If you’re looking at the calendar and wondering why everyone is suddenly obsessed with the 2026 election while we’re still sitting in January 2026, you aren't alone. Michigan politics is moving fast. Gretchen Whitmer is hitting her term limit, and the scramble to replace her has turned into a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Honestly, if you want to know who is running for Michigan governor in 2025 and beyond, the list is already surprisingly long. It's a mix of household names, law enforcement veterans, and a few people who might make you say, "Wait, who?"
The primary isn't until August 2026, but the real work—the fundraising, the hand-shaking, the awkward stump speeches—is happening right now. We've got a field that ranges from Detroit’s mayor to a literal truck driver.
The Democratic Frontrunners and Recent Shakeups
On the blue side of the aisle, things just got a whole lot simpler—and a lot more intense. For months, it looked like a two-horse race between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. But just a few days ago, on January 12, 2026, Gilchrist pulled the rug out from under the political establishment. He dropped out of the governor’s race and announced he’s running for Secretary of State instead.
Basically, this leaves Jocelyn Benson as the undisputed heavyweight on the Democratic side. She’s been leaning hard into her record of "efficiency and transparency," and with over $2.9 million in the bank as of late 2025, she’s got the war chest to prove she's serious. But she isn't alone.
Chris Swanson
The Genesee County Sheriff has some serious momentum. You might remember him from the 2020 protests when he famously took off his helmet and marched with demonstrators in Flint. He’s running on a "Protect, Serve, Unify" platform. He’s already raised over $1.3 million, which is nothing to sneeze at for a sheriff entering the big leagues.
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Marni Sawicki
The former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida, moved to Battle Creek and decided to jump in. She was the first female mayor of her Florida city and is trying to position herself as a transparent, no-nonsense leader. Her fundraising hasn't kept pace with the big names yet, but she's a wild card in the mix.
The Republican Battleground: Can They Flip the State?
Republicans are smelling blood in the water. Michigan has this weird habit of switching parties every eight years, and with Whitmer leaving, the GOP thinks 2026 is their year. The field is crowded, and "crowded" might be an understatement.
John James is the name you’ll hear the most. Currently representing the 10th District in Congress, James is making his third run for statewide office. He’s a West Point grad and a combat veteran, and early polling shows him leading the Republican pack with nearly 50% support. If he wins, he’d be Michigan’s first Black governor.
But he’s got company:
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- Mike Cox: The former Attorney General is back. He served from 2003 to 2010 and recently dumped $1 million of his own money into his campaign. He’s talking a lot about creating a "Department of Government Efficiency" for Michigan, inspired by federal efforts.
- Aric Nesbitt: The Senate Minority Leader from Lawton is a vocal Trump supporter. He’s focused on rural communities and farmers, positioning himself as the "Make Michigan Great Again" candidate for the Great Lakes State.
- Tom Leonard: The former House Speaker joined the race recently. He previously ran for Attorney General and has a strong base among the GOP establishment.
- The Grassroots Crew: You’ve got Anthony Hudson, a truck driver pushing to eliminate the state income tax, and Karla Wagner, a real estate developer who wants to scrap property taxes entirely.
The Wild Card: Mike Duggan’s Independent Streak
The biggest "wrench" in the works is Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. After over a decade leading Detroit, he decided not to run for mayor again. Instead, he launched an independent campaign for governor. This is huge. Usually, third-party or independent runs are just noise, but Duggan has massive name recognition and high-level fundraising ability.
Both Democrats and Republicans are already attacking him. That’s usually a sign that they’re actually scared of what he might do to the vote counts in November. If he stays in as an independent, he could siphon enough votes from either side to completely flip the outcome.
Why 2025 is the Year that Matters
You might think it’s too early to care. It’s not. Michigan’s filing deadline is April 21, 2026. By the time you get to the summer, the "real" candidates will have already been decided by who was able to survive the winter of 2025.
Money is the big story here. Mike Cox and Jocelyn Benson are sitting on millions. If a candidate can't show a six-figure bank account by the next reporting deadline, they’re basically toast. We are also watching to see if Attorney General Dana Nessel decides to jump in, though she’s been quiet lately.
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Michigan is one of five Democratic-held governorships in states that Donald Trump won in 2024. That makes this a national battlefield. Expect to see a lot of out-of-state money flooding our TV screens soon.
What to Watch For Next
If you want to keep tabs on the race, keep an eye on these specific milestones:
- Fundraising Reports: The next big disclosure will show if John James can keep his lead and if Mike Duggan’s independent run is actually gaining financial steam.
- Endorsements: Watch for where the big unions land. The Teamsters and UAW carry a lot of weight in Michigan, and their nod can change a campaign’s trajectory overnight.
- The Property Tax Debate: Karla Wagner and Anthony Hudson are pushing a ballot proposal to eliminate property taxes. If that actually makes it to the ballot, every single governor candidate is going to have to take a hard stance on how they’d fund schools and police without that money.
Verify your voter registration now through the Michigan Secretary of State website so you're ready for the August primary. Following the Michigan Campaign Finance Secondary (MCFN) reports is also a great way to see who is actually funding these campaigns before you hear their polished ads.