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      Data: MIT Election Lab, VEST, Census Bureau
      Home/Elections/2026/Governor/Michigan
      2026 ForecastLean D
      2026·Governor·Michigan

      Michigan Governor

      Open Seat

      Gretchen Whitmer (D) retiring

      Race Analysis

      An independent candidate makes it quite interesting, but the environment is too strong — Lean D.

      Updated 2026-02-18

      Candidates & Primaries

      Democratic Candidates

      TBDDDeclared

      Whitmer term-limited; Dem primary ongoing

      Republican Candidates

      TBDRDeclared

      GOP challenger expected

      State Demographics

      Michigan vs. National · Pop. 10.1M

      White (non-Hispanic)72.4%
      National: 57.4%
      Black13.3%
      National: 12.2%
      Hispanic/Latino5.9%
      National: 19.3%
      Asian3.4%
      National: 6.0%
      College Degree32.6%
      National: 35.6%
      Median Income$74,099
      National: $83,960
      Median Age40.3
      National: 39.1

      Seat History

      Governor in Michigan

      2022
      Gretchen WhitmerDEM
      D+10.5
      2018
      Gretchen WhitmerDEM
      D+9.6
      2014
      Rick SnyderREP
      R+4.1
      2010
      Rick SnyderREP
      R+18.2
      2006
      Jennifer M. GranholmDEM
      D+14.1
      2002
      Jennifer M. GranholmDEM
      D+4.0
      1998
      John EnglerREP
      R+24.4
      1994
      John EnglerREP
      R+23.0
      1990
      John EnglerREP
      R+0.7
      1986
      James J BlanchardDEM
      D+36.7
      1982
      James J BlanchardDEM
      D+6.3
      1978
      William G. MillikenREP
      R+13.6
      1974
      William G. MillikenREP
      R+4.3
      1970
      William G. MillikenREP
      R+1.7
      1966
      George W. RomneyREP
      R+21.4
      View all Governor history for Michigan →

      Also in Michigan, 2026

      U.S. Senate
      Lean D      ← 2026 Forecast Overview
      ← 2026 Forecast OverviewMichigan profileAll elections