Who’s vying to replace Gretchen Whitmer as governor in 2026?

Several high-profile politicians have declared their candidacy to lead the state.

LANSING, Mich. — The next Michigan gubernatorial election will take place on Nov. 3, 2026. It will be one of five Democratic-held governor positions up for election in 2026 in a state won by President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Several high-profile Michigan politicians are vying for the position, as current Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer comes to the end of her second term in the seat. Michigan law states that a governor is limited to serving two terms in office.

Candidates for the gubernatorial election have begun declaring their intent to run. Here’s a list of who Michiganders could see on the ballot. 

Jocelyn Benson (D) | Michigan Secretary of State, 2019 – present

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson officially declared her candidacy for the governors seat Wednesday. Benson, who has been Michigan’s Secretary of State since 2019, oversaw the 2020 and 2022 general elections, which saw record-breaking turnouts for Michigan voters. 

Prior to her time in Office, Benson served as the dean of Wayne State University Law School. At the age of 35, she was named the youngest woman in America to serve in the position at an accredited law school.

Aric Nesbitt (R) | State Senator of Michigan’s 20th District, 2019-present

Sen. Aric Nesbitt, who represents Michigan’s 20th Congressional District, was elected into office in 2019. In 2023, Nesbitt was named the Michigan Senate’s Minority Leader. He declared his candidacy for the governor position earlier this month. 

Nesbitt grew up on a dairy farm in Lawton, Mich. He attended Hiillsdale College, and later received the college’s “Distinguished Alumnus” award for his work on conservative reforms in Michigan.

Mike Duggan (I) | Mayor of Detroit, 2014 – present

Mike Duggan was elected as Detroit’s mayor in 2013, making him the second longest serving mayor in Detroit’s history. Duggan credits himself with emphasizes much of the revitalization efforts Detroit has seen over the past decade.

Duggan was  a prosecutor in Wayne County prior to his time in office. 

Before filing as an Independent, Duggan was a registered Democrat. Duggan was the first politician to declare his candidacy for the governor’s position back in December of 2024. 

As the 2026 gubernatorial election approaches, speculation is already swirling around who will be vying to replace current Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. With Whitmer unable to run for a third consecutive term due to term limits, several prominent politicians have already been rumored to be considering a run for the state’s highest office.

One potential candidate is Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who has been a high-profile figure in Michigan politics for years. Duggan’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his success in revitalizing Detroit’s economy have garnered him widespread praise and could make him a formidable candidate in the gubernatorial race.

Another possible contender is Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has made headlines for her legal battles against former President Donald Trump and her advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Nessel’s progressive stances on issues like healthcare and criminal justice reform could appeal to a broad base of voters in the state.

Other names that have been floated as potential candidates include Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist, former state Senator Gretchen Whitmer, and businessman Dan Gilbert. With the race still more than a year away, it’s likely that more candidates will emerge as potential challengers to Whitmer’s successor.

As the 2026 election draws closer, Michigan residents will undoubtedly be watching closely to see who will ultimately emerge as the frontrunner in the race to become the state’s next governor. Stay tuned for updates and analysis on this hotly contested race.

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