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Here’s a look at the candidates in Michigan’s governor race so far

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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)

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 11: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks during a House Administration Committee hearing in the Longworth House Office Building at the U.S. Capitol on September 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. The hearing examined “American Confidence in Elections” while looking forward to the 2024 Presidential Election in just under two months. (Photo by Bonnie Cash/Getty Images) (2024 Getty Images)

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson threw her hat in the ring for the state’s governor race in mid-January.

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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 talks in the detectives office, Jan. 28, 2025 in Flint, Mich. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson recently announced his bid for governor as a Democratic candidate.

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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 state Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton speaks at a then-Republican presidential candidate President Donald Trump campaign event in Freeland, Mich., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt announced in early January his bid for governor.

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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

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Mike Duggan (I)

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is interviewed, Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

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.

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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.



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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with $280K

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Dollar General grants fund Michigan literacy programs with 0K


Michigan schools, libraries and nonprofit groups are set to receive more than $280,000 in literacy funding, according to a community announcement issued by Dollar General Literacy Foundation. The money is intended to support reading and education programs across the state.

The grants are part of a nationwide single-day award total of nearly $16 million. The funding supports adult, family and summer literacy programs in the 48 states where Dollar General operates.

In Michigan, the grants are expected to affect more than 9,600 people, according to the announcement.

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The grants are for nonprofit organizations, libraries and schools. According to the announcement, eligible groups must be within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center.

The money may be used for new technology, books, materials or software. The grants can help groups start literacy programs or expand existing ones.

Several Michigan organizations received grants of $10,000, the highest amount. Those recipients included:

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  • Adrian Rea Literacy Center in Adrian
  • Arab Community Center For Economic And Social Services (Access) in Dearborn
  • Literacy Center Of West Michigan in Grand Rapids
  • Houghton Lake Community Education in Houghton Lake
  • Livingston County Literacy Coalition in Howell
  • Goodwill Industries Of Southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo
  • Kalamazoo Literacy Council in Kalamazoo
  • Capital Area Literacy Coalition / The Reading People in Lansing
  • The Global Institute Of Lansing
  • Van Buren Intermediate School District in Lawrence
  • Reading Patch Literacy Foundation Inc. in Niles
  • Grace Centers Of Hope in Pontiac
  • Oakland Literacy Council in Pontiac
  • Literacy And Beyond Inc. in Port Huron
  • Gigi’S Playhouse — Detroit LLC in Southfield
  • Southgate Community Schools in Southgate

Other larger grants included $9,999 for Wayne State University in Detroit, $9,500 for Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency in Tawas City and $8,500 for Plymouth-Canton Community Literacy Council in Plymouth.

The recipient list also included many grants of $3,000. Those went to:

  • Allendale Public Schools
  • Boys And Girls Club Of Alpena
  • Cedar Springs Public Library
  • Clinton Community Schools
  • Coloma Public Library
  • Mason County Eastern Elementary in Custer
  • North Dickinson County School in Felch
  • Wilson School Parent Advisory Committee in Herron
  • Hillman Community Schools
  • Ida Public Schools
  • Lawton Public Library
  • Luther Area Public Library
  • Saginaw African Cultural Festival Inc.
  • Sebewaing Township Library
  • Tekonsha Community Schools
  • Columbia Township Library in Unionville
  • Wakefield Public Library
  • Whitmore Lake Public Schools

Other awards listed were $2,000 for Taymouth Township Library in Burt; $2,100 for Clinton-Macomb Public Library in Clinton Township; and $2,500 for Friends Of Cadillac Wexfod Public Library in Cadillac, Teamer Dreams Foundation in Eastpointe, Michigan Adult, Community & Alternative Education Association in Lansing and Palomino Hope Equine Experience in Tawas City.

The list also showed a $1,000 grant for Townline Elementary in Grand Rapids and a $4,500 grant for D House Of Angels in Pontiac.

Also receiving grants were Houghton Lake Community Education and Reading Patch Literacy Foundation in Niles.

A full list of grant recipients is available at dgliteracy.org.

“Since the foundation’s inception in 1993, our focus has remained on making meaningful investments in students, teachers and the organizations that support literacy and learning at every stage of life,” Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, said in the announcement. “These funds will help educators enhance their instruction and create opportunities that help empower students to reach their full potential.”

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This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct/.



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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night

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Michigan groom sentenced for killing his best friend on his wedding night


FLINT, Mich. (AP) — A man in Michigan who got married and then ran over his best friend that same day, killing him, after an alcohol-fueled argument was sentenced Monday to least 30 years in prison.

“The only thing I can do for the rest of my life is express my apology and remorse. … I will forever be sorry,” James Shirah said in Genesee County court.

Shirah, 24, was driving when his vehicle struck Terry Taylor Jr. in Flint, about an hour’s drive northwest of Detroit, on Aug. 30, 2024. He and Savanah Collier were married earlier that day and the celebration had moved to a house.

James Shirah is sentenced to at least 30 years in prison during a hearing, Monday, May 11, 2026 in Flint, Mich. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)

Shirah’s attorney had argued that the crash was not intentional. Prosecutors, however, said Shirah had left the scene and had time to reflect before returning and striking Taylor, MLive.com reported.

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“Mr. Shirah, I believe that you are not a criminal. You are, however, a killer,” Judge Khary Hanible said.

In April, Shirah pleaded no contest to second-degree murder and other offenses. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years.

“I hope that they throw the book at you,” Taylor’s cousin, Eren Taylor, said before Shirah received his sentence.

Shirah’s wife will be sentenced later in May for being an accessory.

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors

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SW Michigan show returns as growing destination for vinyl collectors


BENTON HARBOR — Vinyl collectors and music fans are invited to dig through thousands of records and music collectibles at the Southwest Michigan Record Show.

The event is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 16 at Grand Upton Hall inside Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor, according to a press release.

Now in its fourth season, the show features 25 vendors from five states, offering 70 tables filled with vinyl records, CDs, cassettes, record supplies and music memorabilia.

Free admission begins at 10 a.m.

General admission is free starting at 10 a.m., while early entry is available at 8:30 a.m. for $5. Door prize drawings are planned for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., including $25 shopping certificates and record supplies from BCW Supplies. The first 75 attendees will receive free tote bags.

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A food truck will be on site, and cash is preferred for purchases. Some vendors may accept cards, PayPal, Venmo and other payment methods, but there is no ATM on site.

Vendors from across the Midwest and beyond

The show is expected to feature a wide selection of music genres, including classic rock, pop, ’80s, metal, punk, jazz, blues, R&B, country and soundtracks.

“This show is still being discovered, and that’s part of what makes it exciting,” event organizer Jeremy D. Bonfiglio said in the release. “We’ve built a strong group of experienced vendors, so whether you’re just getting into vinyl or digging for something rare, there’s a real opportunity here to find something unexpected.”

Free parking is available near the entrance of Mendel Center, 2755 Napier Ave.

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Future dates planned

The Southwest Michigan Record Show is also scheduled to return Sept. 19.

For more information, visit southwestmichiganrecordshow.com or follow the event on Facebook.

This story was created by reporter Cheryl Morey, with the assistance of artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing.



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