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Three Democrats run to be Michigan’s next Secretary of State

October 15, 2025

Three Democrats—Barb Byrum (47), Adam Hollier (40), and Aghogho Edevbie (37)—are competing to be their party's nominee for Michigan Secretary of State in the 2026 election, as current Secretary Jocelyn Benson is term-limited and running for governor. Byrum, the Ingham County Clerk since 2013 and former state representative, positions herself as a fighter against voting restrictions, while Hollier, a former state senator, emphasizes his military background and legislative experience. Edevbie, a deputy clerk who helped develop voting reforms that became Proposal 2, distinguishes himself by pledging not to accept corporate PAC donations, though his competitors have higher name recognition.

Who is affected

  • Michigan voters who will elect a new Secretary of State in 2026
  • Democratic Party delegates who will select the nominee at the convention
  • Current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson who is term-limited
  • The three Democratic candidates: Barb Byrum, Adam Hollier, and Aghogho Edevbie
  • Michigan residents whose voting rights and election administration will be impacted by the next Secretary of State

What action is being taken

  • Three Democrats are actively running campaigns to secure their party's nomination for Secretary of State
  • Byrum is educating people about election security and positioning herself to fight against voting restrictions
  • Hollier is campaigning on his military background and legislative experience
  • Edevbie is refusing to accept corporate PAC donations to distinguish his campaign
  • The Democratic Party is preparing for its nominating convention where delegates will select their candidate

Why it matters

  • The Secretary of State oversees Michigan's elections and voting systems
  • The 2026 election will determine who manages election administration during potentially contentious future elections
  • The candidates have different backgrounds and approaches to protecting voting rights
  • The winner will replace term-limited Secretary Jocelyn Benson
  • The race reflects broader tensions about election security and voting access following the 2020 election controversies
  • The position is critical for implementing and defending Michigan's voter-approved election reforms

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle

Three Democrats run to be Michigan’s next Secretary of State