MICHIGAN

Your complete directory of Michigan candidates for Governor, United State Senator and Congress in the current election cycle ... state political parties ... the official state election office ... and state news sources.

"Politics1 is absolutely spectacular! Thank you so much for your wonderful web site."
- Grace York, Document Center Coordinator, University of Michigan Library

ELECTION CALENDAR: Filing Deadline (Major Parties): April 2026 Filing Deadline (Third Parties/Independents): July 2026 Filing Deadline (Write-Ins for Primary): July 2026 Filing Deadline (Write-Ins): October 2026 State Primary: August 2026

CANDIDATE DIRECTORY LEGEND: Bold = Active Candidate Italics = Potential Candidate * = Incumbent = Winner (Incumbent Party Listed First)

This page was last updated on July 11, 2025

STATE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS:

GOVERNOR:
[ Gretchen Whitmer (D)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Jocelyn Benson (D) - Secretary of State, Ex-Wayne State Univ Law School Dean & Attorney
Garlin Gilchrist (D) - Lt Governor, Ex-Detroit City Official & Ex-Community Organizer
Mark Hackel (D) - Macomb County Executive & Ex-Macomb County Sheriff
Chris Swanson (D) - Genesee County Sheriff
Joe Tate (D) - State Rep., Ex-House Speaker, Ex-NFL Football Playor & Afghan War Veteran
Mike Cox (R) - Ex-Attorney General, USMC Veteran & '10 Candidate
Pete Hoekstra (R) - US Ambassador, Ex-Congressman, State GOP Chair & '10 Candidate
John James (R) - Congressman, Iraq War Veteran & '18/'20 US Sen Nominee
Perry Johnson (R) - Businessman, '22 Candidate & '24 Pres Candidate
Tom Leonard (R) - Ex-State House Speaker, Attorney & '18/'22 Atty Gen Candidate
Jonathan Lindsay (R) - State Sen. & Afghan War Veteran
Peter Meijer (R) - Ex-Congressman, Businessman, Iraq/Afghan War Veteran & '24 US Sen Candidate
Aric Nesbitt (R) - State Senate Minority Leader, Ex-State Lottery Commissioner & Ex-State Rep.
William Null (R) - Construction Contractor, Militia Activist & '24 Orangeville Township Candidate
Kevin Rinke (R) - Businessman, Ex-Auto Dealer & '22 Candidate
Garrett Soldano (R) - Chiropractor & '22 Candidate
Mike Duggan (I) - Detroit Mayor, Ex-Wayne County Prosecutor & Ex-Hospital System CEO

Next State Constitutional Officer Elections in 2026.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR:
[ Garlin Gilchrist (D)* - Candidate for Governor in 2026. ]

SECRETARY OF STATE:
[ Jocelyn Benson (D)* - Candidate for Governor in 2026. ]
Barb Byrum (D) - Ingham County Clerk, Ex-State Rep. & Businesswoman
Aghogho Edevbie (D) - Deputy Sec of State, Attorney & '18 St Rep Candidate
Anthony Forlini (R) - Macomb County Clerk, Ex-State Rep. & Ex-Harrison Township Supervisor 

ATTORNEY GENERAL:
[ Dana Nessel (D)* - Term-Limited in 2026. ]
Karen McDonald (D) - Oakland County Prosecutor
Eli Savit (D) - Washtenaw County Prosecutor
Mark Totten (D) - Ex-US Attorney & '14 Nominee
Kevin Kijewski (R) - Attorney & Ex-Detroit Archdiocese Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Pete Lucido (R) - Macomb County Prosecutor, Ex-State Sen. & Ex-State Rep.

MICHIGAN STATE LEGISLATURE:

State House - ( Republican Caucus - Democratic Caucus )

State Senate - ( Republican Caucus - Democratic Caucus )

U.S. SENATOR:

[ Gary Peters (D)* - Retiring in 2026. ]
Abdul El-Sayd (D) - Ex-Wayne County Health Director, Physician, Epidemiologist & '18 Gov Candidate
Rachel Howard (D) - Research Health Specialist
Mallory McMorrow (D) - State Senate Majority Whip
Dana Nessel (D) - Attorney General
Matt Sahr (D) - State Firefighters Union President
Joe Tate (D) - State Rep., Ex-House Speaker, Ex-NFL Football Playor & Afghan War Veteran
Haley Stevens (D) - Congresswoman & Ex-US Treasury Dept Official
Travis Zollner (D) - Attorney
Tom Barrett (R) - Congressman
Kent Benham (R) - Dentist
Brian Calley (R) - Ex-Lt Governor, Ex-State Rep., Ex-County Commissioner, Banker & '18 Gov Candidate
Frederick Heurtebise (R) - Ex-Dover Township Clerk & Welding Engineer
Bill Huizenga (R) - Congressman & Ex-State Rep.
Jonathan Lindsey (R) - State Sen. & Army Veteran
Sandy Pensler (R) - Venture Capitalist, Ex-Investment Banker, Attorney & Frequent Candidate
Bryan Posthumus (R) - State House Majority Leader, Agribusinessman & Farmer
Mike Rogers (R) - Ex-Congressman, Ex-State Sen., Ex-FBI Agent, Army Veteran & '24 Nominee
Bill Schuette (R) - Ex-Attorney General, Ex-Congressman, Ex-State Sen.& '18 Gov Nominee
Genevieve Scott (R)
Lorenzo Sewell (R) - Pastor
John Tuttle (R) - Technology Executive & Ex-NYSE Vice Chair
Craig Johnson (I) - Businessman, Factory Worker & '28 Pres Candidate
Valerie Willis (I) - Farmer, MAGA Activist & Frequent Candidate

Elissa Slotkin (D)* - (Campaign Site) - Next Election in 2030.

U.S. CONGRESS:

District 1:
Jack Bergman (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Justin Michal (R) - Retired Army Officer
Callie Barr (D) - Attorney, Ex-Teacher & '24 Nominee
Wayne Stiles (D) - Industrial Designer
Andrew Gale (L) - Recycling Executive & '22/'24 Nominee
Liz Hakola (WCP) - Retired Gas Company Manager & Frequent Candidate

District 2:
John Moolenaar (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Ben Ambrose (D)
Jamie Hill (D) - Physician Assistant
Michael Lynch (D) - Marketing Director, Educator, Democratic Activist & '24 Nominee

District 3:
Hillary Scholten (D)* - (Campaign Site)
J. Allen Fiorletta (R) - Attorney
Michael Markey (R) - Financial Advisor, '24 Candidate & '22 Gov Candidate

District 4:
Bill Huizenga (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Richard Aaron (D) - Cybersecurity Professional
Diop Harris (D) - Ex-Congressional Aide & Political Organizer
Sean McCann (D) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Ex-Kalamazoo City Commissioner
Jessica Swartz (D) - Attorney & '24 Nominee

District 5:
Tim Walberg (R)* - (Campaign Site)

District 6:
Debbie Dingell (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Heather Smiley (R) - MAGA Activist & Frequent Candidate
Clyde Shabazz (G) - Podcast Host, Media Producer, Artist & Frequent Candidate
Bill Krebaum (L) - Barber Shop Owner, '24 Candidate & '16 St Rep Candidate

District 7:
Tom Barrett (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Sarah Anthony (D) - State Sen., Ex-State Rep. & Ex-Ingham County Commissioner
Bridget Brink (D) - Ex-US Ambassador to Ukraine & Ex-US Ambassador to Slovakia
Josh Cowen (D) - College Professor
Andrew Lennox (D) - Iraq/Afghan War Veteran & Ex-VA Employee
Matt Maasdam (D) - Ex-Navy SEAL, Ex-Obama Military Presidential Aide & Iraq/Afghan War Veteran
Michael Osborn (D) - Retired Autoworker
Muhammad Salman Rais (D) - Physician, '22 St Sen Candidate & '24 Co Comm Candidate
Samuel "Elyon Badger" Smeltzer (D) - Laborer
Alexandra Prieditis (I) - Advertising Art Director & Progressive Activist

District 8:
Kristen McDonald Rivet (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Paul Junge (R) - Ex-USCIS Official, Ex-TV News Anchor, Attorney & Frequent Candidate

District 9:
Lisa McClain (R)* - (Campaign Site)
Daltson Atwell (R) - Landscaping Contractor
Wyatt Clark (D) - Correctional Officer & Ex-Restaurant Worker
Jasen Cartwright (I) - IT Technician

District 10:
[ John James (R)* - Candidate for Governor in 2026. ]
Joe Aragona (R) - State Rep.
Casey Armitage (R) - GOP Field Organizer & Gun Rights Activist
Mike Bishop (R) - Ex-Congressman
Mike Bouchard (R) - Oakland County Sheriff
Pete Lucido (R) - Macomb County Prosecutor, Ex-State Sen. & Ex-State Rep.
Robert Lulgjuraj (R) - Attorney
Candice Miller (R) - Macomb County Drain Commissioner & Ex-Congresswoman
Rocky Raczkowski (R) - Ex-State Rep., Attorney, Army Veteran, '10 Nominee & '02 US Sen Nominee
Paul Shamo (R) - Auto Dealer
Rick Stathakis (R) - Shelby Township Supervisor
Michael Webber (R) - State Sen.
Tripp Adams (D) - Businessman, Army Reserve Officer, Attorney & Navy Veteran
Emily Busch (D) - Sales Manager, Gun Control Activist, '24 Candidate & '22 St Rep Nominee
Eric Chung (D) - Ex-US Commerce Dept Official & Attorney
Tim Greimel (D) - Pontiac Mayor, Ex-State House Minority Leader, Attorney & '18 Candidate
Mark Hackel (D) - Macomb County Executive
Alex Hawkins (D) - Ex-Congressional Aide, Army Reserve Officer & '24 St Rep Candidate
Christina Hines (D) - Attorney & '24 Macomb County Prosecutor Nominee
Brian Jaye (D) - Attorney, Progressive Activist & Frequent Candidate
Veronica Klinefelt (D) - State Sen, Ex-Macomb County Commissioner & Ex-Eastpointe City Councilwoman
Stacy Ziarko (D) - Macomb Chamber of Commerce Official

District 11:
[ Haley Stevens (D)* - Candidate for US Senate in 2026. ]
Rosemary Bayer (D) - State Sen. & Computer Engineer
Dave Coulter (D) - Oakland County Executive, Ex-County Commissioner & Ex-Ferndale Mayor
Tim Greimel (D) - Pontiac Mayor, Ex-State House Minority Leader, Attorney & '18 Candidate
Andy Levin (D) - Ex-Congressman, Attorney & Ex-Union Organizer
Jeremy Moss (D) - State Senate President Pro Tem, Ex-State Rep. & Ex-Southfield City Councilman
Dave Woodward (D) - Oakland County Commission Chair
Dave Trott (I) - Ex-Congressman, Attorney & Ex-Republican

District 12:
Rashida Tlaib (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Allen Downer (D) - Accounting Specialist & '24 County Comm Candidate
Steven Elliott (R) - Businessman, USMC Veteran & '24 Candidate
James Hooper (R) - Tradesman, GOP Activist & Frequent Candidate
Linda Sawyer (R) - Retired Nurse, Paramedic, GOP Activist & '24 Candidate
Brenda Sanders (G) - Ex-District Judge, Attorney, '24 Candidate & '22 St Sen Candidate
Gary Walkowicz (WCP) - Retired Autoworker, Militant Labor Activist & Frequent Candidate

District 13:
Shri Thanedar (D)* - (Campaign Site)
Ian Conyers (D) - Ex-State Sen. & '18 Candidate
Adam Hollier (D) - Ex-State Sen., Urban Planner, Army Reserve Officer & '24 Candidate
Donavan McKinney (D) - State Rep. & Political Organizer
Mary Waters (D) - Detroit City councilwoman & '24 Candidate
Andrew Lorenz (R) - USMC Veteran
Chris Dardzinski (USTP) -  Ex-Lincoln Park City Councilman, Businessman & '22/'24 Nominee
D. Etta Wilcoxon (G) - Attorney, Ex-College Professor & Frequent Candidate

STATE POLITICAL PARTIES:

Michigan Democratic Party (D)
Michigan Green Party (G)
Libertarian Party of Michigan (L)
Natural Law Party of Michigan (NL)
Michigan Republican Party (R)
Socialist Party of Michigan (S)
US Taxpayers Party of Michigan (USTP)
Working Class Party (WCP)
Independent (I)
Write-In (WI)

STATE ELECTION OFFICE:

Secretary of State's Office

STATE NEWS SOURCES:

Alpena News
Ann Arbor Independent (Alternative)
Ann Arbor News
Ann Arbor Observer
Battle Creek Enquirer
Benton Spirit
Berrien County Record
Bridge Michigan
Cadillac News
Cheboygan News
Coldwater Daily Reporter
Dearborn Arab-American News
Dearborn Press & Guide
Dearborn Times-Herald
Axios Detroit
Detroit Catholic
Chalkbeat: Detroit
Deadline Detroit
Detroit Free Press
Detroit Jewish News
Detroit Metro Times (Alternative)
Detroit News
Outlier Media Detroit
Dundee Independent
Escanaba Daily Press
Fenton Times
Flint Beat
Flint Courier News
Flint Journal
Gongwer News Service
Gladwin County Record & Clarion
Grand Rapids Press / Muskegon Chronicle
Grand Rapids Rapidian
Grand Rapids Times (African American)



Hillsdale Daily News
Holland Sentinel
Houghton Daily Mining Gazette
Huron Daily Tribune
Ionia Sentinel-Standard
Ironwood Daily Globe
Jackson Citizen-Patriot
Kalamazoo Gazette
Kalamazoo Times
Lansing State Journal
Lapeer County Press
Latino Detroit (Spanish)
Lenawee Daily Telegram
Livingston County Daily Press & Argus
Ludington Daily News
Macomb Daily
Marquette Mining Journal
Michigan Advance
Michigan Chronicle (African American)
Michigan Daily (University of Michigan)
Michigan Votes (Mackinac Center for Public Policy)
Midland Daily News
MLive.com Advance Local Media
Monroe News
Niles Daily Star
Oakland Press
Observer & Eccentric Newspapers (Wayne/Oakland Counties)
Petoskey News-Review
Pride Source / Between the Lines (LGBT)
Revie West Michigan (Alternative)
Sault News
Southgate News-Herald
Southwest Michigan Herald-Palladium
State News (Michigan State University)
Traverse City Record-Eagle

WJBK TV-2 (FOX - Detroit)
WDIV TV-4 (NBC - Detroit)
WXYZ TV-7 (ABC - Detroit)
WTVS TV-56 Public Television (PBS - Detroit)
WWJ TV-62 (CBS - Detroit)
WLNS TV-6 (CBS - Lansing)
WJMN TV-3 (CBS - Marquette)
WLUC TV-6 (NBC / FOX - Marquette)
WNEM TV-5 (CBS - Flint / Saginaw / Midland / Bay City)
WOOD TV-8 (NBC - Grand Rapids)
WOOD NewsRadio 1300 AM (Grand Rapids)
Michigan Public Radio (NPR)