Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks to reporters in Lansing following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address on Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth)
Since election season never truly ends anymore, the political jockeying for 2026 is well underway in Michigan.
Thanks to term limits, the Mitten State will have every executive office open, as well as a U.S. Senate seat, thanks to senior U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) making a surprise retirement announcement last week. Democrats currently hold all offices, but are facing some strong headwinds after President Donald Trump won the state a second time.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan kicked off the festivities by declaring his independent gubernatorial campaign within a month of Trump’s 2024 victory. And while some have scoffed at Hizzoner’s paltry fundraising this period, it seems unwise to count out the man who won a write-in campaign for mayor and has billionaire Dan Gilbert on speed dial.
But enough about former Democrats. Here’s a brief look at a half-dozen current Dems to watch in the 2026 game of musical chairs as the party tries to regain its footing:
Jocelyn Benson
The two-term secretary of state last month made her plans official to try to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, running on a platform of preserving democracy and addressing kitchen-table issues. Benson is easily one of the most well-known elections officials in the country, particularly after the tumultuous 2020 election — and has built-in name ID in Michigan thanks to her moniker being splashed all over secretary of state offices and airports. Will that help her clear most of the field, like now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) was able to do last year while seeking the seat left open by former U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow? That’s the goal.
Aghogho Edevbie
The public may not yet know much about Edevbie, who’s been Benson’s deputy since 2023 and is now running to keep the post in Democrats’ hands. But Democrats toiling in the trenches do, as he gained a reputation for his hard work leading All Voting Is Local during the Proposal 2 of 2022 voting rights campaign (which was successful) and launching his 2018 state House campaign (which wasn’t). Many Michigan Dems are looking for younger leaders to revitalize the party and Edevbie could help bring that to the ticket as the secretary of state nominee.
Pete Buttigieg
Word is that former U.S. Transportation secretary (and relatively new Michigander) Pete Buttigieg is setting his sights on the Senate, not governor in ‘26. After running for president in 2020 (with some help from uber-connected Dem strategist Lis Smith), the former South Bend, Ind., mayor gave up any hopes of a “Parks and Recreation”-inspired career in the ever-reddening Hoosier State. So Buttigieg headed for greener pastures in Traverse City, the hometown of his husband, Chasten. While some pundits think Buttigieg’s carpetbagger status will weigh him down, Republicans have wasted no time already trying to bloody him up.
Mallory McMorrow
The two-term state senator best known for delivering a viral 2022 speech as an LGBTQ+ ally and lugging a giant copy of “Project 2025” on stage at last summer’s Democratic National Convention decided against running for DNC chair. Now she’s been mentioned as a possible contender for both governor and U.S. Senate. To wit, McMorrow has a book coming out this year, “Hate Won’t Win,” a rite of passage for ambitious pols. Although there are reports that McMorrow is more interested in serving in D.C., it should be noted that she also has employed Smith, who presumably wouldn’t want her facing off against Buttigieg in a heated primary.
Garlin Gilchrist
Gilchrist, who’s served as Whitmer’s No. 2 for over six years, is said to be eyeing the U.S. Senate instead of the governor’s mansion in ‘26, as Benson has rolled out big fundraising numbers and endorsements. On an unusual note, the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association — which Gilchrist has twice chaired — committed to spending seven figures backing him in a Senate primary.
Barb Byrum
The Ingham County clerk and former state House member has long been on the radar for higher office, but has passed up opportunities to run for Congress. Why? She seems like a natural to run for secretary of state next year. A longtime champion of women’s and LGBTQ+ rights with deep connections in the party, Byrum would seem hard to beat at a convention.
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