Lansing is about to get real weird. With Gretchen Whitmer finally packing up her bags due to term limits, the seat at the top of the mitten is officially up for grabs. Honestly, if you think this is just going to be another "red vs. blue" cookie-cutter election, you haven't been paying attention to the chaos brewing behind the scenes.
The list of governor of Michigan candidates for 2026 is already looking like a "Who’s Who" of political heavyweights and some genuine wildcards. We’ve got a legendary Detroit mayor playing the independent card, a Secretary of State with a massive national profile, and a West Point grad who’s basically the GOP’s golden boy.
It’s a lot.
The Democratic Power Shift: Benson vs. Everyone Else?
For a long time, the buzz was all about a potential showdown between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. But politics moves fast. Just this January, Gilchrist dropped a bombshell by ending his bid for the governorship. He’s decided to run for Secretary of State instead—basically swapping seats with his colleague.
This move basically cleared the deck for Benson. She’s currently sitting on a massive mountain of cash—nearly $3 million according to the latest October 2025 filings. She’s leaning hard into her reputation as the "defender of democracy," a brand she built while navigating the high-stress 2020 and 2024 elections.
But she isn't alone.
Chris Swanson, the Genesee County Sheriff, is also in the mix. You probably remember him from 2020 when he took off his riot gear to march with protesters in Flint. He’s running on a "Protect, Serve, Unify" platform. He’s got that "tough but empathetic cop" vibe that plays surprisingly well in both suburban and rural districts.
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Then there’s Marni Sawicki. She’s the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida, but she’s a native Michigander. She’s positioning herself as the outsider who can trim the fat in Lansing. It’s a bit of a long shot, but she’s vocal about transparency and fixing the state’s education rankings.
The Republican Strategy: Can John James Finally Close the Deal?
On the Republican side, the energy is... intense. The GOP is desperate to take back the governor's mansion after eight years of "That Woman from Michigan."
John James is the name everyone is talking about. He’s currently representing the 10th District in Congress, and let’s be real—the guy is a powerhouse. He’s a combat veteran, a businessman, and if he wins, he’d be Michigan’s first Black governor. He’s got the name recognition, but he’s lost statewide races before. The big question is whether he can flip those moderate voters in Oakland and Kent counties.
But the primary won't be a cakewalk for him. Look at who else is lining up:
- Mike Cox: The former Attorney General is back for another round. He’s a Marine vet who served as AG from 2003 to 2011. He’s positioning himself as the "law and order" candidate who wants to slash government spending.
- Aric Nesbitt: The Senate Minority Leader is basically the "Make Michigan Great Again" candidate. He’s got deep roots in the farming community and is a vocal Trump supporter. If the primary leans hard right, Nesbitt is the guy to watch.
- Tom Leonard: Former Speaker of the House. He’s run for Attorney General before and has a solid base within the party establishment.
The Wildcard: Mike Duggan’s Independent Streak
Here is the thing that’s actually making people in both parties lose sleep: Mike Duggan.
After over a decade of running Detroit, Duggan decided not to seek reelection as mayor. Instead, he’s jumped into the governor's race as an Independent. This is huge. Michigan isn't exactly known for third-party success, but Duggan isn't your average third-party candidate.
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He’s got the "Detroit Turnaround" story to tell. He’s got business ties. He’s got a massive fundraising network. By running as an independent, he’s basically saying, "I’m tired of the bickering in Lansing, let's just fix the roads and the schools."
If Duggan manages to pull 15-20% of the vote, he becomes a massive spoiler. Does he pull more from the Democrats because of his Detroit base? Or does he pull from moderate Republicans who like his "get it done" CEO style? Nobody knows, and that’s what makes it terrifying for the major party governor of Michigan candidates.
What People Get Wrong About the 2026 Race
Most folks think Michigan is a permanent blue state now because of the 2022 "blue wave." That's a mistake.
Michigan is still a purple state. It’s basically three different states mashed into one. You’ve got the deep blue urban cores like Detroit and Ann Arbor, the deep red rural stretches of the UP and Western Michigan, and the "Lake Effect" swing counties that decide everything.
Voters here are fickle. We have a history of "eight-year cycles." We had eight years of Granholm (D), then eight years of Snyder (R), and now eight years of Whitmer (D). If the pattern holds, the GOP is "due." But with an independent like Duggan in the race, the old patterns might just fly out the window.
Issues That Will Actually Decide the Vote
Forget the national talking points for a second. When you’re at a diner in Grand Rapids or a gas station in Alpena, people aren't talking about the same things they talk about on cable news.
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Infrastructure remains a nightmare. Whitmer’s "Fix the Damn Roads" slogan worked, but the roads... well, they still need work. Anyone who can prove they have a plan to actually fix the orange barrel cycle will win points.
Education is the sleeper issue. Michigan has been sliding in national education rankings for years. Parents are frustrated. Whether it’s school choice (the GOP platform) or increased funding for teacher retention (the Democratic platform), the candidate who speaks to the "kitchen table" anxiety of parents will have a leg up.
The "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) influence. Candidates like Mike Cox are already talking about bringing Trump-style government cuts to Lansing. This is going to be a massive flashpoint. Is Michigan's government too bloated, or will these cuts destroy social services?
Actionable Insights for Michigan Voters
If you’re trying to keep track of the governor of Michigan candidates, don't just look at the TV ads. Those are designed to make you mad, not inform you.
- Check the Primary Date: The primary is in August 2026. This is where the real drama happens. If you’re a registered voter, you can vote in either primary, but only one.
- Follow the Money: The Michigan Secretary of State website has a searchable database. Look at who is funding these campaigns. Is it small-dollar donors or massive corporate PACs? It tells you a lot about who the candidate will actually listen to once they’re in office.
- Watch the Debates: Since there is no incumbent, these candidates will have to answer for their own records. Look for how they handle the "Duggan Factor." If they spend all their time attacking him, they’re scared.
- The "Independent" Reality: If you’re considering voting for Duggan or another third-party candidate, look at the ballot access laws. Michigan has strict rules, and a candidate needs a lot of signatures just to get on the sheet.
This race is going to be a marathon, not a sprint. We’re over a year away, and the field is already crowded. Keep an eye on the polling—not just the "who’s winning" part, but the "undecided" numbers. In most early polls, about 20-30% of Michiganders still don't know who they're voting for. That’s where the election will be won.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you are registered to vote and keep an eye on your local county clerk's updates regarding ballot initiatives, as those often drive turnout more than the candidates themselves.