Even as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was delivering her final State of State Address on Wednesday, Feb. 25, more than a dozen people had announced they are hoping to replace her as governor of Michigan.
Michigan Republican businessman Perry Johnson was the latest to announce plans, on Jan. 26, that he will make a second bid for the governor’s office.
Declared candidates include Democrats Jocelyn Benson, Marni Sawicki, Kevin Hogan and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and Republicans U.S. Rep. John James, Anthony Hudson, Karla Wagner, State Sen. Aric Nesbitt, Ralph Rebandt, Joyce Gipson, Evan Space, former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, and Johnson.
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who was elected as a Democrat, is running as an Independent.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, a Democrat, previously dropped out to instead pursue the Michigan Secretary of State position being vacated by Benson.
The candidates for the 2026 election all hope to succeed Whitmer, who is term limited. The next governor will take office Jan. 1, 2027, after Whitmer’s term expires.
The deadline for Democrats and Republicans to file to seek the governor’s office is 15 Tuesdays before the August primary election (April 21, 2026) and for candidates filing without party affiliation, it’s 110 days before the November election (July 16, 2026).
Here’s a closer look at when the election takes place and declared candidates.
When is Michigan’s gubernatorial election?
The next election for governor of Michigan is Nov. 3, 2026. The 2026 primary election is Aug. 4, 2026.
How can candidates get onto the ballot?
Except for write-in candidates, all candidates for governor must submit an Affidavit of Identity in duplicate when filing for office.
To be eligible for the office of governor, a person must be 30 or older and have been a registered elector for at least four years.
Candidates seeking the Democratic Party or Republican Party nomination must use the Countywide Partisan Nominating Petition form. A candidate must submit at least 15,000 valid signatures and may submit up to 30,000 signatures. The petition must be signed by at least 100 registered electors in each of at least half of the congressional districts in the state. Access to the ballot via filing fee is not available, the Michigan Secretary of State office says.
Candidates seeking nomination without political party affiliation must submit at least 12,000 valid signatures and may submit up to 60,000.
A candidate seeking the office of governor with write-in votes must file a Declaration of Intent no later than 4 p.m. on the second Friday immediately before the election.
Mike Cox, Republican
Cox served as Michigan’s top legal official from 2003-10. He ran in the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2010, finishing third in a five-candidate field that year. He was Michigan’s first Republican Attorney General in 50 years, his website notes.
Cox grew up in Redford Township. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then attended the University of Michigan, obtaining his undergraduate and law degrees. He spent 21 years as a prosecutor, the website says.
His wife, Laura Cox, previously served as the Michigan GOP chair during the 2020 election.
His X account says he is running to “eliminate the tax on work, restore the right to work, DOGE the state, teach the ABCs, not DEI, and support school choice.”
“I’m no stranger to winning tough races, and we’re going to do it again. Saving our state is worth it,” he said in a post on X.
John James, Republican
James, who represents the 10th Congressional District, served as president of James Group International (JGI) and CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics — a supply-chain management and logistics services company based in Detroit.
He served eight years of active duty military service as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer leading two Apache helicopter platoons during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-09. He is the state’s only Black congressman. He ran for U.S. Senate twice unsuccessfully before taking on this newly created seat in 2022 and winning by a narrow margin.
James, of Shelby Township, has also given attention to Selfridge Air National Guard Base and worked to bring earmarks back to the district.
“Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership — leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most,” James said in a statement April 7, 2025, posted to X. “It’s time to get Michigan’s government out of fantasyland and back to common sense.”
Chris Swanson, Democrat
Swanson was elected Genesee County sheriff in 2020. He won reelection in 2024.
Swanson grew up in Grand Blanc and currently lives in Fenton, both Genesee County cities. He has worked in law enforcement for almost three decades, according to the Genesee County Sheriff’s website.
Swanson attended Mott Community College in Flint, and holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in public administration, both from the University of Michigan.
During a campaign kickoff event, Swanson named protecting Michigan residents’ 2nd Amendment, collective bargaining and civil rights as some of his priorities as well as the freedom to worship, in a speech in which he invoked his own faith, saying the Lord had opened doors for him.
“I want to lead and help people and inspire an entire generation in the state of Michigan,” he said during his announcement.
Jocelyn Benson, Democrat
Benson was first elected Secretary of State in 2018 and then again in 2022. As Michigan’s chief elections officer during the 2020 election, Benson spoke out against President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn his loss that year.
In addition to her election duties, Benson also oversees motor vehicle services in Michigan. During her time in office, Benson has moved more services online and, with self-service kiosk stations in Michigan, some drivers have replaced in-person visits to a Secretary of State office with a trip to the grocery store.
A graduate of Harvard Law School and expert on civil rights law, education law and election law. Before serving as Secretary of State, Benson was dean at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.
“I want Michigan to be the best place in the country to be a kid, raise a kid, and be healthy, safe, and successful. A place where government is efficient and easy to deal with, where businesses and communities thrive, and where every resident has access to quality child care, health care, education, and housing,” Benson said in a statement.
Tom Leonard, Republican
Two-time GOP attorney general candidate and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, of DeWitt, says Michigan is at a crossroads.
“Our unemployment rate ranks 49th out of 50, and less than 40% of our third-graders can read at a proficient level. We are also losing our loved ones to other states. A positive vision, hard work, and a lot of grit are what it’s going to take to turn this state around,” he said in a post on X on June 17, 2025.
In November 2012, he was elected as a state representative representing Clinton and Gratiot counties, serving from 2013 through 2018 and led the chamber in his final two-year terms. In 2018, he lost the attorney general’s race to Democrat Dana Nessel.
Leonard graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan. He earned his juris doctorate degree from Michigan State University law school.
Leonard is a partner at the law firm Plunkett Cooney’s Lansing office, serving as the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group Leader, according to the firm’s website.
Aric Nesbitt, Republican
Nesbitt is a Van Buren County Republican, who grew up on a farm and has a long career in Republican politics. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010, serving three terms in the chamber.
He was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. When Democrats flipped that chamber from Republican to Democratic control in the 2022 election, his fellow GOP lawmakers chose him to serve as the Senate Republican Leader.
“As governor, I will put Michigan first by supporting taxpayers over the woke left, empowering parents, keeping families safe, and standing with President Trump to revive our manufacturing industry and Make Michigan Great Again,” Nesbitt said in a statement.
Anthony Hudson, Republican
Hudson, a Grand Blanc resident, was born in Hillsboro, Texas, and served in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2001. He moved to Michigan in 2012, his online biography says, to be near his children after his divorce.
His career experience includes owning a small trucking company, Longhorn Logistics, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Hudson is running for governor to eliminate property and state income taxes, demand transparency and accountability, and return power to local communities where it belongs, he says on his website.
Mike Duggan, Independent
Duggan is a Detroit native and was elected the 75th mayor of Detroit in 2013. He took office as mayor in 2014.
After graduating from law school at the University of Michigan, he became an attorney for Wayne County, and then served for 14 years as deputy Wayne County executive.
Duggan chaired the stadium authority and was involved in building Comerica Park and Ford Field, the downtown stadiums for the Tigers and Lions. He also oversaw the construction of the McNamara Terminal and modernization of Metro Airport, the website said. Duggan also was CEO of the Detroit Medical Center.
Duggan says he wants to find ways to keep Michigan’s young people in the state, improve public education, and expand access to affordable housing. He also hopes to end partisanship in Lansing.
Marni Sawicki, Democrat
Democrat Marni Sawicki, of Kalamazoo, says she was raised in Battle Creek.
Sawicki’s campaign website and Facebook page, Michigan Loves Marni, Governor, announce “Marni is the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida. She was elected in 2013 and served for four years. She is now running to the next Governor of Michigan!”
Sawicki says she spent 15 years working in corporate insurance, then transitioned to managing six malls, five in Michigan.
“(Feb. 24), I’m officially announcing my candidacy for Governor of Michigan,” she said on Facebook. “This isn’t a decision I’ve made lightly, but I can no longer stand by while career politicians continue to put special interests and outdated wants of the party ahead of hardworking Michigan families.
“Our campaign won’t be backed by corporate PACs or wealthy lobbyists. We’re building something different – a true grassroots movement powered by Michiganders like you. While my opponents will have their war chests filled by the political establishment, we’ll rely on small-dollar donations from people who believe Michigan deserves better leadership,” she added.
Kevin Hogan, Democrat
Hogan, a biochemist, says on his campaign website that he is running for governor to provide tax cuts to senior citizens, small businesses and minimum wage earners. He’s advocating for a living minimum wage and supports unions.
Hogan says he will uphold personal privacy, ensure equal rights and will protect the Earth and its many life forms.
Hogan ran in 2022 with the Green Party of Michigan, his website says.
. He earned a degree from the University of Michigan, according to Ballotpedia.
Joyce Gipson, Republican
Republican Joyce Gipson, of Grand Rapids, on March 4, 2025, said on Facebook she is running for governor.
“I’m running for governor because I believe in serving others,” she said. “I’m also deeply committed to advocating for my community. As a Black woman from Decatur with a large family of 18 siblings, I’ve seen first hand the challenges faced by those who may have been overlooked due to standardized testing.”
Gipson says she graduated from Decatur High, went to Southwestern College and obtained an associate’s degree. Later, she returned to Andrews University to earn a bachelor’s degree.
In a Facebook post, Gipson said her faith guides her decisions.
“I’ve committed myself to serving Christ, and I aspire to live a life that reflects those values. I believe my dedication to service, combined with my personal experiences, will allow me to effectively serve the people of this state,” the post said.
She says she would fight for freedom of speech, protect children by stopping “boys from competing in girls sports and end the sexual mutilation of our youth” and fight for veterans and seniors.
Evan Space, Republican
Republican Evan Space, of Grand Rapids, has formed a campaign committee and has a website stating he is running for governor.
Space, a Traverse City native, calls for the elimination of all business taxes, statehood for the UP, bringing space launches to Michigan, the establishment of a U.S. military base and the reform of the Friend of the Court, among other goals.
He attended Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University.
Space owns a window washing company. He served in the Army National Guard as an engineer.
Ralph Rebandt, Republican
Rebandt is a former pastor who came in last in his party’s most recent gubernatorial primary. He was and farm raised in Woodhaven, according to his campaign website.
He launched his 2026 gubernatorial bid Sept. 18 with a video celebrates President Donald Trump’s return to the White House.
Rebandt opposes abortion. He was the only Republican gubernatorial candidate in 2022 who favored an abortion ban without any exceptions.
“I have a dream that together we will usher in the golden age of Michigan,” Rebandt says in the video. “We will build the strongest economy in the country. We will return to commonsense policies.”
In addition to calling for a manufacturing renaissance and curtailing government regulation of business, he says Michigan should create a state-backed cryptocurrency and eliminate property taxes. While Rebandt listed Oakland County as his county of residence in 2022, his 2026 campaign finance filing says he currently lives in Otsego County.
Karla Wagner, Republican
Karla Wagner says on her campaign website that “property tax elimination is and will always be my main focus. It is the culmination of my research into how we can save our homes, farms and businesses. It is far from my only focus, however.”
She says she wants all levels of government to reassess needs and spending, research “legitimate” alternative energy, promote small businesses, reduce the Legislature to part-time, support farmers, revert the lottery to its original intent and scope, reform school funding, reduce insurance costs, investigate government overreach and other goals.
Wagner is founder of the AXMITax effort that hopes to get a referendum on the ballot to do away with property taxes.
Perry Johnson, Republican
Johnson, a Bloomfield Hills millionaire who advises corporate clients on how to improve quality in their processes, has described himself as a “quality guru,” but has never held elected office. His campaign website describes him as a self-made businessman.
“Michigan families and small businesses deserve a government that works as hard as they do,” Johnson said in a news release.
Johnson said a news release that his campaign will focus on efficiency in government, fiscal discipline, and a path to eliminating Michigan’s 4.25% personal income tax.
This story has been updated to correct Aric Nesbitt’s county of residence.
The Detroit Free Press reporter Paul Egan contributed reporting to this story.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Who’s running for Michigan governor? Less than 2 months to filing deadline
Reporting by Dan Basso and Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Lansing State Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
