This round of midterm elections has essential races on the local and national scale. Michigan will elect a new governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. Current senator Gary Peters announced his retirement, leaving one U.S. senate seat up for grabs, and elections are being held for state congress, and U.S. House representatives.
Also on the ballot: a Michigan constitutional convention.
The primary to narrow down the candidate pool takes place on Aug. 4, with Election Day falling on Nov. 3.
WDET will continue our Crossing the Lines series, focusing on Highland Park and Northville this election season.
Helpful links
Important dates
Register to vote
Request an absentee ballot
Track absentee ballot
Check voter registration status
Look up polling place
See what’s on your ballot
Election security informationJune 25: Absentee voting begins for the primary
July 6: Early voting for primary begins
Aug. 4: Primary
Nov. 3: General Election
Races to follow
Michigan Governor
Democrat candidates
- Jocelyn Benson
- Kevin Hogan
- Marni Sawicki
- Chris Swanson
- Kim Thomas
Republican candidates
- Mike Cox
- Joyce Gipson
- Anthony Hudson
- John James
- Perry Johnson
- Aric Nesbitt
- Ralph Rebandt
- Evan Space
- Karla Wagner
Independent candidates
- Mike Duggan
Attorney General
Democrat candidate
- Eli Savit
Republican candidate
- Doug Lloyd
Secretary of State
Democrat candidates
- Garlin Gilchrist II
Republican candidates
- Anthony Forlini
US Senator
There is one U.S. Senate seat open for Michigan. Incumbent Gary Peters has decided not to run for re-election.
Abdul El-Sayed (D), Mallory McMorrow (D), Haley Stevens (D), and Mike Rogers (R) are in the running.
US House
WDET is providing coverage for districts 5-7, 9-13. WDET will also provide coverage through the Michigan Public Radio Network of key events and candidates in Congressional Districts 1 – 4, 8.
Democrat candidates:
- Callie Barr
- Kyle Blomquist
- Wayne Stiles
Republican candidates
- Jack Bergman (incumbent)
- Matthew DenOtter
- Justin Michal
Independent candidate
- Zebulon Featherly
Democrat candidates:
- Benjamin Ambrose
- Andrew Ault
- Jamie Hill
- Clyde Welford
Republican candidates:
- John Moolenaar (incumbent)
Democrat candidates:
- Hillary Scholten (incumbent)
Republican candidates:
- Ryan Cushman
- Terri DeBoer
- J. Allen Fiorletta
Democrat candidates:
- Richard Aaron
- Diop Harris
- Sean McCann
Republican candidates:
- Bill Huizenga (incumbent)
- Philip Tanis
Democrat candidate:
- Christian Vukasovich
Republican candidate:
- Tim Walberg (incumbent)
Democrat candidates:
- Debbie Dingell (incumbent)
- Jason Cloutier
Republican candidate
- Heather Smiley
Democrat candidates:
- Elyon Badger
- Bridget Brink
- Josh Cowen
- William Lawrence
- Matt Maasdam
- Alexandra Prieditis
Republican candidate:
- Tom Barrett (incumbent)
Democrat candidate:
- Kristen McDonald Rivet (incumbent)
Republican candidate:
- Amir Hassan
- Al Lemmo
- Thomas J. Smith
Democratic candidates:
- Wyatt Clark
- Ray Pooley
Republican candidates:
- Lisa McClain (incumbent)
Independent candidates:
- Jason Cartwright
- Fernando Valdez
Democrat candidates:
- Tripp Adams
- Eric Chung
- Tim Greimel
- Christina Hines
- Brian Steven Jaye
Republican candidates:
- John James (incumbent)
- Casey Armitage
- Michael Bouchard
- Steffan Demetropoulos
- Steven Elliot
- Cody Ingram
- Justin Kirk
- Robert Lulgjuraj
Democrat candidates:
- Stu Baker
- Aisha Farooqi
- Jeremy Moss
- Michelle Murphy
- John Paul Torres
- Don Ufford
Republican candidates:
- Ethan Baker
- Anthony Paesano
- Michael Steger
Democratic candidates:
- Rashina Tlaib (incumbent)
- Allen Downer
- Shanelle Jackson
- Byron Nolen
Republican candidate:
- James Hooper
Democrat candidates:
- Shri Thanedar (incumbent)
- Shelby Campbell
- Anthony Carbonaro
- John Goci
- Naz Hassan
- Donavan McKinney
- Mary Waters
Republican candidates:
- Martell Bivings
- Articia Bomer
- Raphiel King
- Andrew Lorenz
- Taras Nykoriak
Independent candidate:
- Maurice Morton
Ballot measures
Michiganders will vote on whether or not to hold a constitutional convention in 2026.
Election news by WDET
Longtime Democrat turned independent governor candidate Mike Duggan says voters deserve a ‘third choice’
Duggan discusses his independent run for governor, why he says Michigan is losing young people, and why voters may be ready for a third choice.
The Metro: Substance versus social media. Why Tom Leonard dropped out of Michigan’s governor’s race
Former House Speaker Tom Leonard dropped out of the race for Michigan’s next governor despite having a strong campaign. He speaks to The Metro’s Robyn Vincent about leaving the race and the atmosphere of politics today.
Democrats ‘ready to work’ to regain trust of working class
Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel goes over the events of the recent nominating convention in Detroit, as well as how he envisions the future of the party.
Detroit Evening Report: City Council Member Mary Waters enters race for 13th congressional district
Yesterday was the deadline for candidates to file in time for the August primary. Also in today’s Detroit Evening Report, the Leland House is up for auction, EGLE holds a meeting on Detroit’s air quality status and more.
Some Michigan Dems look for inspiration at endorsement convention, others want to change the system
Party leadership said the convention hit record numbers, and nearly every candidate backed by the party’s progressive wing won their endorsement races.
The Metro: On the ballot, under the radar. How to be an informed voter this election season
Why is it so hard to find information on local candidates? And, how can you fill that information gap this election season? Josh Altic from Ballotpedia joins The Metro to explain how the “digital encyclopedia of American politics” does it.
GOP governor candidate Tom Leonard says Michigan needs a Detroit Lions-esque turnaround
Namely, Leonard points to Coach Dan Campbell’s ability to create a plan for the future instead of harking on past failures.
Influencer Hasan Piker gives Michigan’s US Senate race some heat
Streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker joined U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed on campaign stops to the University of Michigan and Michigan State. Piker’s presence brought out a lot of young voters—and stirred up some controversy.
GOP governor candidate Mike Cox says Michigan must improve education, cut taxes and retain more residents
Republican Mike Cox is campaigning to be the next governor of Michigan. He spoke to WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter about his plans to improve Michigan’s education and economy.
State Rep. Donavan McKinney talks issues, 13th District Congressional primary
State Rep. Donavan McKinney lives in the 13th Congressional District. He’s challenging Congressman Shri Thanedar for the seat in the upcoming election.
GOP candidate Aric Nesbitt says he’s running for governor because ‘Michigan families are hurting’
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is part of a crowded field of Republican contenders for the top job in Lansing.
Congressman Thanedar talks record, issues heading into midterm election
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar is running for re-election, facing a primary opponent that is widely supported by Black leaders in Detroit and progressive politicians. He sits down with WDET’s Russ McNamara to talk about his campaign.