State Candidates

Michigan Advance 2026 Voter Guide – https://michiganadvance.com/voter-guides/2026-michigan-primary-election/

Bridge Michigan 2026 Voter Guide – https://bridgemi.com/michigan-government/2026-michigan-voter-guide/

🏛 State Offices up for Election in 2026

• GOVERNOR
  • Democratic Primary
    • Jocelyn Benson
      • Benson has served as Michigan’s Secretary of State since 2019, following her victory in the 2018 election, her second attempt at seeking the office, after losing in the 2010 election.  She was re-elected to another term in 2022, and is term-limited.  Prior to being Secretary of State, Benson served as the Dean of the Wayne State University School of Law from 2012 to 2016. https://ballotpedia.org/Jocelyn_Benson
    • Chris Swanson
      • Swanson has served as the Sheriff of Genesee County since 2020.  He is a graduate of Mott Community College and The University of Michigan.  Before his political career, he served in various roles, such as being a police officer, paramedic, business owner, and teacher. https://ballotpedia.org/Chris_Swanson_(Michigan)

• • Republican Primary
    • Mike Cox
      • Cox served as Michigan’s Attorney General from 2003 to 2011.  This is his second run for the governor’s mansion, having unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination in 2010.  Cox is a graduate of the University of Michigan, and got his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan Law School. https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Cox
    • John James
      • James has served as the U.S. Congressman for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District since 2023.  Prior to being elected to Congress, James unsuccessfully sought the U.S. Senate twice as the Republican nominee, losing in 2018 and 2020.  Before politics, James served as a Captain in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012, and worked in supply chain management. https://ballotpedia.org/John_James_(Michigan)
    • Perry Johnson
      • Johnson is a businessman, author, and the founder of Perry Johnson Registrars.  Johnson sought the Republican nomination for Governor in 2022, but did not have enough valid signatures.  He also sought the Republican nomination for President in 2024. https://ballotpedia.org/Perry_Johnson
    • Aric Nesbitt
      • Nesbitt has served as the Minority Leader in the Michigan State Senate since 2023, and as a State Senator since 2019, having represented the 20th district since 2023.  Prior to that, he was a State Representative from 2011 to 2017, and was the Michigan Lottery Commissioner from 2017 to 2018.  Nesbitt received his Bachelor’s from Hillsdale College, and his M.B.A. from the Norwegian School of Economics. https://ballotpedia.org/Aric_Nesbitt

• • Libertarian Candidate
    • Anthony Hudson
      • Hudson is a trucker and a small business owner.  Hudson initially sought the Republican nomination for President in 2024, before shifting to the Republican nomination for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, which was unsuccessful.  Hudson served in the Army from 1999 to 2001. https://electanthonyhudson.com/

• ATTORNEY GENERAL
  • The Michigan Democratic and Republican Parties use a state convention to select their nominee for Attorney General, a process mandated by state law for this specific office.
  • Democratic Candidate
    • Eli Savit
      • Savit has served as the Prosecuting Attorney for Washtenaw County since 2021.  Along with serving in various clerkship roles, Savit became the Senior Legal Counsel in the Detroit Mayoral Office.  Savit received his Bachelor’s from Kalamazoo College and his juris doctorate from the University of Michigan. https://ballotpedia.org/Eli_Savit

• • Republican Candidate
    • Doug Lloyd
      • Lloyd has served as the Prosecuting Attorney for Eaton County since 2013.  Before that, Lloyd served in various roles within the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office from 2000 to 2013, and served in Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office from 1996 to 2000.  Lloyd received his Bachelor’s from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and received his juris doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. https://ballotpedia.org/Doug_Lloyd

SECRETARY OF STATE

The Michigan Democratic and Republican Parties use a state convention to select their nominee for Secretary of State, a process mandated by state law for this specific office.

• Democratic Candidate
  • Garlin Gilchrist
    • Gilchrist has served as the Lieutenant Governor of Michigan since 2019.  Before that, he unsuccessfully sought the office of Clerk of the City of Detroit in 2017.  Gilchrist received his Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan. https://ballotpedia.org/Garlin_Gilchrist_II

• Republican Candidate
  • Anthony Forlini
    • Forlini has served as the Clerk for Macomb County since 2020.  Before that, he was a State Representative from 2011 to 2016, and the Supervisor of Harrison Township from 2004 to 2011.  Forlini received his Bachelor’s from Western Michigan University. https://ballotpedia.org/Anthony_Forlini
• Green Party Candidate
  • Eric Borregard

U.S. SENATE

• • Democratic Primary
    • Abdul El-Sayed
      • El-Sayed served as the Director of the Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Affairs for Wayne County from 2023 to 2025.  He unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of Michigan in 2018.  El-Sayed received his Bachelor’s from The University of Michigan, his masters and Ph.D. from The University of Oxford’s Oriel College, and his MD from Columbia University. https://abdulforsenate.com/
    • Mallory McMorrow
      • McMorrow has served as a State Senator since 2019, and has been the State Senator for the 8th District since 2023.  Prior to entering politics, she worked in industrial design.  McMorrow earned her Bachelor’s from Notre Dame University. https://www.mcmorrowformichigan.com/
    • Haley Stevens
      • Stevens has been the Congresswoman for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District since 2019.  Prior to  that, she last worked with the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago until 2017.  Stevens received her Bachelor’s and Master’s from American University. https://haleyformi.com/

• • Republican Candidate
    • Mike Rogers – Rogers served as the Congressman for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District from 2001 to 2015.  This is his second run for U.S. Senate, having been the Republican nominee for the office in 2024, and having lost in the general election.  Rogers received his Bachelor’s from Adrian College. https://rogersforsenate.com/
  • Independent Candidate
    • Lydia Christensen – I am a transgender candidate running for the US Senate. I know the struggles of facing public scrutiny and have the heart to stand up for others. I was trained as a computer scientist but started my own company IronFortressLLC in order to live the values I hold.  The core component of my campaign is that of preservation of our constitution, upholding our civil rights and declaring our digital rights are necessary to ensuring that the American people remain free. All men are created equal and our government should hold that promise true.
  • Green Party Candidate
    • Douglas Marsh – Marsh was born in Traverse City. He graduated from Elk Rapids High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2006. His career experience includes working as a journalist, educator, firefighter, landscaper, ski patroller, and coal passer. Campaign priorities include:  affordable healthcare for everyone; an end to illegal wars and military operations; housing policy reforms such that every person in the United States is adequately housed .

• U.S. HOUSE (District 1)
  • Democratic Primary
    • Callie Barr
      • Barr is a native of Cheboygan.  Along with advocating for various causes, she worked as a business attorney.  Barr received her Bachelor’s from Central Michigan University, and her juris doctorate from University of Michigan Law School. https://ballotpedia.org/Callie_Barr
    • Kyle Blomquist
      • Blomquist currently serves as a City Councilman in his native Iron Mountain.  He also co-manages an architecture firm.  Blomquist received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. https://ballotpedia.org/Kyle_Blomquist
    • Wayne Stiles
      • Stiles is an industrial designer and entrepreneur.  He was raised in west Michigan, and now lives in Traverse City.  Stiles received his Associate’s from Grand Rapids Community College, and his Bachelor’s from the University of Michigan. https://ballotpedia.org/Wayne_Stiles

• • Republican Primary
    • Jack Bergman
      • Bergman has served as the Congressman for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District since 2017.  Before that, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 40 years, retiring as a Lieutenant General, and also working as a business owner and pilot.  Bergman received his Bachelor’s from Gustavus Adolphus College, and his MBA from the University of Western Florida. https://ballotpedia.org/Jack_Bergman
    • Matthew DenOtter
      • DenOtter is a pharmaceutical representative and is from Boyne City.  This is his second run for Congress, having unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District in 2022.  DenOtter received his Bachelor’s and Master of Divinity from Calvin University. https://ballotpedia.org/Matthew_DenOtter
    • Justin Michal
      • Michal is a researcher and a native of Grayling.  In addition to that, he also served in the U.S. Army.  Michal received his Bachelor’s from Palm Beach State College, and is in the process in receiving his Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University. https://ballotpedia.org/Justin_Michal

• • Other Candidates
    • Zebulon Featherly – Independent
      • Featherly is an electrician.  He grew up outside of Houghton, but now lives in Traverse City.  Featherly is a graduate of the Northwest Renewable Energy Institute.

• STATE SENATE (District 32)
  • Democratic Primary
    • Rebecca Amidon
      • Amidon is a teacher and a political activist.  She served as the Vice Chair of the Manistee County Democratic Party from 2021-2024, and has been associated with various other organizations.  Amidon received her Associate’s from Ivy Tech Community College, her Bachelor’s from Purdue University-Fort Wayne, and her Graduate degree from Trine University.
    • Jay Kilgo
      • Kilgo currently serves as a Muskegon City Commissioner.  Alongside his political career, he is also a real estate broker, and has worked in real estate since 2019.  Kilgo attended Lincoln College of Technology.
      • Republican Primary
        • Kim Cole
          • Cole has served as the Sheriff of Mason County since 2013.  Before that, he rose up the ranks, and served in various positions with the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.  Cole is a graduate of West Shore Community College.
        • Max Rieske
          • Rieske served in the U.S. Army for 32 years, is a former school teacher and was formerly on the Fruitport Township Park Commission.  He ran for President in 2008, the 91st State House district in 2016, and for Muskegon County Sheriff in 2024.  Rieske received both of his Bachelor degrees from Western Michigan University.
    • STATE HOUSE (District 103)
      • Republican Candidate
        • Edwin Dean –  Dean is running on a platform emphasizing: Greater local control over state decisions, Fiscal responsibility, Support for small businesses, Energy policies tailored to Northern Michigan rather than statewide mandates and a balanced approach to environmental regulation, including Line 5. He says he wants to bring stronger representation to Northern Michigan communities and focus on practical, local issues. – https://edwindean103.com/
      • Democratic Candidate
        • • Betsy Coffia – Coffia is the current state representative for District 103, first elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2024.  She previously served on the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners.  Campaign priorities include: Affordable housing, Expanding access to health care, Protecting the Great Lakes and natural resources, Supporting public education, Workforce development and economic opportunity. Coffia has received endorsements from organizations including AFT Michigan, EMILY’s List, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Sierra Club Michigan. https://www.betsycoffia.com/
    • STATE HOUSE (District 104)
      • Democratic Candidate
        • Mitch Distin – A scientist by training, Distin holds degrees from Michigan State University, University College London, and earned a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from the Universitat de València. After spending nearly a decade studying and conducting research internationally, he returned to Northern Michigan and founded the nonprofit The New People Foundation, which focuses on environmental stewardship and community resilience. Distin says his campaign is centered on reducing the influence of money in politics, strengthening local communities, supporting science-based policymaking, protecting natural resources, and making government more responsive to everyday residents. He describes his approach as “community-first” and emphasizes practical solutions to issues such as environmental protection, affordable health care, education, and economic opportunity. https://www.mitch4michigan.com/about
      • Republican Candidate
        • John Roth
          • Roth has served as the State Representative for Michigan’s 104th District since 2020.  Before that, he served as the chairman of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party, and a member of the Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Committee.  Roth is a graduate of Northwest Michigan College. A resident of Interlochen, Roth has lived in Grand Traverse County since 1987. He earned an associate degree in marina management from Northwestern Michigan College and has worked in marina operations, golf course maintenance, and the ski industry.  In the Legislature, Roth has focused on issues affecting Northern Michigan, including support for agriculture, small businesses, transportation infrastructure, and health policy. During his current term, he serves on the House Appropriations Committee and chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services. His campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, strengthening local communities, reducing regulatory burdens on businesses, and protecting Northern Michigan’s outdoor economy and quality of life. https://www.rothforrep.com/

• • • STATE SUPREME COURT
      • No candidates announced yet