Michigan governor’s race could break barriers — and party lines

August 1, 2025

The race for Michigan's governorship in 2026 is shaping up to be highly competitive as term-limited Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer cannot seek reelection. The Democratic primary features Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and others, while the Republican field includes Representative John James and several former state officials. Adding complexity to the race, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate in what is expected to be one of the closest gubernatorial contests in 2026.

Who is affected

Michigan voters and residents
Democratic and Republican party organizations in Michigan
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist (who would be the state's first Black governor if elected)
The candidates running for governor (Democrats, Republicans, and independent Mike Duggan)
National political parties focusing on swing states

What action is being taken

Multiple candidates are currently running in both the Democratic and Republican primaries for Michigan governor
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate
The state is preparing for what is expected to be one of the most competitive 2026 gubernatorial races
Political parties are organizing for the upcoming election in this key swing state

Why it matters

Michigan is a crucial swing state that has flipped between parties in recent elections
The state has been a pipeline for women leaders in politics
This race could impact the national political landscape as Michigan has been decided by narrow margins (Biden won by 2.8 points in 2020, Trump by 1.4 points in 2024)
This is one of 36 governorships up for election in 2026
The election represents part of a broader pattern where five Democratic-led states won by Trump in 2024 will hold gubernatorial elections in 2026

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The 19th