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Michigan Senate Republican Leader Nesbitt launches run for governor

Michigan’s gubernatorial election is in 2026

Sen. Aric Nesbitt, a Lawton Republican, speaks with reporters following a Senate committee's party-line vote in favor of his bill that would end a requirement that drivers have unlimited medical coverage through their car insurer on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Lansing, Mich. Nesbitt says health costs are driving high auto insurance rates in the state. (AP Photo/David Eggert) (David Eggert, Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt announced early Tuesday morning he is running for governor.

Nesbitt was elected to serve as a state senator in 2018. He currently serves Michigan’s 20th Senate District, which represents portions of Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan and Kent counties.

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According to his campaign website, he aims to “Make Michigan Great Once Again” as governor and claims a conservative leadership is needed to restore the state’s government that puts Michigan families and workers first.

The Lawton native earned his economics degree from Hillsdale College and later earned his master’s in international business.

Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer has reached her term limit, so she will not be running in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, announced in December 2024 that he is also running for governor in 2026 as an Independent.


About the Author
Samantha Sayles headshot

Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.