Michigan Politics Turning Upside Down

No sooner were the final results in from Michigan for the 2024 elections than early maneuvering began for those in '26.

And with two years to go before Michiganders elect a new governor, the signs now show that politics in the Water Winter Wonderland are turning upside down.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan stunned the state by announcing Dec. 4 he was leaving the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent.

In attempting to succeed lame-duck Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by running as neither Democrat nor Republican, Duggan told reporters he made his decision to "go rogue" because "it has gotten harder and harder to address things as the partisan climate has grown more toxic."

Within days of Duggan's announcement, outgoing Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg sent a broad hint he would seek the Democrat nomination for governor in 2026.

Although Buttigieg was born and raised in Indiana and served as mayor of South Bend, he has been a resident and registered voter of Traverse City — hometown of his husband Chasten — since 2022.

Asked in November about a potential bid for governor, Buttigieg said "it's hard to see past Election Day. After that, I'll figure out how to make myself useful. But what I know is I really care about what happens in our state."

Other Democrats considered likely to run for governor regardless of what Buttigieg does include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel.

With Duggan and one of the Democrats in the race, it would seem a Republican would have an excellent chance of capturing the governorship. In November, Republicans took control of the state House of Representatives and should they win the state Senate seat of Rep.-elect Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., the GOP will control that chamber as well.

But Republicans so far appear to have a shortage of candidates for the state's top office. Two-term Rep. John James, R-Mich., the first Black Republican House Member in Michigan history, is widely known from two heartbreakingly close races for the U.S. Senate. How eager James is to wage another sure-to-be-costly statewide campaign is unknown at this time.

State Senate GOP leader Aric Nesbitt is also considered a potential contender. A graduate of Hillsdale College and stalwart conservative, Nesbitt will be "termed out" of office in '26 after two terms in the senate.

For now, however, nothing is certain in Michigan politics.

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.