Michigan
Here’s a look at the candidates in Michigan’s governor race so far
DETROIT – Some high-profile names have already launched their campaigns in the race for Michigan’s governor in 2026.
Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer has reached her term limits and is ineligible to run again.
Here’s a look at the candidates running for Whitmer’s position as of Feb. 7, 2025:
Jocelyn Benson (D)
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson threw her hat in the ring for the state’s governor race in mid-January.
Benson was elected as Michigan’s Secretary of State in 2018. During her time in this role, she improved the customer service operations of the Secretary of State’s Office by doubling the number of services available online, installing more than 100 self-service stations across the state, and launching mobile offices to bring services to residents who couldn’t easily reach offices or access the internet, according to the department’s website.
In an interview with Local 4’s Jason Colthorp on Jan. 22, 2025, she said she decided to run for governor to improve the education system in the state.
She was the first candidate in the 2026 gubernatorial race to run as a Democrat.
Read more –> Why Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State, is running for governor
Chris Swanson (D)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson recently announced his bid for governor as a Democratic candidate.
Elected in 2019, he helped create the Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) in 2019, when he was first appointed sheriff, aiming to arrest criminals involved in human trafficking and sexual assault.
In September 2020, he also helped create Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education (IGNITE), which is a program that helps inmates find full-time employment once released and helps improve reading, comprehension, and math skills while they are in jail.
He gained national attention in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd when he joined a group of Black Lives Matter protesters in a march in Flint.
Read more –> Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor
Aric Nesbitt (R)
Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt announced in early January his bid for governor.
He was elected to serve as a state senator in 2018. He currently serves Michigan’s 20th Senate District, which represents portions of Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan and Kent counties.
According to his campaign website, he aims to “Make Michigan Great Once Again” as governor and claims a conservative leadership is needed to restore the state’s government that puts Michigan families and workers first.
The Lawton native earned his economics degree from Hillsdale College and later earned his master’s in international business.
As of February 2025, he is the only candidate running in the Republican Party for Michigan’s governor so far.
Read more –> Michigan Senate Republican Leader Nesbitt launches run for governor
Mike Duggan (I)
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan entered the governor’s race as an Independent.
“I’m not running to be the Democrats’ governor or the Republicans’ governor; I’m running to be your governor,” Duggan said in his announcement in December 2024.
The once-Democrat is credited by many for leading Detroit out of bankruptcy into a thriving city.
He was elected as mayor back in 2013 while running a write-in campaign due to a ballot challenge.
Since Duggan was in office, violent crime decreased, and Detroit’s population increased slightly in 2023. That was the first uptick in population since the 1950s.
He was the first candidate to announce his bid for governor in the 2026 race.
Read more –> Behind Mayor Mike Duggan’s decision to break from Democratic party
Michigan’s next gubernatorial election is on Nov. 3, 2026.
Copyright 2025 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
When the Sweet 16 continues on Saturday during the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament, Michigan women’s basketball (27-6) will continue its climb to reach the Final Four for the first time.
The Wolverines, who earned the No. 2 seed in the Fort Worth 3 Region, are playing in the program’s third Sweet 16 under head coach Kim Barnes Arico.
“We committed to Michigan to do this, and we committed to Coach Arico to do it for her and for each other,” Michigan guard Olivia Olson said. “We’re accomplishing the goals we set out to, and we’re not done yet. So we’re going to keep having fun with it and keep preparing.”
Michigan will take on No. 3 Louisville Cardinals (29-7) at 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
“This is my first time going to the Sweet 16, all of our first times, so I think the feeling of, we’re still dancing, we’re still playing basketball, it’s a great feeling,” Louisville guard Taj Roberts said.
The winner from Saturday’s matchup will play in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday, March 30, for the right to advance to the Final Four.
What time is Michigan vs. Louisville?
- Date: Saturday, March 28
- Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dickies Arena (Fort Worth, Texas)
The Michigan Wolverines will play the Louisville Cardinals in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women’s NCAA Tournament at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Michigan vs. Louisville: TV, streaming
The 2026 men’s NCAA Tournament is down to its Sweet 16 and we’ll have a Final Four by Sunday evening. For half of the college stars taking the court this weekend, it’s one final opportuniy to impress NBA teams with their play at full game speed when the lights are brightest as this year’s draft class comes into focus.
The 2026 NBA draft is expected to take place in late June. In USA TODAY’s latest mock draft, Michigan’s Morez Johnson Jr. is expected to go in the first round. Here’s how USA TODAY currently projects the big man’s draft night will play out.
Our draft order is based on ESPN’s projected records and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Morez Johnson Jr. 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 25 overall, Los Angeles Lakers
Kalbrosky’s Analysis:
Morez Johnson Jr. is one of the best, most underrated two-way players in the NCAA. He is a crucial part of the Michigan identity this season and has thrived since transferring to the Wolverines from Illinois. Johnson’s shooting form at the free throw line looks good, and he scores well near the rim, especially when cutting to the basket. The former FIBA U-19 Team USA standout and All-Big Ten big man is a trustworthy defensive playmaker, too, and should find minutes at the next level.
See USA TODAY’s full mock draft here
Morez Johnson Jr. player profile
(all stats as of March 15)
- Position: Forward-Center
- Current Team: Michigan
- 13.1 points per game
- 7.2 rebounds per game
- 1.1 assists per game
- 62.8% field goal percentage
- 37.9% three-point field goal percentage
Los Angeles Lakers 2026 projected draft picks
A pedestrian was struck and died of her injuries early Friday on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit.
Emergency dispatchers started to get calls about 2:30 a.m. about someone who was walking along the Lodge, and then were notified that the person had been struck by a vehicle, the Michigan State Police reported.
When troopers arrived, they found multiple cars stopped along the freeway, and people standing around a woman who was severely injured.
Detroit EMS pronounced the woman dead at the scene, state police said. She has not yet been identified.
The driver who struck the woman did not stay at the scene.
“Troopers are currently using technology that is available in the area to identify the vehicle involved,” MSP F/Lt. Mike Shaw said.
The Lodge Freeway, also known as M-10, was closed at about 2:46 a.m. Friday between Chicago Boulevard / Hamilton Avenue and Clairmount Street for the investigation and emergency assistance, according to Michigan Department of Transportation reports. The Lodge was reported back open at 6:05 a.m.
Michigan Department of Transportation traffic reports are at the MI Drive site.
State police said their investigation is continuing. Those who witnessed the crash or have other information are asked to call the MSP Metro South Post at 734-287-5000 or Crime Stoppers of Michigan at 800-SPEAK-UP.
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