LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made her campaign for Michigan governor official Wednesday, kicking off what is already a hotly contested 2026 campaign.
Benson’s campaign is so far light on specifics, but she has said she’ll prioritize reproductive rights, government transparency and investing in new state industries.
“I believe that every leader in this state, no matter what party we affiliate with, should wake up every day trying to figure out how to save our residents time, save them money, and make all of our state agencies work efficiently and effectively for every single person,” Benson said in Lansing Wednesday.
The campaign will be Benson’s fourth for a statewide position. She unsuccessfully ran for secretary of state against Republican Ruth Johnson in 2010.
In 2018, Benson defeated her Republican opponent by about eight points — and in 2022, she expanded her margin of victory to 14 points.
Benson also outran Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2022, bringing in about 35,000 more votes than her Democratic colleague, despite lower participation in the secretary of state race.
Whitmer is in her second term and unable to run for another term.
Still, political analysts say that Benson may be have a tough time sufficiently differentiating herself from Whitmer for voters who may be looking for change.
“That’s the sweet spot for these Democratic candidates in 2026,” said Scott LaDeur, a political science professor with North Central Michigan College. “How can they latch on to the more popular parts of Whitmer legacy, while also positioning themselves as a fresh voice, a new set of eyes, different ideas, and therefore change in the mind of the voters?”
Michigan hasn’t awarded either party more than two consecutive terms since Republican John Engler in 1998. But history also shows that midterm elections generally punish the party currently holding the presidency.
“So which trend is stronger?,” said David Dulio, a political science professor with Oakland University. “Is it the state wants to move away from the party that they’ve had in power for eight years? Or do those midterm effects hamper republicans?”
Last week, Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt announced his campaign for governor, while outgoing Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan — previously a Democrat — announced his independent run last year.
“All the Democratic candidates, whoever they may be, are going to have to wrestle with the independent candidacy of Mayor Duggan, who threatens to split the Democratic vote in 2026,” LaDeur said.
Michigan will also see several other high-profile races in 2026. All of the state House and Senate will be up for reelection, as well as Democratic u.S. Senator Gary Peters.
With Michigan remaining decidedly purple through the 2024 race, voters will see no shortage of political ads and pitches over the next 21 months.
