Three candidates—Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson, and Kim Thomas—are running in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 4, 2026. Benson and Swanson lead in polling, fundraising, and media attention ahead of the primary.
Incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited, leaving the office open in 2026. The Associated Press' Joey Cappelletti wrote that the race "is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested political battles of 2026."
Benson was elected Michigan Secretary of State in 2018 and is also term-limited in 2026. She earned her bachelor's degree from Wellesley College, her master's degree from Oxford University, and her law degree from Harvard. Before her election as secretary of state, Benson served as dean of Wayne State University Law School. Benson also wrote a book called State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process and co-founded Military Spouses of Michigan.
