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2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

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For related races, see 2026 United States gubernatorial elections.

2026 Michigan gubernatorial election
← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →
 
Party Democratic Republican
Incumbent Governor

Gretchen Whitmer
Democratic



Elections in Michigan
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
U.S. House
State government
State elections
Gubernatorial elections
Attorney General elections
Secretary of State elections
Auditor General elections
State Senate elections
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Ballot proposals
1996
Proposal E
2004
Proposal 04-2
2006
Proposal 06-2
2008
Proposal 1
2012
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
Proposal 4
Proposal 5
Proposal 6
2015
Proposal 1
2018
Proposal 1
Proposal 2
Proposal 3
2020
Proposal 1
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2022
Proposal 1
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Detroit
Mayoral elections
Flint
Mayoral elections
Grand Rapids
Mayoral elections
Lansing
Mayoral elections

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
Chris Swanson
Organizations
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials

Polling

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Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Jocelyn
Benson 		Garlin
Gilchrist 		Dana
Nessel 		Chris
Swanson 		Undecided
Target Insyght[15] February 3-8, 2025 344 (V) ± 5.7% 55% 12% 12% 3% 19%

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
Target Insyght[28] February 3-8, 2025 336 (V) ± 5.7% 5% 57% – 13% – 1%[b] 23%
National Research[A] February 17–19, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 10% 38% – 17% – 8% 27%
OnMessage[29][B] 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
The Cook Political Report[33] Tossup January 23, 2025
Inside Elections[34] Battleground February 6, 2025

Polling

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Hypothetical polling

Jocelyn Benson (D) vs. Dick DeVos (R) vs. Mike Duggan (I)

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Jocelyn
Benson (D) 		Dick
DeVos (R) 		Mike
Duggan (I) 		Undecided
EPIC-MRA[24] February 3-8, 2025 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 31% 31% 23% 15%

Jocelyn Benson (D) vs. John James (R) vs. Mike Duggan (I)

Poll source Date(s)
administered 		Sample
size[a] 		Margin
of error 		Jocelyn
Benson (D) 		John
James (R) 		Mike
Duggan (I) 		Undecided
Target Insyght[35] February 3-8, 2025 600 (V) ± 4.0% 42% 30% 21% 7%

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ a b c d Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ Perry Johnson with 1%
Partisan clients
  1. ^ Poll sponsored by GOPAC, which supports Nesbitt
  2. ^ 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. ^ Kamisar, Ben (March 11, 2025). "Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist launches a run for governor, setting up a major 2026 race". NBC News. Retrieved March 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Cappelletti, Joey (February 6, 2025). "Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor". Associated Press. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Schuster, Simon (November 11, 2024). "Has Michigan governor race begun? Duggan spurs speculation. Here's who might run". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  5. ^ 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'
  6. ^ Wren, Adam (February 1, 2025). "Buttigieg rules out run for Michigan governor, mulls Senate bid". Politico. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. ^ Roth, Andrew (February 20, 2024). "Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ 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.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "End Citizens United Endorses Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Governor". End Citizens United. January 23, 2025. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  12. ^ https://www.votemamapac.org/candidates
  13. ^ a b c d Ball, Hannah (February 7, 2025). "Swanson announces run for Governor". Tri-City Times. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  16. ^ Jeltema, Ryan (February 13, 2025). "Republican from Grand Blanc Township announces run for governor". WJRT-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Buss, Kaitlyn (January 14, 2025). "Top GOP lawmaker launches run for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  18. ^ Nichols, Anna. "Gun advocates gather on the Michigan Capitol lawn to slam Democrats' gun reforms". Michigan Advance. Retrieved February 8, 2025. At the event, William Null announced he'd try to run for governor of Michigan in 2026.
  19. ^ Hendrickson, Clara (December 23, 2024). "Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox mulls gubernatorial run". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  20. ^ Skubick, Tim (August 14, 2024). "Republican Tudor Dixon not ruling out running for governor in 2026 race". WJBK. Retrieved September 18, 2024.
  21. ^ 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
  22. ^ Skubick, Tim (November 26, 2024). "Add another name for guv". The Alpena News. Retrieved November 27, 2024.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ a b Spangler, Todd (February 11, 2025). "Michigan poll: Democrats face uncertain road in 2026 races". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved February 11, 2025.
  25. ^ Mutnick, Ally (January 24, 2025). "House Democrats worry a repeat loser will ruin their chances in a Michigan battleground". Politico. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ Finley, Nolan (November 30, 2024). "Duggan will trigger early start to 2026 governor's race". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  28. ^ "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  29. ^ Sellek, John (January 29, 2025). "MIGOV Poll Shows U.S. Rep. John James Leading GOP Primary for Governor".
  30. ^ 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.
  31. ^ a b Robinson, Sam (December 5, 2024). "Knives out: Benson, Duggan fire opening shots in Michigan governor's race". Detroit One Million – via Substack.
  32. ^ 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
  33. ^ "2026 CPR Governor Race ratings". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 23, 2025.
  34. ^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
  35. ^ "Poll: Jocelyn Benson Dominates Mike Duggan in Governor's Race". Deadline Detroit. March 8, 2025. Retrieved March 8, 2025.
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Official campaign websites
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