State

Governor

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 5
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Governor leads Michigan's executive branch, proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills passed by the Legislature, and appoints state department heads and judges to fill vacancies.

Candidates Compare by issue

Jocelyn Benson

Democratic

Running mate: Winnie Brinks

Michigan Secretary of State

The gist

Proposes easing construction rules and incentives for starter homes
Proposes a $5,000 caregiver tax credit and medical billing transparency
Proposes a state Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Proposes expanding the Rx Kids program statewide
Pledges a data center moratorium until rules are set
Pledges to refuse energy company and corporate PAC contributions
Supports clean energy investment to lower utility bills

More about Jocelyn

View sources (5)

Proposes easing construction rules and incentives for starter homes
Affordability
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“increase housing availability and affordability by streamlining regulations that slow down construction, incentivizing development of starter homes and affordable units”
Proposes a $5,000 caregiver tax credit and medical billing transparency
Affordability
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“lower healthcare costs by increasing transparency in medical billing, passing a $5,000 caregiver tax credit”
Proposes a state Prescription Drug Affordability Board
Healthcare
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“an independent Prescription Drug Affordability Board with the authority to review manufacturing practices and approve price increases”
Proposes expanding the Rx Kids program statewide
Affordability
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“make childcare more accessible and affordable by bringing Rx Kids statewide and removing barriers that prevent qualified providers from opening their doors”
Pledges a data center moratorium until rules are set
Data Centers
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“As Governor, I will put a moratorium on data centers. No data centers will be built in Michigan unless there are rules in place”
Pledges to refuse energy company and corporate PAC contributions
Energy Costs
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“as a candidate for governor I will not take campaign contributions from energy companies and other corporate PACs”
Supports clean energy investment to lower utility bills
Environment
Campaign website · Jocelyn Benson for Governor · jocelynbenson.com
“Clean, renewable energy is the cheapest form of energy. When we invest in clean energy, we lower utility bills.”

John James

Republican

Running mate: Jay DeBoyer

U.S. Representative, Michigan's 10th District

The gist

Proposes eliminating the state income tax
Proposes an audit of ten years of state spending
Supports ending the governor's and Legislature's FOIA exemption
Proposes legislative approval to extend emergency orders past 14 days
Pledges to opt Michigan into the federal scholarship tax credit
Supports limiting girls' school sports to students born female
Supports requiring parental consent for minors' medical treatment

More about John

View sources (1)

Proposes eliminating the state income tax
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“We are eliminating the state income tax. Not someday. Not maybe. We are doing it.”
Proposes an audit of ten years of state spending
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“Conduct a comprehensive audit of all state government expenditures for the past ten years”
Supports ending the governor's and Legislature's FOIA exemption
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“open the records of the Governor’s office, the entire executive branch, and the state legislature to public scrutiny”
Proposes legislative approval to extend emergency orders past 14 days
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“Require legislative approval to extend emergency orders beyond 14 days, and implement sunset clauses to prevent unchecked executive authority.”
Pledges to opt Michigan into the federal scholarship tax credit
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“John will opt Michigan into the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit that he fought to pass in Congress.”
Supports limiting girls' school sports to students born female
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“biological males will only be permitted to compete with and against other biological males”
Supports requiring parental consent for minors' medical treatment
Freedom agenda
Campaign website · John James for MI · johnjamesmi.com
“require parental consent for medical treatments for all minor children”

Anthony Hudson

Libertarian

Running mate: Beau Parmenter

Truck driver

The gist

Proposes eliminating property taxes
Proposes eliminating the state income tax
Pledges a two-year moratorium on data centers and solar farms
Supports a part-time Legislature with part-time pay
Supports repealing Michigan's red flag law
Proposes shifting MDOT's budget to county road commissions
Supports replacing no-fault auto insurance with at-fault

More about Anthony

View sources (1)

Proposes eliminating property taxes
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Eliminating property taxes would provide homeowners and businesses with long-term financial relief”
Proposes eliminating the state income tax
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Removing the state income tax would put more money back into the pockets of Michigan families and businesses”
Pledges a two-year moratorium on data centers and solar farms
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“I will repeal PA233, bring back local control. Issue a 2 year statewide moratorium for data centers and solar farms.”
Supports a part-time Legislature with part-time pay
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Switching to a part-time legislature with part-time pay ensures that lawmakers stay connected to the real-world challenges of their communities.”
Supports repealing Michigan's red flag law
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Repealing red flag laws safeguards constitutional rights while ensuring due process for all.”
Proposes shifting MDOT's budget to county road commissions
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Eliminating M.D.O.T. budget and reallocating funds to counties gives local governments the resources and flexibility to repair their own infrastructure.”
Supports replacing no-fault auto insurance with at-fault
Policies
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Anthony Hudson for Governor · electanthonyhudson.com
“Transitioning from no-fault to at-fault auto insurance would lower premiums for Michigan drivers”

Donna Brandenburg

U.S. Taxpayers

Running mate: Robert Donald Cowper II

Businesswoman

The gist

Proposes eliminating property taxes and the state income tax
Proposes a state Department of Government Efficiency
Pledges stricter election integrity measures

More about Donna

View sources (1)

Proposes eliminating property taxes and the state income tax
Candidates: Donna Brandenburg, Governor (candidate background and statement)
Campaign website · U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan · ustpm.org
“put families first by eliminating property taxes and the state income tax”
Proposes a state Department of Government Efficiency
Candidates: Donna Brandenburg, Governor (candidate background and statement)
Campaign website · U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan · ustpm.org
“implementing a true Department of Government Efficiency to slash waste and bureaucracy”
Pledges stricter election integrity measures
Candidates: Donna Brandenburg, Governor (candidate background and statement)
Campaign website · U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan · ustpm.org
“restoring ironclad election integrity so every legal vote counts”

Douglas Campbell

Green

Running mate: Bobbie Clay

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Douglas

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 9 issues covered in this race.