Governor — Michigan 2026
Open seat — Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited. Multi-candidate race: Republican nominee vs. Democratic nominee vs. Independent Mike Duggan + third-party candidates. 6 candidates on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot. Grades reflect each candidate's public record on life, family, religious liberty, the Second Amendment, limited government and fiscal responsibility.
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Candidates
BJohn JamesRepublican
U.S. Representative (MI-10). Won August 4 primary (~50%). Running mate: Jay DeBoyer (State Rep HD-63).
West Point graduate, Army veteran (Apache helicopter pilot), and businessman. Served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Elected to U.S. House in 2022 after two U.S. Senate campaigns. Endorsed by President Trump for governor (June 2026).
- Voted to defund ATF enforcement of pistol brace rule
- Co-sponsored Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
- A-rated by NRA, endorsed by Michigan gun rights groups
- Supports balanced budget amendment
Endorsements: President Donald Trump, Aric Nesbitt (former Senate Minority Leader)
FJocelyn BensonDemocratic
Michigan Secretary of State. Won August 4 primary with 83.1% (211,877 votes) over Chris Swanson (16.9%). LG running mate TBD (deadline Aug 25).
Two-term Secretary of State. Election law professor at Wayne State Law School. Expanded voting access as SoS. Heavily favored in Democratic primary.
- Championed Prop 2 (independent redistricting) and Prop 3 (voting access)
- Supports gun safety legislation including red flag laws
- Supports Prop 3 abortion rights amendment
- Expanded mail-in and early voting as SoS
CMike DugganIndependent
Mayor of Detroit (Independent)
N/RDonna BrandenburgU.S. Taxpayers
U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee. Running mate: Rob Cowper.
More Michigan 2026 races
- U.S. Senate
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Michigan Supreme Court (2 seats)
- State Board of Education (2 seats)
- U-M Board of Regents (2 seats)
- MSU Board of Trustees (2 seats)
- Wayne State Board of Governors (2 seats)
- U.S. House — District 1
- U.S. House — District 2
- U.S. House — District 3
- U.S. House — District 4
All statewide, congressional and legislative races → · Find your county's local ballot →