Governor
Michigan
My vote power
Average
Election date
August 4, 2026 · Primary election
How do we calculate my vote power?
What goes into the rating: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. Decisiveness: how likely this race is to be close, based on past results or current analyst ratings, plus the number of candidates.
Representation: Average · 50 out of 100
This district covers a large share of its state, so each vote carries about average weight — like a vote in a statewide race. About 10,077,761 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(10,077,761 ÷ 10,077,761) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50, measured against a statewide vote in MI (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No analyst ratings or past results for this contest yet.
Average representation → My vote power: Average.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information.
About this office
- Signing or vetoing bills that become state law
- Proposing the state budget for schools, roads, and health care
- Picking who leads state agencies
Affects: AI Regulation, Healthcare Affordability, Environment and Public Health,
Candidates
Aric Nesbitt
Did not advanceRepublican · declared
Aric Nesbitt grew up as the middle child on a six-generation family farm in West Michigan and earned an economics degree from Hillsdale College and a master's in international business. Elected in 2010, he served three terms in the state House.
Records: Environment and Public Health 1 for, 4 against, Public Education Quality 5 for, Anti-Corruption 2 for, 1 against,
Christopher Robert Swanson
Did not advanceDemocratic · declared
Christopher Robert Swanson is a Democratic candidate for Governor of Michigan in the August 4, 2026 primary. The Michigan Bureau of Elections official candidate listing shows Swanson filed for Governor as a Democratic candidate on April 17, 2026. His campaign site identifies him as the Sheriff of Genesee County, says he grew up in Grand Blanc, and describes his public-safety and service career as the basis for his gubernatorial campaign.
Records: Public Safety and Crime Control 6 for, Civil Rights 3 for, Social Programs and Welfare 2 for
Jocelyn Benson
AdvancedDemocratic · declared
Jocelyn Benson is Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State and has become one of the nation's most prominent leaders in election administration.
Records: Government Efficiency 12 for, Civil Rights 9 for, Anti-Corruption 6 for,
John James
AdvancedRepublican · declared
John James represents Michigan's 10th Congressional district. He previously served as President of James Group International and CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics, after eight years of active duty as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer.
Records: Social Programs and Welfare 3 for, 2 against, Public Safety and Crime Control 4 for, Civil Rights 3 against,
Mike Cox
Did not advanceRepublican · declared
Mike Cox is the founder of The Mike Cox Law Firm, a former Marine Corps infantryman and a former Michigan Attorney General with 35 years of experience as a trial attorney. Before being elected Attorney General twice, he served as a Wayne County prosecutor.
Records: Civil Rights 1 for, 3 against, Social Programs and Welfare 3 for, Corporate Accountability 2 for,
Perry Johnson
Did not advanceRepublican · declared
Perry Johnson is a self-made businessman and problem solver who has spent decades helping companies succeed, and says he helped save the American auto industry.
Records: Corporate Accountability 1 against
Results
Unofficial until certified by the relevant election authority.
Advanced · Unofficial
Winners: Jocelyn Benson (Democratic), John James (Republican)
Source: mvic.sos.state.mi.us · researched August 7, 2026
Sources: mi-boe.entellitrak.com · michigan.gov