Race · November 3, 2026
Governor · Michigan
5 candidates on the ballot — an open seat, with no incumbent running.1
§1Candidates
Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.
§2Side by side
Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.
| Fact | Jocelyn Benson | John James | Anthony Hudson | Donna Brandenburg | Douglas Campbell |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party on the ballot | Democratic Party1 | Republican Party1 | Libertarian Party1 | U.S. Taxpayers Party1 | Green Party1 |
| Status | Open seat | Open seat2 | Open seat | Open seat | Open seat |
| Money | Candidates for governor file campaign-finance reports with the state, not the FEC, so this guide doesn't include their fundraising. Search the state's reports: Campaign finance searchable database (start page) — Michigan Department of State, Bureau of Elections.3 | ||||
| Data centers and electricity costs | Pause or limit new data centers Her campaign website says she would put a moratorium on data centers until rules require them to negotiate with communities in the open, bar them from tax breaks and from using up water, and make them pay for their own power.4 | His campaign website says he would require local approval and transparency for data centers, protect ratepayers and Michigan's air, land and water, and favor brownfields over productive farmland.5 | Pause or limit new data centers His campaign website says he would issue a two-year statewide moratorium on data centers and solar farms and repeal PA 233 to restore local control.6 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| State clean electricity targets | Not found in the public sources we checked | Delay, loosen or repeal the targets His campaign website says he would repeal PA 235, which it calls a costly energy mandate, and pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy in which nuclear, natural gas, renewables and other sources compete on cost and reliability.5 | Delay, loosen or repeal the targets His campaign website says he would end renewable energy and electric vehicle mandates, eliminate large solar and wind farms on state land and give local communities the authority to decide on renewable energy projects.6 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| Public health emergency powers and workplace vaccine requirements | Not found in the public sources we checked | Allow emergency measures, but end them after a set time unless lawmakers vote to extend them His campaign website says he would require legislative approval to extend emergency orders beyond 14 days.7 | His campaign website says health decisions, including on vaccines, should be made by informed consent, with no mandates.6 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| Property taxes | Cap yearly increases or expand homeowner exemptions Her housing plan says she would expand the Michigan Homestead Property Tax Credit, raising income limits and benefit levels so more working families, seniors and fixed-income homeowners qualify.8 | Not found in the public sources we checked | Eliminate property taxes on primary homes His campaign website says he would eliminate property taxes.6 | Eliminate property taxes on primary homes Her candidate statement says she would eliminate property taxes.9 | Not found in the public sources we checked |
| State income tax | Not found in the public sources we checked | Phase out the state income tax His campaign website says he would eliminate the state income tax, starting with a one-quarter cut paid for by cutting what it says is at least $3 billion in waste, corporate welfare and fraud, and then phasing the tax out entirely.5 | Phase out the state income tax His campaign website says he would eliminate the state income tax.6 | Phase out the state income tax Her candidate statement says she would eliminate the state income tax.9 | Not found in the public sources we checked |
Issues only one candidate has addressed
By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.
Jocelyn Benson — 5 issues
- State K-12 school fundingIncrease state funding for public schoolsHer education plan says Michigan has underfunded its public schools for nearly three decades and that she would fund schools based on student needs and fix special education funding.10
- Child care costsMake child care free, or cap what families pay at a set share of income (such as 7%), paid for with new public fundingHer campaign website says she would make child care free.11
- Help for first-time homebuyersHer housing plan says she would expand a tax credit for families buying their first home.8
- Large investors buying single-family homesHer housing plan says she would bar private equity firms and institutional investors from buying homes during their first 100 days on the market.8
- Zoning and new housingHer housing plan says she would streamline approvals so builders wait weeks instead of months, and build a statewide housing data system while working voluntarily with local governments.8
John James — 7 issues
- Foreign ownership of farmlandHis campaign website says he voted in Congress to ban foreign governments such as China from buying American farmland.12
- Marijuana lawsMake it legal for adults to buy and useHis campaign website says the state should respect voters' 2018 approval of legal, regulated marijuana, and that he would repeal or sharply reduce the 24% wholesale marijuana tax and crack down on unlicensed sellers.13
- Police fundingHis campaign website says he would fully fund law enforcement.13
- Classroom teaching on race, gender and sexualityState limits on these topics in some or all grades, with notice to parentsHis campaign website says parents should see curricula in advance and have opt-in rights for instruction on controversial subjects, and that he supports legislation to reverse the state board of education's standards on gender identity and sexual orientation.14
- Transgender students in school sportsRequire teams based on sex at birthHis campaign website says athletes born male should compete only with and against other athletes born male, with limited exceptions such as some co-ed and prepubescent recreational leagues.14
- Vouchers and education savings accountsHis campaign website says he would opt Michigan into the new federal scholarship tax credit so parents can use scholarships at the school of their choice, and expand charter school options.14
- Children and social mediaHis campaign website says he would work with the Legislature on a Michigan App Store Accountability Act to keep children from reaching age-restricted material through app stores and give parents more control.14
Anthony Hudson — 2 issues
- Red flag lawsRepeal existing red flag laws and adopt no new onesHis campaign website says he would repeal red flag laws.6
- State and local role in immigration enforcementHis campaign website says he would remove sanctuary cities, deport immigrants in the country illegally and work with the federal government to enforce immigration laws.6
Donna Brandenburg — 1 issue
- State government spendingHer candidate statement says she would set up a state Department of Government Efficiency to cut waste and bureaucracy.9
Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.