2026 Michigan gubernatorial election

The 2026 Michigan gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on November 3, 2026, to elect the governor of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist are term-limited and are ineligible to seek a third term.

Publicly expressed interest

 * Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State (2019–present)
 * Chris Swanson, Genesee County Sheriff (2020–present)

Potential

 * Winnie Brinks, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2023–present) from the 29th district (2019–present)
 * Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Secretary of Transportation (2021–present)
 * Mike Duggan, mayor of Detroit (2014–present)
 * Garlin Gilchrist, Lieutenant Governor of Michigan (2019–present)
 * Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
 * Mallory McMorrow, state senator from the 8th district (2019–present)

Declined

 * Dan Kildee, U.S. representative for MI's 8th congressional district (2013–present)

Potential

 * James Craig, Detroit Police Chief (2013-2021), and disqualified candidate for governor of Michigan in 2022
 * Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality and nominee for governor of Michigan in 2022
 * John James, U.S. Representative for MI's 10th congressional district (2023-present), and Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020
 * Perry Johnson, businessman, disqualified candidate for Governor of Michigan in 2022, and former candidate for President of the United States in 2024
 * Kevin Rinke, businessman and candidate for governor of Michigan in 2022