# MI-Gov — 2026 Michigan Governor's Race > [!note] Stub > This is a short entry that hasn't been fully written yet. The seat is open because Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Democrat **[[Jocelyn Benson]]**, Michigan's secretary of state, faces Republican Rep. **[[John James]]**. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who had been running as an independent, is listed by Ballotpedia as withdrawn. Green, Libertarian and U.S. Taxpayers Party candidates are also on the ballot. **Ratings:** Cook Political Report and Inside Elections rated it Lean Democratic; Sabato's Crystal Ball, Likely Democratic. The Associated Press lists Michigan among the swing-state seats Republicans are targeting. ## Result > [!success] Called: Jocelyn Benson (D) wins > Decision Desk HQ projected on election night, November 3, 2026, that Democrat [[Jocelyn Benson]] defeated Republican Rep. [[John James]], keeping the governor's office in Democratic hands. Vote totals are unofficial until Michigan certifies the result. Sources: [NewsNation (Decision Desk HQ results)](https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/2026-midterm-elections/midterm-election-day-2026-live-results/) · [The Hill](https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/6185520-benson-wins-michigan-governor-election/). Live coverage: [[2026 Midterms Live - Election Results War Room]]. ## Sources - [Ballotpedia: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2026](https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_gubernatorial_election,_2026) - [NPR: the 36 races for governor](https://apps.npr.org/primary-election-results-2026/governors.html) - [Associated Press via PBS NewsHour: Democrats try to take majority of governors' offices (Nov. 3, 2026)](https://pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-try-to-take-majority-of-governors-offices-for-first-time-in-two-decades) ## Connections - [[2026 Governor Races Hub]] - [[2026 Midterms Live - Election Results War Room]]