Jocelyn Benson (D), John James (R), and four other candidates are running in the general election for governor of Michigan on November 3, 2026.
Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited and can not seek re-election. Bridge Michigan's Simon D. Schuster wrote, "James heads to the general election looking to extend a streak: It’s been about 35 years since the same party held onto the Michigan governor’s office for more than two terms, something Benson is attempting to do by succeeding Whitmer, a fellow Democrat. But Republicans have not won a statewide office in Michigan in more than a decade, and midterm elections tend to serve as a referendum on the White House, where Trump’s popularity has plummeted."
In 2024, President Donald Trump (R) defeated Kamala Harris (D) 49.7%–48.3% in the presidential election and Elissa Slotkin (D) won the senatorial election 48.6%–48.3%.
