Nov 3, 2026 · open seat
Michigan — Governor
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Jocelyn Benson won the August 4 Democratic primary with 83.2%; Trump-endorsed John James won his with 50.1% over Perry Johnson. Libertarian Anthony Hudson is also running. Republicans last won here in 2014.
Jocelyn Benson
Democrat · Age 49
Secretary of state since 2019 and former dean of Wayne State University Law School.
Campaign website →
John James
Republican · Age 45
Army veteran and congressman since 2023, after two Senate losses. Worked in his family’s logistics company. Would be Michigan’s first Black governor.
Campaign website →
Who's ahead?
CookLEAN DSabatoLEAN DDDHQLEAN D
Ratings: Cook Political Report (Sept 10), Sabato’s Crystal Ball (Sept 3), Decision Desk HQ (Sept 12). Source →
Benson
49
James
42
Where they stand
Tap a topic that's important to you.
BENSON SAYS
{{ dSays }}
JAMES SAYS
{{ rSays }}
Their big promises
BENSON'S TOP 3
Affordable Michigan
More starter homes, a $5,000 caregiver tax credit, and Rx Kids cash aid statewide.
Data-center moratorium
No new data centers until they must pay for their own power, skip tax breaks and protect water.
Top-10 public schools
A benchmarked plan to lift Michigan schools into the national top 10.
JAMES'S TOP 3
Eliminate the income tax
Cut $3 billion in waste for an immediate one-quarter cut, then phase the tax out.
Clean up Lansing
Full financial disclosure, open records for the governor and legislature, and a 10-year spending audit.
#1 in education by 2037
School-choice scholarships, phonics, no phones in class, and a career credential for every graduate.
Fundraising
CANDIDATERAISED JUL 20–AUG 24CASH ON HAND
Jocelyn Benson$1.8M$5.9M
John James$1.2M$1.5M
Michigan campaign-finance reports for July 20–Aug 24, 2026, as reported by The Detroit News. Hoodline →
Sources
- Jocelyn Benson — Affordability · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
- Jocelyn Benson — Data Centers · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
- Jocelyn Benson — Education · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
- Benson campaign release on tariffs · Sept 30, 2026
- John James — Freedom Agenda · campaign website, accessed Sept 30, 2026
- 2026 United States gubernatorial elections · Wikipedia (race ratings)
- Earlier reporting on tax, tariff and abortion positions · Gander Newsroom, WDIV, WWMT, NBC News
- Hoodline · fundraising
Positions summarized from the candidates’ campaign websites · September 2026
Spot an error or a missing race? Let us know.
Contact us
Privacy policy
Spot an error or a missing race? Let us know.
Contact us
Privacy policy