Governor, U.S. Senate: Key Races To Watch In 2026 Michigan Primary

Michiganders will head to the polls next month to determine who's on the November ballot in some of the biggest statewide races in years.

The primary is Tuesday, Aug. 4, followed by the general election on Nov. 3.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Find your polling place at mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index.

Mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Any registered voter can choose to vote by mail or drop box without needing an excuse.

Michigan communities began allowing in-person voting starting July 25. You can check when and where you can vote in your city or township at the Michigan Voter Information Center.

You don't need to be registered with a party to vote. On primary day, you simply choose which party's ballot you want. You can only vote in one party's primary.

Here are the key races to watch in Michigan:

Governor

Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again after serving two terms.

The Democratic primary includes Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

State Of The Race: Democrats Line Up Behind Benson, Republicans Face Off In Brutal Two-Way Primary

Benson has centered her campaign on cutting essential costs for families, such as health care, prescription drugs, auto insurance and housing.

She has cited housing as one of the most enduring challenges that Michigan faces and has put together a plan to help create opportunities for first-time homeowners.

RELATED: Gov Candidate Says Miscarriage Prompted Reproductive Health Focus

Swanson has also talked about cutting costs for families, including proposing a six-month moratorium on utility rate increases. He has also pointed to lowering state costs and targeted tax relief.

The Republican primary includes U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and businessman Perry Johnson.

President Donald Trump endorsed James, saying he has the "courage and wisdom to deliver strong results for the incredible people of his wonderful State, and our Nation."

The endorsement forced Republican hopefuls Mike Cox and State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt out of the race, but businessman Johnson remains.

Johnson said he thinks Trump "received bad advice," noting James has come up short in two previous statewide races.

RELATED: ‘Trump Loyalty' Ad War Exposes A New Vulnerability For John James In Michigan Gubernatorial Hunt

James and Johnson largely agree on cutting taxes, with James planning to slash the income tax while Johnson wants to eliminate it completely.

James believes stronger economic growth, fewer regulations, and eliminating government waste would eventually reduce the state’s reliance on income tax revenue

Johnson has centered his campaign on eliminating the state income tax, which provides roughly 4 percent of discretionary funding for the general fund and School Aid Fund.

He pointed to some kind of a statewide efficiency audit to help make up the shortfall.

U.S. Senate

Democratic Sen. Gary Peters chose not to seek reelection in 2026. He was first elected in 2014.

For the Democrats, former executive director of the Detroit Health Department Abdul El-Sayed and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens are running for the seat.

RELATED: Democrats Stevens And El-Sayed Clash Over Israel And Campaign Money In Tense Michigan Senate Primary Debate

On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is running unopposed for the seat. He lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin in the state's 2024 U.S. Senate race by just 19,000 votes.

The Democratic primary race will be watched across the country, as it pits a moderate candidate against a progressive.

Stevens has earned the backing of Peters, while El-Sayed has support from key progressive figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Stevens has long positioned herself as a champion in the U.S. auto and manufacturing industry, often citing her work on the U.S. Treasury's auto task force following the 2008 financial crisis as President Barack Obama's administration bailed out General Motors and Chrysler.

She also voted in support of the CHIPS and Science Act, which is a historic federal investment in semiconductor chips, science, and technological competitiveness to bring manufacturing back to the United States.

Stevens has long been an outspoken supporter of Israel and has described herself as a "proud pro-Israel Democrat."

El-Sayed has called for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a vocal critic of Israel amid its war with Hamas — even characterizing Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" against Palestinians.

If elected through November, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim U.S. senator.

Democrat progressive Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the race. She has not endorsed either El-Sayed or Stevens but said she vowed that whoever wins the Aug. 4 primary will have her “full support” against Rogers.

A recent Detroit News/WDIV poll found Stevens had a seven-point lead in the race.

U.S. House Congressional District 10

U.S. Representative Democrat John James is not seeking re-election, as he has opted to run for governor.

The district includes southern Macomb County and part of Rochester Hills.

Three Democrats are seeking the seat, including Eric Chung, former Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel and attorney Christina Hines.

All three candidates have cited affordability as a top concern, specifically attacking President Trump's tariffs, which they believe harm the district's manufacturing sector.

The candidates, however, do not outright oppose tariffs.

The candidates also pointed to rising costs in health care, which they all have pledged to expand and make more affordable.

The three Republican candidates include Michael Bouchard, Steffan Demetropoulos and attorney Justin Kirk.

All three candidates have cited strengthening U.S. national security (Bouchard and Demetropoulos are veterans).

Bouchard listed his top priorities that include adding manufacturing jobs in the district and backing the "Parents’ Bill of Rights," which he says will give moms and dads a say in what their kids are being taught in schools.

Demetropoulos has labeled affordability and government transparency as top priorities, while Kirk says he is poised to grow Michigan's leadership in the automotive and manufacturing sectors.

U.S. House Congressional District 11

U.S. Representative Democrat Haley Stevens is not seeking re-election, as she has opted to challenge for the state's Senate seat.

The district includes most of Oakland County, including major cities Auburn Hills, Ferndale, Pontiac, Royal Oak, Troy, West Bloomfield Township and Wixom.

Four Democrats are seeking the seat, including Attorney Aisha Farooqi, State Sen. Jeremy Moss, court administrator John Paul Torres and engineer Don Ufford.

All four candidates have cited affordability and health care as top issues, with Farooqi and Torres standing firm in the belief for Medicare for all.

The candidates also cite immigration issues and holding ICE accountable. All four candidates have signaled support to dismantle and abolish ICE.

Only one Republican, Troy Mayor Ethan Baker, is running for the Republican nomination.

Baker has cited his top issues as mental and physical health, cost of living, jobs, the economy and infrastructure.

"It's not only about being able to talk to each other again; it's about electing representatives who will lead by example. Leaders who are willing to work through differences, solve the challenges we face, and bring that same tone of respect and dignity to Congress, and then back home to the district," Baker said in a statement posted on social media.

U.S. House Congressional District 13

U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar is seeking reelection to represent the district, which serves Detroit and multiple downriver communities.

Thanedar serves as the ranking member of the House Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability.

Thanedar has cited his top priorities as lowering costs, protecting voting rights and fight for cleaner water and stronger infrastructure.

House Democratic Leaders Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete all endorsed Thanedar.

He was first elected to Congress in 2022 when he defeated Bivings for the seat in 2022. That became the first time a district covering most of Detroit was without Black representation in Congress since 1955.

Thanedar won re-election in 2024 when he defeated Bivings again. But now some analysts believe the August primary may be the toughest test, as state Rep. Donavan McKinney seeks the seat.

RELATED: Detroit Dems Again Looking To Unseat One Of Their Own In Congress

McKinney, a two-term state lawmaker from Detroit, has positioned himself as a progressive alternative to Thanedar.

McKinney has focused on voting rights, campaign finance and assistance for working families.

He has earned the endorsement from Pennsylvania's U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who is seen as a prominent progressive.