Updates About Governor

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.

Some of Governor Whitmer’s latest appointments to boards and commissions include:

Michigan Board of Medicine

• Aurelia Gooden, of Riverview – reappointed, member of the public

Michigan Board of Marriage and Family Therapy

• Angela Miller, of Livingston – appointed, succeeds Bernard Lawler
• Natasha Wippel, of Okemos – appointed, succeeds Nadia Bazzy

Michigan Board of Nursing Home Administrators

• LaTosha Agee-Gussman, of Southfield – reappointed, general public member

Board of Interpreters for the Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing

• Randa Hermez, of Troy – appointed, succeeds Linda Sykora

Certificate of Need Commission

• Sarah Spannbauer, of Royal Oak – appointed, succeeds Gregory Salwin

Michigan Council for Rehabilitation Services

• Justin Caine, of Holt – appointed, succeeds Todd Culver

Recently, Governor Whitmer’s office released the results of a survey conducted over the last year in which nearly 4,000 Michiganders were polled on the effects of tariffs and rising costs. She also released a statement in which she highlighted the executive directive she signed that aims at assessing the effect of federal tariffs and stressed her commitment to keeping costs down and making Michigan more affordable.

The survey found that 70% of Michigan residents believe the economy is heading in a worse direction compared to the same time last year. Additionally, 52% of Michiganders report being significantly affected by rising costs in their ability to plan for the future.

Respondents reported rising costs in the following areas:

• 86% saw increases in grocery costs
• 85% saw increases in utility costs
• 70% saw increases in health care costs
• 40% saw increases in gas prices
• 32% saw increases in housing costs