2026 race for Michigan’s governor: Here’s a look at the candidates so far

TheraceforMichigan’snextgovernorislookingcrowdedaheadofthe2026election. Anothercandidateannouncedhisbidforgovernorearlierthisweek.Now,threeDemocrats,fourRepublicansandoneIndependentarecampaigningforcurrentGovernorGretchenWhitmer’sposition. Whitmerhasreachedhertermlimits,makingherineligibletorunagain. Here’salookatthecandidatesrunningforMichigan’sgovernorasofJune17,2025: JocelynBenson(D) FILE–MichiganSecretaryofStateJocelynBensonspeaksinDetroit,Sept.24,2020.(APPhoto/PaulSancya,File)(Copyright2020TheAssociatedPress.Allrightsreserved)MichiganSecretaryofStateJocelynBensonthrewherhatintheringforthestate’sgovernorraceinmid-January. BensonwaselectedasMichigan’sSecretaryofStatein2018.Duringhertimeinthisrole,sheimprovedthecustomerserviceoperationsoftheSecretaryofState’sOfficebydoublingthenumberofservicesavailableonline,installingmorethan100self-servicestationsacrossthestate,andlaunchingmobileofficestobri