Updated List of 2026 Gubernatorial and U.S. Senate Candidates
Update: May 13-27, 2025
With new additions and recent drop-outs, the number of candidates running to replace termed-out Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) and retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters seems to be ever-changing. Below is the updated list of contenders for each race:
Gubernatorial Candidates:
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Running as a Democrat:
- Jocelyn Benson: Michigan Secretary of State
- Garlin Gilchrist II: Michigan Lieutenant Governor
- Chris Swanson: Genesee County Sheriff
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Running as a Republican:
- John James: U.S. Representative (Shelby Township)
- Aric Nesbitt: Michigan Senate Minority Leader (Lawton)
- Mike Cox: Former Attorney General
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Running as an Independent:
- Mike Duggan: Mayor of Detroit
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Party Affiliation Not Announced:
- Anthony Hudson: Truck Driver (Genesee County)
U.S. Senate Candidates:
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Running as a Democrat:
- Joe Tate: Former Michigan Speaker of the House, Current State Representative (Detroit)
- Haley Stevens: U.S. Representative (Birmingham)
- Mallory McMorrow: Michigan Senator (Royal Oak)
- Abdul El-Sayed: Wayne County Health Officer (Ann Arbor)
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Running as a Republican:
- Mike Rogers: Former U.S. Representative (White Lake)
See our full coverage of 2026 election news here.