2022 Michigan gubernatorial election

The 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election will take place on November 8, 2022, to elect the Governor of Michigan. Incumbent Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer is running for re-election to a second term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Gretchen Whitmer, incumbent Governor (2019–present)^[1]

Endorsements

Gretchen Whitmer

Organizations

EMILY's List^[2]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Mike Brown, captain in the Michigan State Police^[3]^[4]
Austin Chenge, businessman and U.S. Army veteran^[5]^[6]
James Craig, former head of the Detroit Police Department (2013–2021)^[7]
Tudor Dixon, conservative media personality^[8]^[9]
Ryan D. Kelley, Allendale Township Planning commissioner^[10]
Ralph Rebandt, Farmington Hills pastor^[11]
Bob Scott, Vice President of the Evangelical Alliance Ministerial Association^[8]
Garrett Soldano, businessman and former co-chairman of Unlock Michigan^[12]
Evan Space, Michigan Army National Guard veteran and candidate for governor in 2018^[13]^[14]

Publicly expressed interest

Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General (2003–2011) and candidate for governor in 2010^[15]
Steven Crowder, conservative political commentator, media host and comedian (also expressed interest in a mayoral campaign)^[16]
John James, businessman, former U.S. Army Captain and Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020^[17]
Ronna McDaniel, chair of the Republican National Committee (2017–present) and former chair of the Michigan Republican Party (2015–2017)^[18]^[19]^[20]^[8]

Potential

Tom Barrett, state senator from the 24th district (2019–present)^[18]
Jack Bergman, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 1st congressional district (2017–present), retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General^[18]
Lee Chatfield, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives (2019–2021)^[21]
Patrick Colbeck, former state senator from the 7th district (2011–2019) and candidate for governor in 2018^[21]
Lisa McClain, U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2021–present)^[21]
Jack O'Malley, state representative from the 101st district (2019–present)^[21]
Matthew J. Schneider, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan (2018–2021)^[22]

Declined

Betsy DeVos, former U.S. Secretary of Education (2017–2021) and former chair of the Michigan Republican Party (1996–2000, 2003–2005)^[23]^[24]
Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner (2017–present), former U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th congressional district (2003–2016), and former Michigan Secretary of State (1995–2003)^[21]^[25]
Mike Shirkey, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate (2019–present) and former state representative from the 65th district (2010–2014)^[18]

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[26]	Lean D	August 6, 2021
Inside Elections^[27]	Battleground	August 16, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[28]	Lean D	March 11, 2021

Polling

Gretchen Whitmer vs. James Craig

Graphical summary

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[a]	Margin of error	Gretchen Whitmer (D)	James Craig (R)	Undecided
EPIC-MRA	August 9–15, 2021	600 (LV)	± 4.0%	45%	44%	11%
Competitive Edge Research & Communication (R)^[A]	May 26 – June 4, 2021	809 (LV)	± 4.0%	38%	45%	–
Target-Insyght	May 9–11, 2021	800 (RV)	± 3.5%	48%	42%	10%

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ Includes Undecided
^ "Elect someone new" as opposed to "re-elect Whitmer" with 41%
^ "It depends" with 14%; Undecided with 6%

Partisan clients

^ ^a ^b This poll was sponsored by the Michigan Republican Party

References

^ Eggert, David (July 21, 2021). "Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer reelection campaign breaks fundraising record". News Nation. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
^ "Candidates for Governor".
^ "Michigan State Police captain Mike Brown joins Republican race for governor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ "Michigan State Police commander joins GOP race for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
^ "AUSTIN CHENGE; Pro Cop, Entrepreneur, Businessman, Veteran and African Immigrant Announces Republican Governor Challenge to Gretchen Whitmer". Law Enforcement Today. February 3, 2021.
^ Parseghian, Aaron (February 11, 2021). "Meet Austin Chenge: a GOP candidate for governor who wants to cancel Black History Month and calls Gov. Whitmer a 'dictator'". WXMI. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
^ Creitz, Charles (July 21, 2021). "Ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig: 'I'm running' to unseat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Fox News. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "McDaniel? James? Dixon? GOP looks for Whitmer challenger". WXMI. April 26, 2021.
^ Egan, Paul (May 20, 2021). "Conservative TV commentator Tudor Dixon says she is running for Michigan governor". Detroit Free Press.
^ Lawler, Emily (July 27, 2021). "Garrett Soldano out-raises other Republican candidates for governor at $625k". MLive (published July 26, 2021). Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
^ Tankersley, Shelby (June 20, 2021). "Farmington Hills pastor wants to be Michigan's next governor". HometownLife. Gannett. Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^ "Candidates starting to emerge for 2021 Michigan Governor race". WEYI-TV. WEYI-TV. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
^ "Early bird GOP gubernatorial candidates share political views in Livonia". Hometown Life.
^ Fracassi, Jenna (August 28, 2017). "GVSU student runs for governor of Michigan". Grand Valley Lanthorn. Grand Valley State University. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
^ "Michigan attorney Mike Cox considers governor run as Republican". Fox 2 Detroit. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
^ Crowder, Steven (February 2, 2021). "Why I'm considering running for office... Louder With Crowder". youtube.
^ DeVito, Lee (March 24, 2021). "Two-time Senate loser John James is considering running for Michigan governor in 2022". Metro Times. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Mauger, Craig. "Candice Miller says she won't run for Michigan governor in 2022". The Detroit News.
^ "Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee". Spreaker. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
^ "RNC chair McDaniel floated possible Michigan governor run". Politico. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Melinn, Kyle. "Top 5 possible GOP gubernatorial candidates for 2022". City Pulse.
^ "Schneider resigns as Detroit's U.S. attorney, joining Honigman". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
^ Grant Hermes; Dane Kelly (July 15, 2021). "Former Detroit police chief James Craig teases 'important announcement'". ClickOnDetroit.
^ "GOP's DeVos says she will not seek Michigan governorship". WOODTV.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
^ "Macomb County's Candice Miller says she won't run for Michigan governor in 2022". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
^ "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
^ "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
^ "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

External links

Official campaign websites

[Key-26] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[31] Includes Undecided

[32] "Elect someone new" as opposed to "re-elect Whitmer" with 41%

[33] "It depends" with 14%; Undecided with 6%

[MIGOP-30] This poll was sponsored by the Michigan Republican Party

[1] Eggert, David (July 21, 2021). "Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer reelection campaign breaks fundraising record". News Nation. Retrieved August 2, 2021.

[2] "Candidates for Governor".

[3] "Michigan State Police captain Mike Brown joins Republican race for governor". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved August 21, 2021.

[4] "Michigan State Police commander joins GOP race for governor". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 21, 2021.

[5] "AUSTIN CHENGE; Pro Cop, Entrepreneur, Businessman, Veteran and African Immigrant Announces Republican Governor Challenge to Gretchen Whitmer". Law Enforcement Today. February 3, 2021.

[6] Parseghian, Aaron (February 11, 2021). "Meet Austin Chenge: a GOP candidate for governor who wants to cancel Black History Month and calls Gov. Whitmer a 'dictator'". WXMI. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.

[7] Creitz, Charles (July 21, 2021). "Ex-Detroit Police Chief James Craig: 'I'm running' to unseat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". Fox News. Retrieved July 22, 2021.

[WXMI_GOPCandidates-8] "McDaniel? James? Dixon? GOP looks for Whitmer challenger". WXMI. April 26, 2021.

[9] Egan, Paul (May 20, 2021). "Conservative TV commentator Tudor Dixon says she is running for Michigan governor". Detroit Free Press.

[out-10] Lawler, Emily (July 27, 2021). "Garrett Soldano out-raises other Republican candidates for governor at $625k". MLive (published July 26, 2021). Archived from the original on August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.

[11] Tankersley, Shelby (June 20, 2021). "Farmington Hills pastor wants to be Michigan's next governor". HometownLife. Gannett. Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

[12] "Candidates starting to emerge for 2021 Michigan Governor race". WEYI-TV. WEYI-TV. Retrieved August 23, 2021.

[13] "Early bird GOP gubernatorial candidates share political views in Livonia". Hometown Life.

[14] Fracassi, Jenna (August 28, 2017). "GVSU student runs for governor of Michigan". Grand Valley Lanthorn. Grand Valley State University. Archived from the original on January 25, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.

[15] "Michigan attorney Mike Cox considers governor run as Republican". Fox 2 Detroit. Retrieved July 30, 2021.

[16] Crowder, Steven (February 2, 2021). "Why I'm considering running for office... Louder With Crowder". youtube.

[17] DeVito, Lee (March 24, 2021). "Two-time Senate loser John James is considering running for Michigan governor in 2022". Metro Times. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021.

[News_GOPCandidates-18] Mauger, Craig. "Candice Miller says she won't run for Michigan governor in 2022". The Detroit News.

[19] "Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee". Spreaker. Retrieved March 17, 2021.

[20] "RNC chair McDaniel floated possible Michigan governor run". Politico. Retrieved April 22, 2021.

[LCP_GOPCandidates-21] Melinn, Kyle. "Top 5 possible GOP gubernatorial candidates for 2022". City Pulse.

[22] "Schneider resigns as Detroit's U.S. attorney, joining Honigman". Crain's Detroit Business. Retrieved January 21, 2020.

[23] Grant Hermes; Dane Kelly (July 15, 2021). "Former Detroit police chief James Craig teases 'important announcement'". ClickOnDetroit.

[24] "GOP's DeVos says she will not seek Michigan governorship". WOODTV.com. August 11, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.

[:0-25] "Macomb County's Candice Miller says she won't run for Michigan governor in 2022". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 4, 2021.

[Cook_PR-27] "2022 Governor Race Ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved February 4, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-28] "Gubernatorial Ratings". Inside Elections. Retrieved February 19, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-29] "2022 Gubernatorial race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 11, 2021.

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