Duggan drops out of governor's race. Who's still running?
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan ended his independent campaign for Michigan governor on May 21, leaving eight candidates still in the race, though Kim Thomas and Ralph Rebandt face potential disqualification for insufficient signatures. The August 4 primary will determine nominees for the November 3 election, with the next governor set to take office in January 2027 after Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s term expires.
Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced his withdrawal from Michigan’s 2026 governor race on May 21, running as an Independent. His departure reduces the field to eight candidates, though two—Kim Thomas of Battle Creek and Ralph Rebandt of Washington—are under scrutiny for failing to submit enough valid petition signatures. The Board of State Canvassers will decide on May 28 whether they qualify for the August 4 primary ballot, where all other major party candidates have already met signature requirements. The remaining candidates include Democrats Jocelyn Benson, Kim Thomas, and Chris Swanson, alongside Republicans John James, Aric Nesbitt, Mike Cox, Ralph Rebandt, and Perry Johnson. Duggan’s exit follows a series of other withdrawals, including Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II (who switched to running for Secretary of State), Marni Sawicki, Kevin Hogan, Tom Leonard, Joyce Gipson, Anthony Hudson, and Karla Wagner. Michigan’s gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with the primary on August 4. To appear on the ballot, candidates must submit at least 15,000 valid signatures, with no filing fee option available. The next governor will succeed term-limited incumbent Gretchen Whitmer, taking office on January 1, 2027. The race remains competitive, with candidates vying to replace Whitmer amid ongoing ballot access challenges.
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