2018 Michigan gubernatorial election explained

See also: 2018 United States gubernatorial elections.

Election Name:	2018 Michigan gubernatorial election
Country:	Michigan
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Turnout:	55.4% 13.8^[1]
Previous Election:	2014 Michigan gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2014
Next Election:	2022 Michigan gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2022
Election Date:	November 6, 2018
Image1:	Image:Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (cropped).jpg
Nominee1:	Gretchen Whitmer
Party1:	Democratic Party (United States)
Running Mate1:	Garlin Gilchrist
Popular Vote1:	2,266,193
Percentage1:	53.31%
Nominee2:	Bill Schuette
Party2:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,859,534
Percentage2:	43.75%
Governor
Before Election:	Rick Snyder
Before Party:	Republican Party (United States)
After Election:	Gretchen Whitmer
After Party:	Democratic Party (United States)

The 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Michigan, concurrently with the election of Michigan's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley were term-limited and were unable to seek a third term in office.^[2] The filing deadline was April 24, 2018. The Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties chose their nominees in a partisan primary on August 7, 2018.^[3] 2018 was the first year the Libertarian Party held a gubernatorial primary alongside the two other major parties in the state of Michigan.^[4] The Working Class Party, U.S. Taxpayers Party, Green Party and Natural Law Party chose their nominees at state party conventions.^[5]

The race was not as close as expected, with Democrat Gretchen Whitmer was elected with 53.3% of the vote to Republican Bill Schuette's 43.8%.^[6] Schuette performed best in more sparsely populated areas, while Whitmer was supported by large margins in large and medium cities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing. Whitmer also performed well in the Detroit suburbs. Whitmer carried former Republican stronghold Kent County (location of her native Grand Rapids), the first Democratic candidate to do so since James Blanchard's landslide 1986 reelection. Democrats swept the statewide races by also holding onto the Senate seat that was up for re-election, and picking up the positions of secretary of state and attorney general. They also captured every state university trustee seat that was up for election as well as the State Board of Education.^[7]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Bill Schuette, Attorney General of Michigan^{[8] [9]}

Eliminated in primary

• Brian Calley, Lieutenant Governor^[10]
• Patrick Colbeck, state senator^[11]
• Jim Hines, physician and president of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations^[12]

Declined

• David Agema, former Republican National Committeeman and former state representative (endorsed Patrick Colbeck)^{[13] [14]}
• Jase Bolger, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives^[15]
• Larry C. Inman, state representative^[16]
• Ruth Johnson, Michigan Secretary of State and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006 (running for state senate)^[17]
• Arlan Meekhof, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate^[18]
• Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and former U.S. representative (endorsed Bill Schuette)^{[19] [20]}

Debates

Host
network! rowspan="2"

Date	Link(s)	Participants
Bill Schuette		Patrick Colbeck	Brian Calley	Jim Hines
WOOD-TV	May 9, 2018	^[21]	Invited	Invited	Invited	Invited
WDIV-TV	June 28, 2018		Invited	Invited	Invited	Invited

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Brian Calley	Patrick Colbeck	Jim Hines	Bill Schuette	Other	Undecided
Mitchell Research^[22]	July 30, 2018	413	± 5.0%	18%	9%	10%	align=center	40%	–	23%
EPIC-MRA^[23]	July 21–22, 2018	1,045	± 3.1%	24%	11%	8%	align=center	42%	–	15%
Emerson College^[24]	July 19–21, 2018	202	± 7.3%	13%	7%	9%	align=center	35%	–	align=center	36%
Marist College^[25]	July 15–19, 2018	337	± 6.3%	26%	11%	–	align=center	33%	1%	30%
JMC Analytics^[26]	July 5–12, 2018	600	± 4.0%	17%	10%	4%	align=center	25%	–	align=center	45%
Target-Insyght^[27]	June 24–26, 2018	400	± 5.0%	16%	8%	4%	align=center	45%	–	21%
NMB Research (R-Better Jobs PAC)^[28]	June 18–21, 2018	–	–	23%	–	–	align=center	45%	–	29%
Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)^[29]	May 22–24, 2018	500	± 4.4%	19%	6%	1%	align=center	42%	–	–
Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)^[30]	April 29 – May 1, 2018	600	± 4.0%	20%	6%	2%	align=center	42%	–	–
Glengariff Group^[31]	April 19–21, 2018	400	± 4.9%	23%	4%	1%	align=center	36%	0%^[32]	34%
Denno Research^[33]	April 2–3, 2018	500	± 4.0%	13%	4%	1%	align=center	23%	–	align=center	59%
Strategic National (R)^[34]	March 19–20, 2018	400	± 4.9%	18%	7%	3%	align=center	27%	–	align=center	45%
Marketing Resource Group^[35]	March 13–17, 2018	600	± 4.0%	13%	2%	2%	align=center	29%	–	align=center	54%
Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)^[36]	February 10–13, 2018	800	± 3.4%	15%	5%	2%	align=center	42%	–	–
Strategic National (R)^[37]	December 16–17, 2017	600	± 4.0%	19%	5%	2%	align=center	30%	–	align=center	44%
Target-Insyght^[38]	November 1–6, 2017	400	± 5.0%	14%	<5%	<5%	align=center	38%	–	–
Mitchell Research^[39]	September 21–24, 2017	400	± 5.0%	13%	–	–	align=center	52%	–	36%
Marketing Resource Group^[40]	September 13–18, 2017	216	± 4.0%	13%	3%	3%	align=center	33%	–	align=center	48%
Target-Insyght^[41]	July 25–27, 2017	344	± 5.4%	14%	4%	1%	align=center	42%	–	39%
Marketing Resource Group^[42]	May 8–11, 2017	216	± 4.0%	11%	–	7%	align=center	32%	–	align=center	51%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Brian Calley	Jim Hines	Arlan Meekhof	Candice Miller	Bill Schuette	Undecided
Mitchell Research^[43]	May 31, 2017	435	± 4.7%	14%	1%	–	align=center	21%	18%	align=center	46%
Target-Insyght^[44]	February 2–4, 2016	400	± 5%	11%	–	3%	20%	align=center	21%	align=center	45%

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominated

• Gretchen Whitmer, former Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney and former Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate^[45]

Eliminated in primary

• Abdul El-Sayed, former executive director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion^[46]
• Shri Thanedar, author and entrepreneur^[47]

Write-In

• Bill C. Cobbs, businessman^[48]

Declined

• John Austin, former president of the Michigan Board of Education^[49]
• Mark Bernstein, member of University of Michigan Board of Regents^[50]
• Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit^{[51] [49]}
• Geoffrey Fieger, attorney and nominee for governor in 1998^{[52] [53]}
• Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive^{[54] [55]}
• Dan Kildee, U.S. representative^[56]
• Andy Levin, energy consultant and son of Congressman Sander Levin^[57] (running for Congress in MI-9)
• Barbara McQuade, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan^[58]
• Gary Peters, U.S. senator^[59]
• Matt Simoncini, CEO of Lear Corporation^{[60] [61]}
• Bart Stupak, former U.S. representative^[62]

Debates

Host
network! rowspan="2"

Date	Participants
Abdul El-Sayed	Shri Thanedar	Gretchen Whitmer
WOOD-TV	June 20, 2018	Invited	Invited	Invited
WDIV-TV	July 19, 2018	Invited	Invited	Invited

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Cobbs	Abdul	Shri Thanedar	Gretchen Whitmer	Other	Undecided
EPIC-MRA^[63]	July 21–22, 2018	1,054	± 3.1%	–	19%	22%	align=center	49%	–	10%
Change Research (D-El-Sayed)^[64]	July 20–21, 2018	1,503	–	–	27%	15%	align=center	33%	–	24%
Emerson College^[65]	July 19–21, 2018	282	± 6.4%	–	12%	17%	align=center	39%	–	31%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	442	± 5.5%	–	22%	27%	align=center	31%	<1%	20%
Target-Insyght	June 24–26, 2018	400	± 5.0%	–	17%	19%	align=center	40%	2%	22%
Glengariff Group^[66]	April 20–22, 2018	400	± 4.9%	3%	7%	align=center	30%	26%	–	align=center	35%
Denno Research^[67]	April 6–7, 2018	500	± 4.0%	2%	2%	15%	align=center	17%	–	align=center	63%
Marketing Resource Group	March 13–17, 2018	233	± 6.4%	3%	10%	align=center	21%	18%	–	align=center	48%
Target-Insyght^[68]	March 6–8, 2018	500	± 4.5%	4%	6%	20%	align=center	34%	3%	33%
EPIC-MRA (D-Thanedar)^[69]	February 17–22, 2018	600	± 4.0%	3%	8%	24%	align=center	34%	–	31%
Target-Insyght	November 1–6, 2017	400	± 5.0%	4%	13%	2%	align=center	45%	8%	28%
Marketing Resource Group	September 13–18, 2017	255	± 4.0%	8%	4%	3%	align=center	27%	–	align=center	58%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Mike Duggan	Abdul El-Sayed	Geoffrey Fieger	Mark Hackel	Dan Kildee	Andy Levin	Shri Thanedar	Gretchen Whitmer	Undecided
Target-Insyght	align=center rowspan=3	November 1–6, 2017	align=center rowspan=3	400	align=center rowspan=3	± 5.0%	29%	–	–	–	–	–	–	align=center	43%	–
	–	–	28%	–	–	–	–	align=center	41%	–
	–	–	–	–	–	19%	–	align=center	42%	–
Target-Insyght	February 2–4, 2016	400	± 5%	align=center	20%	–	–	9%	12%	–	–	16%	align=center	43%
Target-Insyght	July 25, 2017	377	± 5.4%	–	4%	align=center	35%	–	–	–	3%	align=center	35%	–
Marketing Resource Group	May 8–11, 2017	255	± 4.0%	–	9%	align=center	26%	–	–	–	–	24%	align=center	41%

Results

Libertarian primary

The Libertarian Party is one of three parties that have a primary in Michigan.^[70]

Candidates

Nominated

• Bill Gelineau^[71]

Eliminated in primary

• John Tatar^[71]

Debates

Host
network! rowspan="2"

Date	Participants
Bill Gelineau	John Tatar
WOOD-TV^[72]	July 15, 2018	Invited	Invited
WJBK-TV^[73]	July 22, 2018	Invited	Invited

Results

Green Convention

The Green Party chose candidates for the 2018 ballot at its state convention on May 5, 2018, at the University of Michigan-Flint.^[74]

Candidates

Declared and nominated

• Jennifer Kurland, president of the Redford Union School Board^[74]

U.S. Taxpayers Party

Candidates

Declared and nominated

• Todd Schleiger

Natural Law Party

Candidates

Declared and nominated

• Keith Butkovich^[75]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[76]		October 26, 2018
The Washington Post^[77]		November 5, 2018
FiveThirtyEight^[78]		November 5, 2018
Rothenberg Political Report^[79]		November 1, 2018
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[80]		November 5, 2018
RealClearPolitics^[81]		November 4, 2018
Daily Kos^[82]		November 5, 2018
Fox News^[83]		November 5, 2018
Politico^[84]		November 5, 2018
Governing^[85]		November 5, 2018

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Schuette (R)	Gretchen Whitmer (D)	Bill Gelineau (L)	Other	Undecided
Mitchell Research^[86]	November 5, 2018	827	± 3.4%	41%	align=center	48%	–	5%	6%
Mitchell Research^[87]	November 4, 2018	701	± 3.7%	40%	align=center	54%	–	1%	1%
Change Research^[88]	November 2–4, 2018	880	–	43%	align=center	51%	2%	3%^[89]	–
Research Co.^[90]	November 1–3, 2018	450	± 4.6%	43%	align=center	47%	–	1%	9%
Glengariff Group^[91]	October 25–27, 2018	600	± 4.0%	38%	align=center	50%	2%	2%^[92]	9%
Emerson College^[93]	October 24–26, 2018	822	± 3.6%	41%	align=center	52%	–	3%	4%
Mitchell Research^[94]	October 25, 2018	400	± 5.0%	43%	align=center	48%	–	4%	4%
Target-Insyght^[95]	October 22–24, 2018	800	± 3.0%	44%	align=center	48%	1%	4%^[96]	4%
EPIC-MRA^[97]	October 18–23, 2018	600	± 4.0%	41%	align=center	46%	3%	3%	7%
Michigan State University^[98]	October 13–22, 2018	169	–	39%	align=center	47%	–	–	–
ALG Research (D)^[99]	October 15–21, 2018	906	± 3.3%	36%	align=center	47%	4%	6%^[100]	11%
	38%	align=center	48%	–	–	13%
Marketing Resource Group^[101]	October 14–18, 2018	600	± 4.0%	36%	align=center	50%	2%	4%	7%
ALG Research (D)^[102]	October 8–14, 2018	800	± 3.5%	36%	align=center	46%	3%	2%^[103]	13%
Mitchell Research^[104]	September 30 – October 7, 2018	654	± 3.8%	38%	align=center	46%	–	6%	10%
Glengariff Group^[105]	September 30 – October 2, 2018	600	± 4.0%	35%	align=center	47%	–	5%	13%
ALG Research (D)	September 24–30, 2018	800	± 3.5%	37%	align=center	49%	2%	2%	10%
EPIC-MRA^[106]	September 21–25, 2018	600	± 4.0%	37%	align=center	45%	2%	5%	11%
Ipsos^[107]	September 14–24, 2018	1,150	± 3.0%	39%	align=center	52%	–	4%	6%
Target-Insyght^[108]	September 10–14, 2018	800	± 3.0%	41%	align=center	50%	–	–	–
Mitchell Research^[109]	September 12–13, 2018	1,009	± 3.0%	38%	align=center	48%	–	5%	9%
ALG Research (D)	September 8–13, 2018	798	± 3.5%	38%	align=center	45%	3%	3%	11%
Strategic National (R)^[110]	September 8–9, 2018	1,000	± 3.1%	39%	align=center	49%	–	–	12%
Glengariff Group^[111]	September 5–7, 2018	600	± 4.0%	36%	align=center	50%	2%	4%^[112]	10%
Gravis Marketing^[113]	August 14–16, 2018	647	± 3.9%	37%	align=center	52%	–	–	11%
Strategic National (R)^[114]	August 13–14, 2018	700	± 3.7%	36%	align=center	45%	–	2%	17%
Emerson College^[115]	July 19–21, 2018	600	± 4.3%	36%	align=center	43%	–	9%	12%
Marist College	July 15–19, 2018	886	± 3.9%	38%	align=center	47%	–	1%	14%
Target-Insyght^[116]	June 24–26, 2018	800	± 3.0%	37%	align=center	42%	–	–	20%
NMB Research (R)^[117]	June 18–21, 2018	800	± 3.5%	39%	align=center	40%	–	–	20%
EPIC-MRA^[118]	April 30 – May 3, 2018	600	± 4.0%	38%	align=center	43%	–	–	19%
Glengariff Group^[119]	January 16–19, 2018	600	± 4.0%	33%	align=center	40%	–	–	25%
Michigan State University^[120]	September 14, 2017 – January 18, 2018	963	± 3.2%	35%	align=center	41%	–	–	24%
EPIC-MRA^[121]	December 9–13, 2017	600	± 4.0%	align=center	38%	35%	–	–	27%
Target-Insyght	November 1–6, 2017	1,000	± 3.6%	40%	align=center	41%	–	–	19%
EPIC-MRA^[122]	August 27 – September 1, 2017	600	± 4.0%	37%	37%	–	–	26%

with Bill Schuette and Abdul El-Sayed

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Schuette (R)	Abdul El-Sayed (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College^[123]	July 19–21, 2018	600	± 4.3%	align=center	38%	33%	12%	17%
Glengariff Group	January 16–19, 2018	600	± 4.0%	align=center	38%	34%	–	27%

with Bill Schuette and Shri Thanedar

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Schuette (R)	Shri Thanedar (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College^[124]	July 19–21, 2018	600	± 4.3%	35%	align=center	38%	12%	15%
Target-Insyght	June 24–26, 2018	800	± 3.0%	37%	align=center	40%	–	22%
NMB Research (R-Better Jobs PAC)	June 18–21, 2018	800	± 3.5%	40%	40%	–	19%
EPIC-MRA	April 30 – May 3, 2018	600	± 4.0%	38%	align=center	44%	–	18%

with Brian Calley and Gretchen Whitmer

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Brian Calley (R)	Gretchen Whitmer (D)	Other	Undecided
Emerson College^[125]	July 19–21, 2018	600	± 4.3%	33%	align=center	44%	8%	16%
Michigan State University	September 14, 2017 – January 18, 2018	963	± 3.2%	34%	align=center	42%	–	24%

with Brian Calley and Shri Thanedar
with Bill Schuette and Geoffrey Fieger

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Schuette (R)	Geoffrey Fieger (D)	Undecided
Target-Insyght	November 1–6, 2017	1,000	± 3.6%	align=center	42%	35%	23%
EPIC-MRA	August 27 – September 1, 2017	600	± 4%	align=center	43%	33%	24%

with Bill Schuette and Mike Duggan

Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of August 27, 2018
Candidate (party)	Total receipts	Total disbursements	Cash on hand
	Gretchen Whitmer (D)	$7,134,218.66	$5,599,850.57	$1,534,368.09
	Bill Schuette (R)	$6,175,889.09	$4,741,577.63	$1,434,311.46
	Bill Gelineau (L)	$54,785.88	$51,267.71	$3,518.17
Source: Michigan Department of State^[127]

Debates

Two televised debates between Schuette and Whitmer were scheduled. The first debate was held on Friday, October 12, and hosted by Grand Rapids television station WOOD-TV.^{[128] [129]} That debate mainly concentrated on issues and there were no surprises or major errors from either candidate.^[130] The second debate was hosted by Detroit television station WDIV and was held on Wednesday, October 24.^[131] The two again clashed on various issues,^[132] but Schuette made a gaffe when he mixed up Whitmer's name with that of former governor Jennifer Granholm.^{[133] [134]}

Campaign

While Whitmer's Democratic primary opponents publicly endorsed Whitmer in the general election,^[135] Republican nominee Schuette left the party split after the acrimonious battle with lieutenant governor Calley, with outgoing governor Rick Snyder refusing to endorse Schuette. Schuette also tried to hide his endorsement by Donald Trump from the primary in the general election.^{[136] [137]} His actions as attorney general also came back to haunt him.^{[138] [139]} Whitmer held consistent leads in polls over Schuette over the entire year.

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Alger (largest city: Munising)
• Baraga (largest village: Baraga)
• Manistee (largest city: Manistee)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Clinton (largest city: St. Johns)
• Isabella (largest city: Mount Pleasant)
• Kalamazoo (largest city: Kalamazoo)
• Kent (largest city: Grand Rapids)
• Leelanau (largest CDP: Greilickville)
• Macomb (largest city: Warren)
• Oakland (largest city: Troy)

By congressional district

Whitmer won 7 of Michigan's 14 congressional districts.^[140] The seven districts she won all elected Democrats to Congress, and the seven that Schuette won all elected Republicans, though he won the district that elected Justin Amash by a very narrow margin of 0.4% and the district that elected Fred Upton by an even thinner 0.2%.

District	Schuette	Whitmer	Representative
		53%	44%		Jack Bergman
		52%	43%		Bill Huizenga
		48.6%	48.2%		Justin Amash
		55%	42%		John Moolenaar
		40%	57%		Dan Kildee
		48.4%	48.2%		Fred Upton
		51%	46%		Tim Walberg
	46%	51%		Mike Bishop
			Elissa Slotkin
	38%	59%		Sander Levin
			Andy Levin
	56%	41%
			Paul Mitchell
	46%	52%		Dave Trott
			Haley Stevens
		30%	67%		Debbie Dingell
	16%	81%		Brenda Jones
			Rashida Tlaib
		18%	80%		Brenda Lawrence

Notes

Partisan clients

External links

• Candidates at Vote Smart
• Candidates at Ballotpedia

Official campaign websites

• Bill Gelineau (L) for Governor
• Jennifer Kurland (G) for Governor
• Bill Schuette (R) for Governor
• Gretchen Whitmer (D) for Governor
• Todd Schleiger (UST) for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: General Election Voter Registration/Turnout Statistics. October 6, 2019.
2. Web site: Fund-raiser fuels speculation Schuette eying run for governor . . Paul . Egan . February 23, 2015 . May 28, 2015.
3. Web site: MICHIGAN ELECTION DATES . Michigan Department of State . Ruth Johnson, Secretary of State.
4. News: Two candidates face off in historic Libertarian primary. The Detroit News. 2018-09-05. en.
5. Web site: STATE OF MICHIGAN POLITICAL PARTY STATUS . Michigan Department of State . Ruth Johnson, Secretary of State.
6. Web site: 2018 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/06/2018.
7. Web site: Democrats roll to control of MSU, UM, WSU boards.
8. Web site: Michigan Attorney General Schuette joins Republican race for governor . Paul . Egan . Detroit Free Press . September 12, 2017.
9. jonathanoosting . Jonathan . Oosring . 907695396977340424 . September 12, 2017 . First look at new logo: Michigan AG Bill @SchuetteOnDuty is running for governor .
10. Web site: Brian Calley running for Michigan governor. The Detroit News. Oosting. Jonathan. November 28, 2017. November 28, 2017.
11. Web site: Colbeck files to run for Michigan governor. April 16, 2018.
12. Web site: Saginaw doctor launches campaign for Michigan governor. Michigan Radio. Steve . Carmody . February 24, 2016. July 15, 2016.
13. Web site: Schuette, Calley, And Agema Lead In 2018 GOP Gubernatorial Poll. West Michigan Politics. Hall. Brandon. January 30, 2017. February 28, 2017.
14. Web site: Dave Agema Endorsement. Patrick Colbeck for Governor. Colbeck. Patrick. November 8, 2017. November 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043515/https://colbeckforgovernor.com/dave-agema-endorsement/. December 1, 2017. dead.
15. Web site: Schuette inches toward possible run for governor . Chad . Livengood . The Detroit News . July 14, 2016 . December 11, 2016.
16. Web site: Inman talks run for governor . Jordan . Travis . Record Eagle . March 23, 2017.
17. Web site: 2018 races getting crowded for attorney general, secretary of state . Kathleen . Gray . Detroit Free Press . September 19, 2017 . September 20, 2017.
18. Web site: MIRS: Meekhof to Not Run for Governor in '18 . WTVB.com . Gary . Stevens . November 29, 2016 . December 9, 2016 . December 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161202041104/http://wtvbam.com/news/articles/2016/nov/29/mirs-meekhof-to-not-run-for-governor-in-18/ . dead .
19. Web site: Candice Miller's name as a potential GOP governor candidate makes the race interesting . MLive . Tim . Skubick . April 12, 2015 . May 28, 2015.
20. Web site: Candice Miller backs Schuette for Michigan governor. April 16, 2018.
21. Web site: WATCH: First Michigan Republican 2018 Gubernatorial Primary.... Ken. Haddad. Clickondetroit.com. May 10, 2018. May 22, 2018.
22. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/Mitchell_Poll_GOV-SEN_11_CD-GOP_Primary_Press_Release__8-1-2018.pdf Mitchell Research
23. http://www.epicmra.com/press/Stwd_Survey_GOP_Primary_July2018_Media_Freq.pdf EPIC-MRA
24. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
25. http://maristpoll.marist.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/NBC-News_Marist-Poll_Michigan-Nature-of-the-Sample-and-Tables_July-26-2018_1807251152.pdf Marist College
26. http://winwithjmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Michigan-Executive-Summary-RELEASE.pdf JMC Analytics
27. https://www.scribd.com/document/382871404/MI-Gov-MI-Sen-Target-Insyght-June-2018 Target-Insyght
28. https://www.scribd.com/document/382866745/MI-Gov-MNB-Research-R-June-2018 NMB Research (R-Better Jobs PAC)
29. https://www.scribd.com/document/380592223/MI-Gov-Public-Opinion-Strategies-R-for-Bill-Schuette-May-2018 Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)
30. https://www.scribd.com/document/378600540/MI-Gov-Public-Opinion-Strategies-R-for-Bill-Schuette-May-2018 Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)
31. https://www.scribd.com/document/377481215/MI-Gov-Glengariff-Group-for-Greater-Detroit-Regional-Chamber-PAC-April-2018 Glengariff Group
32. Evan Space 0%
33. https://www.scribd.com/document/376112912/MI-Sen-MI-Gov-Denno-Research-April-2018 Denno Research
34. http://strategicnational.com/michigan-statewide-gop-primary-poll-results/ Strategic National (R)
35. http://mrgmi.com/2018/03/schuette-thanedar-lead-in-primary-battles/ Marketing Resource Group
36. https://www.scribd.com/document/372249902/MI-Gov-Public-Opinion-Strategies-for-Bill-Schuette-Feb-2018 Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette)
37. https://www.scribd.com/document/367611896/MI-Gov-MI-Sen-Strategic-National-R-Dec-2017 Strategic National (R)
38. https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/14/1715295/-Morning-Digest-Top-Republicans-call-on-Roy-Moore-to-quit-Senate-race-as-new-allegations-mount Target-Insyght
39. https://www.scribd.com/document/361780603/MI-Gov-Mitchell-Research-GOP-primary-Sept-2017 Mitchell Research
40. http://mrgmi.com/2017/09/schuette-whitmer-lead-in-primary-battles/ Marketing Resource Group
41. http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2017/07/31/poll-whitmer-fieger-lead/104178896/ Target-Insyght
42. http://mrgmi.com/2017/05/fieger-leads-dems-schuette-gop-in-new-survey/ Marketing Resource Group
43. http://www.thenewsherald.com/news/poll-shows-miller-would-be-gop-frontrunner-for-governor/article_60fd7582-d159-5c07-a17f-c311b7387ee8.html Mitchell Research
44. http://www.insidemichiganpolitics.com/imp-poll-press-releases/2016/5/11/imptarget-insyght-2018-mi-governor-poll-schuette-miller-locked-in-close-gop-race-duggan-leads-dems-despite-claim-he-wont-run Target-Insyght
45. Web site: Democrat Gretchen Whitmer running for Michigan governor . Jonathan . Oosting . The Detroit News . January 3, 2017.
46. News: Detroit health director set to make bid for governor. The Detroit News. 2017-02-09. en.
47. Web site: Entrepreneur of year files for Michigan governor run. The Detroit News. April 20, 2017. April 21, 2017. Jonathan. Oosting.
48. Web site: William Cobbs, former Xerox executive, files to run for governor . Mark . Cavitt . Macomb Daily News . January 11, 2017 . January 12, 2017 . January 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113160429/http://www.macombdaily.com/general-news/20170110/william-cobbs-former-xerox-executive-files-to-run-for-governor . dead .
49. Web site: Philly provides stage for possible run for Gov. in 2018 . Kathleen . Gray . Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau . July 26, 2016.
50. Web site: Bernstein opts out of governor's race . The Detroit News . Johnathan Oosting and Melissa Nann Burke . July 18, 2017 . July 18, 2017.
51. Web site: Duggan's not running for governor — 'don't ask' again . Detroit Free Press . Matt . Helms . May 27, 2015 . May 28, 2015.
52. Web site: With Kildee opting out, governor's race wide open . Kathleen . Gray . Detroit Free Press . May 9, 2017 . May 10, 2017.
53. Web site: Geoffrey Fieger considering a return to politics with run for governor . Kathleen . Gray . Detroit Free Press . May 12, 2017.
54. News: Mark Hackel preparing for marriage, not a run for governor . . Chad . Selweski . February 22, 2013 . May 28, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150530024059/http://www.macombdaily.com/article/20130117/NEWS01/130119388/mark-hackel-preparing-for-marriage-not-a-run-for-governor . May 30, 2015 . dead . mdy-all .
55. Web site: Mark Hackel: Better than 50-50 chance of gov run . Nolan. Finley. Ingrid. Jacques. The Detroit News . May 31, 2017 . November 28, 2017.
56. Web site: Kildee rules out gov bid, making way for Whitmer. The Detroit News. Nann Burke. Melissa. Oosting. Jonathan. May 8, 2017. May 8, 2017.
57. Web site: Andy Levin rules out run for Michigan governor. The Detroit News. Oosting. Jonathan. November 21, 2017. November 21, 2017.
58. Web site: Barbara McQuade: 'I don't know if I have the stomach for politics' . Tresa . Baldas . Detroit Free Press Published . March 17, 2017.
59. Web site: Oosting. Jonathan. Sen. Gary Peters declines to run for Michigan governor. Detroit News.
60. Web site: Lear's Simoncini delivered; readies another act?. The Detroit News. Howes. Daniel. November 16, 2017. November 21, 2017.
61. Web site: Next for Lear's Simoncini? Rolling up his sleeves. Crain's Detroit Business. Walsh. Dustin. November 19, 2017. November 21, 2017.
62. Web site: Former Michigan Congressman eyeing jump into race for governor. WLNS-TV. Skubick. Tim. November 10, 2017. November 21, 2017.
63. http://www.epicmra.com/press/Stwd_Survey_DEM_Primary_July2018_Media_Freq.pdf EPIC-MRA
64. https://www.scribd.com/document/385205055/MI-Gov-Change-Research-D-for-Abdul-El-Sayed-July-2018 Change Research (D-El-Sayed)
65. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
66. https://www.scribd.com/document/377480707/MI-Gov-Glengariff-Group-for-Greater-Detroit-Regional-Chamber-PAC-April-2018 Glengariff Group
67. https://www.scribd.com/document/376112708/MI-Gov-Denno-Research-April-2018 Denno Research
68. https://www.scribd.com/document/373737564/MI-Gov-Target-Insyght-for-MIRS-News-March-2018 Target-Insyght
69. https://www.scribd.com/document/372554004/MI-Gov-EPIC-MRA-for-Shri-Thanedar-D-Feb-2018 EPIC-MRA (D-Thanedar)
70. Web site: State of Michigan Political Party Status: August 7, 2018 Primary: November 6, 2018 General Election. Michigan.gov. 8 August 2018.
71. News: Michigan AG Schuette announces 2018 run for governor. 2017-09-12. WOODTV.com. 2017-10-26. en-US.
72. News: Libertarian candidates for governor debate at WOOD . 2018-07-15. Albin . Rick . WOODTV.com. 2018-09-21. en-US.
73. News: Let It Rip Weekend: Libertarian candidates debate . 2018-07-22. Langton . Charlie . fox2detroit.com . 2018-09-21. en-US.
74. News: Green Party candidates jump in race for Michigan governor, U.S. Senator. Cwiek. Sarah. 2017-10-26. en.
75. Web site: 2018 Michigan Unofficial General Candidate Listing - 11/06/2018. Miboecfr.nictusa.com. August 8, 2018.
76. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings for October 26, 2018. The Cook Political Report. en. 2021-04-10.
77. News: The Washington Post's gubernatorial race ratings. The Washington Post. October 16, 2018.
78. Web site: 2018 Governor Forecast FiveThirtyEight. FiveThirtyEight. October 17, 2018. en. October 17, 2018.
79. Web site: 2018 Gubernatorial Ratings Inside Elections. insideelections.com. en. 2017-11-15.
80. Web site: Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2018 Governor. www.centerforpolitics.org. en-US. 2017-11-15.
81. Web site: 2018 Governor Races. RealClearPolitics. October 9, 2018.
82. Web site: 2018 Governor Race Ratings. Daily Kos. June 5, 2018.
83. Web site: 2018 Midterm Power Ranking. Fox News. October 10, 2021.
84. Web site: Politico Race Ratings. Politico.
85. Web site: 2018 Governor Elections: As November Nears, More Governors' Races Become Tossups . www.governing.com . en . 2018-07-18 . October 21, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181021005343/http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-governors-races-july-ratings.html . dead .
86. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/Mitchell_Poll_Press_Release_11_5_18_A.pdf Mitchell Research
87. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/MI_11-18_Mitchell_Poll_Press_Release_11-5-18_.pdf Mitchell Research
88. https://web.archive.org/web/20181105224422/https://twitter.com/ChangePolls/status/1059562818440069120 Change Research
89. Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers), Jennifer Kurkland (G), and Keith Butkovich (Natural Law) with 1%
90. https://researchco.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Tables_Midterms_04Nov2018.pdf Research Co.
91. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/10/29/whitmer-schuette-new-poll-michigan-governor-race/1807873002/ Glengariff Group
92. Includes Jennifer Kurkland (G), Keith Butkovich (Natural Law), Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers) with 1%
93. https://www.emerson.edu/news-events/emerson-college-today/emerson-poll-democrats-favored-pick-governorships-mi-nm-hold-us-senate-seat-nj Emerson College
94. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/MI_8-18_Press_Release_10-26-18.pdf Mitchell Research
95. https://mirsnews.com/images/TargetInsyght_Statewide_Poll_10_25_2018_(1).pdf Target-Insyght
96. Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers) with 2%, Jennifer Kurland (G) with 1%, Keith Butkovich (Natural Law) with 1%
97. https://www.freep.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/10/25/free-press-poll-whitmer-lead-over-schuette-shrinks-5-points/1748709002/ EPIC-MRA
98. http://ippsr.msu.edu/news/new-soss-three-props-winning-top-ticket-dems-narrow-races Michigan State University
99. https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190347/https://www.gretchenwhitmer.com/new-poll-whitmer-leads-schuette-by-11pts-outside-groups-abandon-schuette/ ALG Research (D)
100. Includes Jennifer Kurland (G) with 2%
101. https://www.mrgmi.com/2018/10/mi-democratic-gubernatorial-candidate-whitmer-holds-solid-lead-over-schuette/ Marketing Resource Group
102. https://web.archive.org/web/20181025190347/https://www.gretchenwhitmer.com/new-poll-whitmer-leads-schuette-by-11pts-outside-groups-abandon-schuette/ ALG Research (D)
103. Jennifer Kurland (G)
104. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/MI_10-18_MI_Chamber_Statewide_MI_Poll_Press_Release_10-10-18_PRESS.pdf Mitchell Research
105. https://web.archive.org/web/20181004071120/https://www.clickondetroit.com/michigan-elections/wdiv_detroit-news-poll-whitmer-keeps-double-digit-lead-on-schuette-in-michigan-governors-race Glengariff Group
106. https://www.woodtv.com/news/elections/poll-whitmer-still-ahead-in-governor-s-race/1478196720 EPIC-MRA
107. https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/USA-ELECTION/010080D20RG/index.html Ipsos
108. https://mirsnews.com/alert.php?alert_id=2767 Target-Insyght
109. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/Mitchell_Research_MI_September_21_2018.pdf Mitchell Research
110. http://strategicnational.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/MI-Statewide-Topline-Report-20180909.pdf Strategic National (R)
111. https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/09/11/michigan-whitmer-schuette-governor-poll-september/1256313002/ Glengariff Group
112. Includes Jennifer Kurland (G) with 0.8%, Keith Butkovich (NL) with 0.5%, and Todd Schleiger (UST) with 0.5%. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=822587
113. https://www.realclearpolitics.com/docs/Michigan_(August_16_2018).pdf Gravis Marketing
114. http://s20710.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MI-Statewide-Topline-Report-20180816-Final-3.pdf Strategic National (R)
115. https://web.archive.org/web/20180731171329/https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
116. https://www.scribd.com/document/382922764/MI-Gov-Target-Insyght-for-MIRS-June-2018 Target-Insyght
117. https://www.scribd.com/document/382866745/MI-Gov-MNB-Research-R-June-2018 NMB Research (R)
118. https://www.scribd.com/document/378482123/MI-Gov-EPIC-MRA-May-2018 EPIC-MRA
119. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/politics/poll-55-percent-of-michigan-voters-disapprove-of-president-trump Glengariff Group
120. http://ippsr.msu.edu/sites/default/files/soss/soss75presentation.pdf Michigan State University
121. http://www.epicmra.com/press/Stwd_Survey_Dec2017_Media_Freq.pdf EPIC-MRA
122. http://www.epicmra.com/press/Stwd_Survey_Sept2017_Media_Freq.pdf EPIC-MRA
123. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
124. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
125. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
126. https://www.emerson.edu/sites/default/files/Files/Academics/ecp-pr-mi-7.23.pdf Emerson College
127. Web site: Campaign finance data. September 24, 2018.
128. Web site: Schuette, Whitmer to debate in Grand Rapids. September 14, 2018.
129. https://www.c-span.org/video/?452891-1/michigan-gubernatorial-debate Complete video of debate
130. Web site: Whitmer and Schuette trade blows in bare-knuckle Grand Rapids debate.
131. Web site: Local 4 to host Bill Schuette, Gretchen Whitmer for . September 15, 2018 . September 15, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180915011329/https://www.clickondetroit.com/michigan-elections/local-4-to-host-bill-schuette-gretchen-whitmer-for-gubernatorial-debate-on-oct-24 . dead .
132. Web site: Governor candidates talk UIA scandal, auto insurance at final debate. October 25, 2018.
133. Web site: 'Learn my name,' Whitmer says after Schuette confuses her with Jennifer Granholm. October 25, 2018.
134. https://www.c-span.org/video/?453311-1/michigan-gubernatorial-debate Complete video of debate
135. Web site: El-Sayed, Thanedar rally support for Whitmer in governor race. August 27, 2018.
136. Web site: Bill Schuette no longer touts Trump ties, but president's shadow follows. September 20, 2018. December 30, 2018. December 31, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181231043052/https://www.bridgemi.com/public-sector/bill-schuette-no-longer-touts-trump-ties-presidents-shadow-follows. dead.
137. News: Some Republicans are supporting Whitmer over Schuette. DeVito. Lee. September 20, 2018. Detroit Metro Times. December 8, 2020. September 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200930234622/https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2018/09/20/some-republicans-are-supporting-whitmer-over-schuette. dead.
138. Web site: Schuette's gay rights record in spotlight amid chamber backlash.
139. Web site: Bill Schuette's record as attorney general should scare the pants off you.
140. Web site: Twitter.