Governor · Michigan

Incumbent: Gretchen Whitmer (Democratic) · Term-limited
General election Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026

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The candidates

Write-ins: Michigan counts write-in votes only for people who file a Declaration of Intent with the proper filing official by 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026 (MCL 168.737a; Michigan Bureau of Elections 2026 election calendar). The state's list of declared write-in candidates is prepared after that deadline, so none are listed here yet.

Jocelyn Benson

0Position changes0 reversals
Democratic

Michigan secretary of state (2019–present).

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: freep.com

John James

0Position changes0 reversals1 unclear
Republican

U.S. representative (2023–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: clickondetroit.com

Donna Brandenburg

U.S. Taxpayers

Businesswoman and U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee for governor in 2022.

Background via Wikipedia race page

Douglas Campbell

Green

Engineer and perennial candidate.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: mi-boe.entellitrak.com

Anthony Hudson

Libertarian

Truck driver and Republican candidate in 2024.

Background via Wikipedia race page · its cited source: miningjournal.net

Candidates checked against the official list: state election office source. Candidate list compiled from the Wikipedia race page and the sources on each profile. Check your official sample ballot before voting.

Where they stand: Benson vs. James

Topic headings are Vote Book’s; quoted words are each candidate’s own, with the source under each one. “As reported” means a news outlet’s description, not an exact quote. A yellow tag means no public position was found on that topic.

Health care
BensonNo public position foundJames

Health care costs

I fought for healthcare price transparency because patients deserve to know the price before the bill arrives. As Governor, I’ll lower costs, increase competition, and give you more control over your care.
Original: x.com/JohnJamesMI/status/2110897047213621357 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
Energy & environment
Benson

Data centers

I’ll put a moratorium on data centers until we have guardrails in place to protect our water, give local communities a voice, secure union jobs, and require data centers to pay for the power they use.
Original: x.com/JocelynBenson/status/2110891317744001066 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
James

Utility rates

As Governor, I’ll replace every MPSC commissioner rubber-stamping these rate hikes
Original: x.com/JohnJamesMI/status/2110829503823909205 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
Jobs, wages & cost of living
Benson

Economic development

The MEDC is broken, but I know how to fix broken systems and make government work better.
Original: x.com/JocelynBenson/status/2110897127014433108 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Everywhere I go in Michigan, I hear stories about the struggles families are enduring as costs continue to skyrocket. Moms are having to choose between whether to eat or pay rent. Seniors are anxious about covering the rising cost of their prescriptions on a fixed income. My affordability agenda details how we can streamline government to provide more support for everyone struggling to make ends meet in this economy, and in my first days in office I will begin putting this plan into motion.
Candidate's own survey answer, via Ballotpedia Candidate Connection

1 more on profile →

JamesNo public position found
Foreign policy
BensonNo public position foundJames

Iran war

we need to end this war quickly because war is terrible and no one likes war.
Quoted by Bridge Michigan, Oct 1, 2026
Background & priorities
Benson

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As governor, lowering costs will be a top priority. Everywhere I go in Michigan, it’s clear that people are struggling to pay for childcare, pay for groceries, and buy a home, as the cost of everything continues to skyrocket and government feels too much like an obstacle. I've run one of our state’s most important agencies, saving residents time, saving them money, making their lives easier. Making government work for you and bringing costs down will always be a priority for a Benson administration. • As we work to bring costs down, raising wages will be equally important. As Secretary of …
Candidate's own survey answer, via Ballotpedia Candidate Connection

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I’ve spent the last 18 months building a broad, statewide coalition to win in November. This growing coalition of state and local leaders, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations supporting my campaign to be Michigan’s next governor includes six major statewide labor unions, over 40 state legislators, and dozens of local leaders, faith leaders, and community organizers across the state, among others. You can find a full list of endorsements here: https://www.jocelynbenson.com/endorsements.
Candidate's own survey answer, via Ballotpedia Candidate Connection
JamesNo public position found
Other priorities
Benson

Early childhood

I will be a governor who invests in free pre-K, expands Rx Kids, and fights for better pay and dignity for our early childhood
Original: x.com/JocelynBenson/status/2111539487830667726 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)

Tribal sovereignty

As governor, I promise to recognize and respect your sovereignty and make sure you have a real seat at the table to solve the most pressing issues impacting your communities every day.
Original: x.com/JocelynBenson/status/2111431515062288623 (accessed Oct 21, 2026)
JamesNo public position found

Other candidates on the ballot

Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers)

Lobbying

The gift ban has loopholes, so I'd make it total: no meals, no travel, nothing.
Original: campaign X account @brandenburg4mi (posted Oct 20, 2026; accessed Oct 20, 2026)

Campaign money

No campaign money from anyone who lobbies the state or holds a state contract.
Original: campaign X account @brandenburg4mi (posted Oct 20, 2026; accessed Oct 20, 2026)

Douglas Campbell (Green)

Education (League of Women Voters of Michigan Voter Guide 2026)

Eliminate the charter system. Fund schools with a statewide budget.

Economy (League of Women Voters of Michigan Voter Guide 2026)

Directly hiring people -- a’la the Green New Deal -- and establishing a Universal Basic Income are the alternatives to automation, job reduction and corporate profiteering.

2 more positions on profile →

Anthony Hudson (Libertarian)

Platform

Anthony is running for Governor to eliminate property and state income taxes, to stop the data center and solar panel invasion of our state and protect our farmland, demand transparency and accountability, and return power to local communities where it belongs.
Original: electanthonyhudson.com (accessed Oct 2026)

Priorities

ELIMINATE PROPERTY TAX · Eliminate State Income Tax · Eliminate Solar & Wind Farms · RETURN LOCAL CONTROL · Make PTO & Sick Time Tax Exempt · LOWER ENERGY COSTS
Original: electanthonyhudson.com (accessed Oct 2026)
Know something we’re missing? Tell us: [email protected]. Please include a link to the source (official site, questionnaire, debate or news report). We add positions only with a source and treat every candidate the same way.

Official voting records

The same nine Senate votes (or three House votes) are shown for every current member of Congress running, so records can be compared across races. Click a roll call for the official tally.

John James: key votes as U.S. Representative

MeasureJames
Laken Riley Act (S. 5) — final House passageYea
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) — House passageYea
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) — final, concur in Senate versionAye

Pulled from official roll-call records · Congress.gov profile & full record.

No congressional voting record for: Jocelyn Benson, Donna Brandenburg, Douglas Campbell, Anthony Hudson. State legislative or local records are not yet compiled.