Michigan politics is usually a chaotic contact sport, but 2026 is shaping up to be something else entirely. We’re looking at a complete overhaul. Gretchen Whitmer is hitting her term limit, which means the keys to the governor’s mansion are officially up for grabs. Honestly, the field is already getting crowded, and some of the names might surprise you.
It’s not just a two-party scrap this time around. We've got a high-profile independent, a sheriff who went viral, and a congressman who is giving up a safe seat just to take a shot at the top job. If you’re wondering who is running for governor of Michigan, you’ve got to look past the usual party talking points.
The 2026 cycle is unique because it’s the first time in a while we haven't had an incumbent to lean on. Michigan voters have this weird habit—kinda like a clock—of switching the party in power every eight years. Since Democrats have held the seat since 2019, history says the pendulum might swing back. But with the current lineup, nothing is certain.
The Democratic heavyweights: Benson and the Sheriff
Jocelyn Benson is the name everyone knows. As the current Secretary of State, she’s spent years in the spotlight, mostly defending the state’s election integrity. She’s leaning hard into that "defender of democracy" brand. For a lot of Lansing insiders, she’s basically the frontrunner. She’s already raised millions—about $4.7 million as of late last year—and she’s got the backing of many established Democratic groups.
But it’s not a coronation.
Chris Swanson’s rise
Then there’s Chris Swanson. You might remember him as the Genesee County Sheriff who took off his riot gear and marched with protesters back in 2020. That moment basically launched him into a different stratosphere of fame. He’s running as a "unifier," which is a tough sell in today’s climate, but he’s got a law enforcement background that could play well with moderates who think the party has drifted too far left.
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The Gilchrist curveball
For a while, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II was the obvious "heir apparent." He’s been Whitmer’s right hand for years. However, in a move that shocked a lot of people just this month, Gilchrist dropped out of the governor’s race. He’s decided to run for Secretary of State instead (the seat Benson is vacating). It’s a huge shift. It narrows the Democratic primary significantly, leaving Benson and Swanson as the main contenders, alongside Marni Sawicki, the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida, who moved back to Michigan to jump into the fray.
The Republican field: A fight for the party’s soul
On the GOP side, things are arguably more intense. The big news here is John James. He’s currently representing the 10th Congressional District, but he’s leaving that behind to run for governor. James has run statewide before—twice for Senate—and while he didn’t win those, he built a massive fundraising network. Right now, he’s polling way ahead of other Republicans, sometimes snagging nearly 50% of the vote in early primary surveys.
But he isn't alone.
- Mike Cox: The former Attorney General is back. He served from 2003 to 2011 and has a lot of "old guard" Republican support. He’s already put a million dollars of his own money into the campaign.
- Aric Nesbitt: The Senate Minority Leader is the "Make Michigan Great Again" candidate in the race. He’s very close to the Trump wing of the party and grew up on a family farm, which helps him connect with the rural base in a way James might struggle to do.
- Tom Leonard: A former House Speaker who has run for Attorney General before. He’s a steady hand but is currently trailing in the polls.
There’s also a group of "outsider" candidates like Ralph Rebandt, a pastor, and Karla Wagner, who is famous in certain circles for trying to eliminate property taxes entirely. It’s a messy, loud primary that’s likely to get expensive very quickly.
The wild card: Mike Duggan’s independent bid
If you want to know what’s really keeping political consultants awake at night, it’s Mike Duggan. The longtime Mayor of Detroit did something nobody expected: he left the Democratic Party to run as an Independent.
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Duggan is a powerhouse. He’s credited with leading Detroit through its post-bankruptcy recovery. He’s got high name recognition and can raise money like a machine. By running as an independent, he’s basically betting that Michiganders are tired of the blue-vs-red stalemate.
This is a massive gamble. Michigan hasn't had a serious independent threat for governor in decades. He’s being attacked by both sides right now, which usually means the big parties are actually scared of him. If he peels off enough Detroit voters from the Democrats and enough business-minded moderates from the Republicans, he could actually pull this off.
What the 2026 race means for your wallet
Politics isn't just about names; it's about the "so what." Each of these candidates is pitching a radically different vision for Michigan’s economy.
John James and Mike Cox are talking about cutting spending and making Michigan more like Florida or Texas. They want to slash regulations to bring back manufacturing. On the flip side, Jocelyn Benson is talking about "progressive prosperity"—investing in green energy and protecting the social safety nets Whitmer put in place.
And then you have Anthony Hudson, a truck driver running as a Republican, who wants to literally abolish the Michigan Department of Transportation and give that money to counties. It's those kinds of wild-card ideas that make the 2026 race so unpredictable.
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Actionable steps for Michigan voters
The primary isn't until August 4, 2026, but the groundwork is being laid right now. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is how you can actually vet these people:
Check the "Cash on Hand"
Money doesn't always buy wins, but it buys ads. As of the last filings, Mike Cox and Jocelyn Benson have the biggest war chests. Watch the next filing deadline on April 21, 2026. If a candidate isn't raising money by then, they’re basically a ghost.
Watch the Detroit Mayor’s Office
Since Duggan is leaving the mayor's seat to run for governor, that race is also wide open. The political shift in Detroit will directly impact how many votes the gubernatorial candidates can squeeze out of the state's largest city.
Verify your registration
With Jocelyn Benson running for governor, the Secretary of State’s office—which she still runs—will be under a microscope. Make sure your voter registration is up to date through the official Michigan Voter Information Center. Don't wait until the 2026 midterms to find out there’s a glitch with your address.
Attend a "Coffee with the Candidate"
Most of these people, especially the ones like Aric Nesbitt or Chris Swanson, are doing town halls in small diners and community centers. It’s a lot harder for them to use talking points when you’re standing three feet away asking about your specific property taxes or your local school district.
The race for who is running for governor of Michigan is just getting started, but the field is already set for a historic collision. Between a high-stakes independent bid and two parties fighting to redefine themselves, 2026 won't be a boring year in the Mitten State.