Updates About Elections

Two major pieces of election news emerged recently. Independent gubernatorial candidate and former Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, announced he was bowing out of the race Meanwhile, the Board of State Canvassers also determined that Republican gubernatorial candidate Ralph Rebandt and Democratic candidate Kim Thomas, as well as Republican U.S. Senate candidate Bernadtee Smith had all failed to meet the valid signature threshold required to remain on the August ballot.

Polls showed that Duggan had failed to gain any upward momentum in recent months, and he professed he no longer saw a path to victory. His independent candidacy had complicated this year’s gubernatorial race and drew heavy criticism from both the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties.

While all three candidates disqualified by the Board of State Canvassers were considered longshot for their respective races, that didn’t stop Rebandt and Thomas from speaking out against the Board’s decision. The Board has also reviewed last minute challenges to the GOP Governor frontrunners John James and Perry Johnson, but both had enough valid signatures.

The primary field for the Governor’s race in both parties is expected to be finalized after the Michigan Bureau of Elections (BOE) completes signature validation, with nine candidates having submitted the minimum required signatures for review. The candidates who filed for each party are listed below:

Democrats

• Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson
• Genesee County Sheriff, Chris Swanson
• Former Federal Auditor, Kim Thomas

Republicans

• U.S. Congressman, John James
• Businessman, Perry Johnson
• Former Attorney General, Mike Cox
• Senate Minority Leader, Aric Nesbitt
• Pastor, Ralph Rebrandt

Former Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent, will forgo any primary election and instead have to turn his signatures in by July 16 in order to appear on the November general election ballot.

Recently, the Michigan Democratic Party held their State Endorsement Convention. At the convention, party delegates voted to endorse current Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for Attorney General. Gilchrist won the endorsement over Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. Eli Savit beat out Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

With nominees now finalized, both parties can shift their focus to the general election in November. Below are the matchups for each race.

Secretary of State

• Democrat Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II
• Republican Macomb County Clerk, Anthony Forlini

Attorney General

• Democrat Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Eli Savit
• Republican Eaton County Prosecutor, Doug Lloyd