The top lawmaker is the first Republican to launch a gubernatorial campaign in the race to succeed Whitmer of Michigan
High-profile 2026 governor’s race to succeed term-limited Democrats Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer kicks into gear.
Republican state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced his candidacy on Tuesday, becoming the first major party candidate to launch gubernatorial campaign.
“Michigan deserves much better than what we’re getting now from Lansing,” Nesbitt said in a launch video posted on social media. “I’m going to run a campaign that focuses on Michigan first, putting families first and putting workers first. I’m in the fight.”
Emphasizing his conservative philosophy, Nesbitt emphasized that “I trust families more than government.”
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“I want to go forward and empower the taxpayers instead of the taxpayers here in the state — and that’s part of this Michigan First program where you have to expect a lot more from Lansing and expect that there really is value for money,” he emphasized.
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In addition, Nesbitt, who highlighted his “small-town farm boy” heritage in his video, also pledged to “stand with President Trump to bring back a manufacturing renaissance here in Michigan.”
Nesbit is the first Republican in Michigan jump into a race that is likely to attract a large field.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is term-limited. Whitmer is seen standing for an interview with Fox News Digital on July 25, 2024 in Durham, New Hampshire. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox has formed a committee to explore a run for governor. Other Republicans believed to be considering a run include Rep. John James, former House Speaker Tom Leonard, Oakland County businessman Kevin Rinke, 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon and former gubernatorial and presidential candidate Perry Johnson.
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Democrats considering a run for governor include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Pete Buttigieg, a 2020 presidential candidate who served as transportation secretary in President Biden’s administration for the past four years, and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a Democrat, is running for governor of Michigan in 2026 as an independent candidate. (Getty Images)
Democratic Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recently made headlines when he announced his 2026 gubernatorial campaign as an independent candidate.
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Michigan is a key state in the general election battleground.
President Biden carried the state by a narrow margin in the 2020 election. President-elect Trump narrowly won the state in the November election, but Democrats retained a hotly contested open Senate seat.
