Get to know the candidates to be the next Michigan U.S. Senator!
Get to know the candidates to be the next Governor of Michigan!
On August 4th, 2026, Michigan voters will go to the polls to nominate their favorite Democratic and Republican candidates for Michigan Governor. The chosen candidates will appear on the general election ballot on Tuesday, November 4th, 2026. The current Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, has served for 8 years and is term-limited. It's time, yet again, for a fresh perspective!
This article summarizes what’s publicly known so far about the candidates in the race, based on information available from official filings, news reports, and candidate communications. It will be updated as new information becomes available.
Bookmark this page for reference throughout the campaign and follow the candidates on social media. 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 nonprofit organization, and our goal is simply to make civic information easier to find and understand.
Democratic Candidates
- Joceyln Benson, Secretary of State
- Garlin Gilchrest, Lieutenant Governor
- Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff
- Marni Sawicki, JLL, General Manager
Republican Candidates
- Evan Space, [Can't Find]
- Ralph Rebrandt, Lighthouse, Pastor
- Mike Cox, CEO/Former MI AG
- John James, U.S. Government, U.S. Representative
- Karla Wagner, Real Estate Developer
- Aric Nesbitt, State of Michigan, Senator
- Tom Leonard, Plunkett Cooney, Gov't relations, Public Policy & Regulatory Compliance
- Anthony Hudson, Loghorn Logistics, Owner
Independent Candidates
- Mike Duggan, City of Detroit, Mayor
Debates
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
- Articles
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
- Articles
Chris Swanson (D)
- Website: https://www.gcsomichigan.com
- Current Job: Genesee County
- Job Title: Sheriff
- Age: 50
- Date of Birth: —
- City: Fenton
- County: Genesee
- Articles
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
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
Ralph Rebrandt (R)
- Website:
(No candidate site) - Current Job: Lighthouse
- Job Title: Pastor
- Age: 67
- Date of Birth: 1958
- City: Farmington
- County: Oakland
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
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
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
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
- Articles
Tom Leonard (R)
- Website: https://www.tomformichigan.com
- Current Job: Plunkett Cooney
- Job Title: Gov't Relations, Policy
- Age: 44
- Date of Birth: 10/21/1981
- City: DeWitt
- County: Clinton
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
- Articles
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
- Articles
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.
