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2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

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2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →
 
Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor

Gretchen Whitmer
Democratic



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

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Candidates

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Declared

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Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Declined

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Endorsements

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Jocelyn Benson
U.S. Representatives
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials

Republican primary

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Candidates

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Declared

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Formed exploratory committee

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Publicly expressed interest

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Potential

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Polling

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Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Mike
Cox
John
James
Tom
Leonard
Aric
Nesbitt
Kevin
Rinke
Other Undecided
OnMessage[21][A] January 17–19, 2025 1,000 (LV) ± 3.10% 4% 46% 1% 6% 3% 6% 35%

Independents

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Candidates

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Declared

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Endorsements

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Mike Duggan
State representatives
Local officials
Individuals

General election

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Predictions

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Source Ranking As of
270toWin[25] Tossup January 5, 2025
The Cook Political Report[26] Tossup January 23, 2025

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
Partisan clients
  1. ^ Poll sponsored by Harbor Strategic Public Affairs

References

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  1. ^ Hendrickson, Clara (January 22, 2025). "Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, announces run for Michigan governor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Schuster, Simon (November 11, 2024). "Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  3. ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (January 16, 2025). "Morning Digest: A New Mexico heavyweight could see a contested primary for governor". The Downballot. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
  4. ^ Mutnick, Ally; Schneider, Elena; Wu, Nicholas; Crampton, Liz (January 28, 2025). "Open Senate seat puts Democrats on defense in Michigan". Politico. Retrieved January 28, 2025. McMorrow told POLITICO, 'I'm taking a serious look at both the Senate seat as well as the governor's race'
  5. ^ Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  6. ^ Burke, Melissa Nann. "Michigan's Gary Peters won't seek reelection to U.S. Senate. Here's why". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2025. Retrieved January 28, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Bournonville, Alexandria (January 23, 2025). "Michigan Dems show support for Benson after announcing run for governor". WJMN-TV. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  8. ^ Marquez, Alexandra (January 23, 2025). "Emily's List endorses Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's bid for governor". NBC News. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor". End Citizens United. January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  10. ^ https://www.votemamapac.org/candidates
  11. ^ Lengel, Allan (January 10, 2025). "Michigan Gov. Whitmer Won't Endorse Lt. Gov. Gilchrist or Anyone Else For Governor in Primary". Deadline Detroit. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  12. ^ Buss, Kaitlyn (January 14, 2025). "Top GOP lawmaker launches run for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  13. ^ Hendrickson, Clara (December 23, 2024). "Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox mulls gubernatorial run". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  14. ^ Skubick, Tim (August 14, 2024). "Republican Tudor Dixon not ruling out running for governor in 2026 race". WJBK. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  15. ^ Burke, Melissa Nann; Mauger, Craig (January 28, 2025). "Here's who could run for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026 ― and who's already out". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 28, 2025. Johnson confirmed he was considering a bid for governor
  16. ^ Skubick, Tim (November 26, 2024). "Add another name for guv". The Alpena News. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  17. ^ a b c Skubick, Tim (November 8, 2024). "The next Michigan governor - there's no shortage of contenders, says Lansing insider". WJBK. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  18. ^ Mutnick, Ally (January 24, 2025). "House Democrats worry a repeat loser will ruin their chances in a Michigan battleground". Politico. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  19. ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (November 15, 2024). "Morning Digest: It's game on for one of the biggest races of 2026". The Downballot. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  20. ^ Finley, Nolan (November 30, 2024). "Duggan will trigger early start to 2026 governor's race". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  21. ^ Sellek, John (January 29, 2025). "MIGOV Poll Shows U.S. Rep. John James Leading GOP Primary for Governor".
  22. ^ Epstein, Reid (December 4, 2024). "Detroit's Mayor, a Democrat, Will Run for Michigan Governor as an Independent". The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Robinson, Sam (December 5, 2024). "Knives out: Benson, Duggan fire opening shots in Michigan governor's race". Detroit One Million – via Substack.
  24. ^ LeBlanc, Beth; Mauger, Craig (December 4, 2024). "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan launches independent campaign for governor of Michigan". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 10, 2025. Ford Motor Co. issued a statement from Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. endorsing Duggan's independent bid
  25. ^ "2025-26 Gubernatorial Elections Map". 270toWin. Retrieved January 22, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
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Official campaign websites