2026 Candidates for Michigan Governor

Get to know the candidates to be the next Governor of Michigan!

As the next election approaches, potential candidates are beginning to announce their plans—or test the waters. This overview summarizes what’s publicly known so far based on information available from official filings, news reports, and candidate communications. It will be updated as new information becomes available.

On August 4th, 2025, voters will go to the polls to nominate their favorite candidate for governor of Michigan for the general election ballot on Tuesday, November 4th, 22025

Bookmark this page for reference throughout the campaign. We will be tracking articles about the candidates and will share them with you here.

Table of Contents

About This Article: Last update: 2025-10-14. While we do our best to be thorough and accurate, we might miss something—so always double-check official sources when possible. Michigan Women is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, and our goal is simply to make civic information easier to find and understand.

Democratic Candidates

1. Joceyln Benson, Secretary of State
2. Garlin Gilchrest, Lieutenant Governor
3. Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff
4. Marni Sawicki, JLL, General Manager

Republican Candidates

1. Evan Space, [Can't Find]
2. Ralph Rebrandt, Lighthouse, Pastor
3. Mike Cox, CEO/Former MI AG
4. John James, U.S. Government, U.S. Representative
5. Karla Wagner, Real Estate Developer
6. Aric Nesbitt, State of Michigan, Senator
7. Tom Leonard, Plunkett Cooney, Gov't relations, Public Policy & Regulatory Compliance
8. Anthony Hudson, Loghorn Logistics, Owner

Independent Candidates

• Mike Duggan, City of Detroit, Mayor

Democratic Candidates

Joceyln Benson (D)

• Website: https://jocelynbenson.com
• Current Job: State of Michigan
• Job Title: Secretary of State
• Age: 49
• Date of Birth: 10/22/1977
• City: Ferndale
• County: Oakland

[Back to Top]

Garlin Gilchrest (D)

• Website: https://garlingilchrist.com 
• Current Job: State of Michigan
• Job Title: Lieutenant Governor
• Age: 42
• Date of Birth: 9/25/1982
• City: Detroit
• County: Wayne

[Back to Top]

Chris Swanson (D)

• Website: https://www.gcsomichigan.com 
• Current Job: Genesee County
• Job Title: Sheriff
• Age: 50
• Date of Birth: —
• City: Fenton
• County: Genesee

[Back to Top]

Marni Sawicki (D)

• Website:
  (No candidate site)
• Current Job: JLL
• Job Title: General Manager
• Age: 55
• Date of Birth: 2/16/1970
• City: Battle Creek
• County: Calhoun

[Back to Top]

Republican Candidates

Evan Space (R)

• Website: https://space4governor.com
• Current job: (Can't find)
• Job Title: —
• Age: 45
• Date of Birth: 1980
• City: Rockford
• County: Kent

[Back to Top]

Ralph Rebrandt (R)

• Website:
  (No candidate site)
• Current Job: Lighthouse
• Job Title: Pastor
• Age: 67
• Date of Birth: 1958
• City: Farmington
• County: Oakland

[Back to Top]

Mike Cox (R)

• Website:
  (No candidate site)
• Current Job: Mike Cox Law Firm
• Job Title: CEO/Former MI AG
• Age: 63
• Date of Birth: 12/30/1961
• City: Livonia
• County: Wayne

[Back to Top]

John James (R)

• Website:
  https://johnjamesmi.com
• Current Job: U.S. Government
• Job Title: U.S. Representative
• Age: 44
• Date of Birth: 6/8/1981
• City: Shelby Township
• County: Macomb

[Back to Top]

Karla Wagner (R)

• Website:
  https://karla4mi.com
• Current Job: Multiple
• Job Title: Real Estate Developer
• Age: 64
• Date of Birth: 1961
• City: Rockford
• County: Kent

[Back to Top]

Aric Nesbitt (R)

• Website: https://nesbittforgovernor.com 
• Current Job: State of Michigan
• Job Title: Michigan Senator
• Age: 45
• Date of Birth: 1/25/1980
• City: Lawton
• County: Van Buren

[Back to Top]

Tom Leonard (R)

• Website: https://www.tomformichigan.com
• Current Job: Plunkett Cooney
• Job Title: Gov't Relations, Policy
• Age: 44
• Date of Birth: 104/21/1981
• City: DeWitt
• County: Clinton

[Back to Top]

Anthony Hudson (R)

• Website: https://electanthonyhudson.com
• Current Job: Loghorn Logistics
• Job Title: Owner
• Age: 48 (Guess)
• Date of Birth: 1976
• City: Grand Blanc Township
• County: Genesee

[Back to Top]

Independent Candidates

Mike Duggan (I)

• Website: https://mikeduggan.com 
• Current Job: City of Detroit
• Job Title: Mayor
• Age: 67
• Date of Birth: 7/15/1958
• City: Detroit
• County: Wayne

[Back to Top]

Content Disclaimer: Our team researches information from official websites, news outlets, and other public resources to make it easier for Michigan residents to stay informed. We strive to provide accurate, balanced, and up-to-date information, but we may occasionally miss updates or changes. Michigan Women is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party. This content is intended solely for civic education and public awareness.