After announcing her bid to be Michigan's next governor, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson visited West Michigan Wednesday afternoon to kick off her campaign.

MICHIGAN — Michigan voters will choose a new governor in November 2026. Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited after serving back-to-back four year stints in Lansing. We are keeping track of candidates who throw their hats in the ring below.

Jocelyn Benson is the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for governor in 2026 after the state voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Healey’s travel in 2024 included a stretch in which she visited or was traveling to other states on 28 of the 80 days from the day she left Massachusetts for the Democratic National Convention in mid-August through Election Day on Nov.

Ms. Benson, a Democrat, jumped into a high-profile and potentially crowded race to lead one of the country’s top battleground states.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that she is launching a campaign for governor.

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for governor of the all-important swing state of Michigan (AP video: Mike Householder)

An Alabama inmate set to die next month is asking to be sent back to a Michigan prison. The state doesn't want him back.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced she is running for governor on Wednesday, becoming the first major Democratic candidate to jump into the race. “I’m running for

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson becomes the first major Democratic candidate to launch a bid to be Michigan's next governor.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen is expected to deliver her seventh State of the State address on Feb. 26, about a month later than she has previously given the annual speech.