2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

← 2022 November 3, 2026 2030 →

Party Democratic Republican

Incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer Democratic

Elections in Michigan
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v t e

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 is term-limited and ineligible to seek a third term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Publicly expressed interest

• Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)^[1]
• Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)^[2]

Potential

• Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)^[3]
• Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present)^[3]
• Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)^[4]
• Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)^[4]
• Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)^[5]

Declined

• Dan Kildee, U.S. representative for Michigan's 8th congressional district (2013–present)^[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Potential

• Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor of Michigan in 2022^[3]
• Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2022, and former candidate for President of the United States in 2024^[6]
• Kevin Rinke, businessman and candidate for governor of Michigan in 2022^[3]

References