-05 . Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor? Secretary of state says she's looking 'closely' at future run . 2023-10-13 . . en-US.
2. Web site: Schuster, Simon . 2024-11-11 . Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run . 2024-11-14 . . en.
3. Web site: Fonger . Ron . 2023-08-02 . Governor Swanson? Genesee County sheriff says a statewide run could be in his future . 2023-10-13 . . en.
4. News: Roth . Andrew . Swanson ‘absolutely’ foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run . February 20, 2024 . . February 20, 2024.
5. Web site: Skubick, Tim . 2024-08-14 . Republican Tudor Dixon not ruling out running for governor in 2026 race . 2024-09-18 . . en-US.
6. News: . November 27, 2024 . Add another name for guv . Skubick, Tim . November 26, 2024.
7. Web site: 2024-12-04 . Detroit Mayor Duggan, a longtime Democrat, will run for Michigan governor in 2026 as independent . 2024-12-04 . AP News . en.
8. News: Gibbons . Lauren . 30 May 2024 . Michigan governor run? Duggan, Benson, Gilchrist spur speculation . 10 June 2024 . Bridge Michigan.
9. 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.
10. News: The Downballot . November 15, 2024 . Morning Digest: It's game on for one of the biggest races of 2026 . Nir, David . Singer, Jeff . November 15, 2024.
11. Web site: 2024-11-08 . The next Michigan governor - there's no shortage of contenders, says Lansing insider . Skubick, Tim . 2024-11-14 . . en-US.
12. Web site: Afana . Dana . Mayor Mike Duggan to leave Detroit after term, run for Michigan governor in 2026 election . 2024-12-04 . . en-US.