MY AM ADVANTAGE

---

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

LANSING (CCN) — A possible fifth candidate who already holds an elected position has formed a committee to run for Governor of Michigan, according to reports in both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News on Thursday (March 6, 2025).

Garlin Gilchrist II is currently the Lieutenant Governor under Gretchen Whitmer who can't run again in 2026 because of term limits. The Detroit Free Press first reported that Gilchrist filed paper work on Tuesday (March 4, 2025) to form a committee to run.

The Michigan Secretary of State's web site does not show the filing happened.

Michigan Department of State Press Secretary Sam May said in an email to the Free Press that there was "a problem with the department's web site" when explaining why the information about Gilchrist's committee is not yet available online.

The Free Press quoted an anonymous source close to Gilchrist who said "news on a possible run" could be coming "soon" and added that Gilchrist has been "considering the best way he can continue to solve problems and deliver for Michigan families."

The source said a final decision by Gilchrist could come next week.

He would join an already crowded field that could add names as the August 2025 primary race is still 17 months away.

Others who have made official announcements include current Michigan Secretary of State Jacelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson as Democrats, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent while the only Republican so far officially in the race is Michigan Senate  Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township.

Mike Cox, who served eight years as Michigan Attorney General when becoming the first Republican A.G. elected in our state in more than 40 years in 2002, put up $1 million of his own money to launch an exploratory committee last month to possibly run for Governor.

Cox would be the only candidate so far in the field without a political job right now. He works in private practice as an attorney in the Detroit area.   He ran for Governor in 2010 but finished third in the primary behind Congressman Pete Hoekstra and eventual winner Rick Snyder.

Other names mentioned as potential candidates include Dana Nessel of southeast Michigan, 

Pete Buttigieg of Traverse City, Dan Kildee of Flint Township, Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township, Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, John James of Shelby Township, Tom Leonard of DeWitt, Tudor Dixon of Muskegon, Kevin Rinke of Bloomfield Township, Garret Soldano of Kalamazoo, Pete Hoekstra of Holland, Peter Meijer of Grand Rapids  and Macomb County pair Pete Lucido and Mark Hackel.

Nessel is the current Michigan Attorney General who is a Democrat who has joined numerous A.G.'s around the country filing lawsuits to block moves to make cuts by the Trump administration. She was re-elected to a second four-year term in 2022. Nessel had an 11-year run as an assistant prosecutor in Wayne County before going into private practice where she was involved in the high-profile fight to legalize same sex marriage in Michigan.

Buttigieg is a one-time candidate for President who was Mayor of Sound Bend, Indiana prior to losing to Joe Biden in his 2020 bid to get the Democrat nomination. Biden then appointed Buttigieg to his cabinet as Transportation Director.

Buttigieg and Nessel have been mentioned among the names as possible contenders to run for a seat in the U.S Senate to be vacated by Peters in 2026. Democrat Peters began his political career as a City Councilman in Rochester and served in the State Legislature prior to winning a seat in Congress. He announced last month that he won't seek re-election in 2026, leading to speculation by many that he may throw his hat in the ring for Governor as a Democrat. (See Story Below)

Kildee retired from the U.S. Congress last year after winning six terms. He took a recent position as Executive Director of the Greater Flint Community Foundation and was considering a run for Governor when first running in 2012 for the U.S. Congress seat formerly held by his late uncle (Dale Kilee) for nearly 40 years. Both Kildees ran as Democrats.

McMorrow is a Democrat State Senator who is the current Majority Whip. She worked in industrial design before getting into politics in 2019 when winning her seat in the State Legislature. An opponent accused her of acting to "groom and sexualize kindergartners" in 2022 and she responded with a tirade on the Senate floor that attracted more than a million views. She made headlines in 2020 when joining a lobbyist and a journalist of accusing then Republican State Senator Lucido of sexual harassment. He was never charged and later became Prosecuting Attorney in Macomb County.

Hackel is Macomb County Executive — a position the Democrat has held since it was created in 2011. Prior to that, he was Macomb County Sheriff.

James just won re-election to his seat in the US. House after losing bids for U.S. Senate, and he has been a close ally of President Donald Trump.

Leonard, a former Assistant Prosecutor in Genesee County who grew up in the Clio area, is a past Michigan Republican Speaker of the House who lost to Nessel in the 2022 race for Michigan Attorney General. Some suggest he may run again to be A.G. but he has made no comment on his future political plans.

Dixon was Whitmer's Republican opponent in the last general election after the top three on her party's ticket were disqualified for not getting sufficient signatures to appear on the ballot. She made a strong showing despite being outspent by a whopping 28-to-one margin. She was an  executive at her father's Michigan Steel Inc. until 2018 when becoming a conservative commentator as anchor of the weekly program Real America's Voice America's Voice Live on a streaming news and opinion channel known as Real America's Voice. In March 2023, Premiere Networks launched The Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network, with Dixon becoming their debut hosts with The Tudor Dixon Podcast.

Rinke poured $10 million into his campaign to win the Republican nomination in 2022 until the multi millionaire former car dealer was disqualified. He has made no indication that he will run again but notably followed Dixon's March 2023 podcast by starting a podcast of his own — Beyond the Echo.

Soldano, also a 2022 Republican candidate for Governor, is the owner of Soldano Family Chiropractic Center in Kalamazoo. He's a former Western Michigan University football player who is also the author of “God’s True Law, a parent’s guide to raising successful children.”

Hoekstra, who quit the U.S. Congress to run in 2010 when losing the Republican primary race to Rick Snyder, just completed a one-year term as chairman of the Republican Party in Michigan when his state delivered victories for Trump and the Michigan House that was won by Democrats for the first time in 40 years in 2022. Hoekstra had served in Washington D.C. since 1993 when opting to run for Governor in 2010.

Meijer is from the prominent Meijer family from Grand Rapids that owns the grocery superstore chain in multiple states. He holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a master's degree in business administration from New York University, and erved in the United States Army Reserve when deployed as an intelligence advisor during the Iraq War. He was elected to the U.S. House in 2020 but voted out after just one term when joining nine other Republicans who voted to impeach Trump during his first term. He lost in his primary to Trump-backed John Gibbs who then lost the general election to Democrat Hillary Scholten.

Gilchrist has only run for office one time, and he lost. He was beaten in the Detroit City Clerk race by incumbent Janice Winfrey in 2017.

He was selected by Whitmer as her running mate in 2018 at the age of 35. 

In Lansing under Whitmer, Gilchrist has been a leader of  statewide task forces on jail, pretrial incarceration and juvenile justice. As chair of Michigan’s COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force, Lt. Governor Gilchrist acted decisively to respond to the pandemic’ disproportionate impact on communities of color. Michigan led the nation in tackling racial disparities and continues to expand access to affordable, equitable health care.

He has led efforts to connect over 27,000 homes and businesses to reliable, affordable fast internet, expand innovation and to "make Michigan the best place to have an idea" as he proclaims.

He touched off talk of possibly having an eye on the Governor's office when embarking last year on a statewide “Thriving Cities” tour of visiting communities in every region to hear from Michiganders about the issues that matter to them.

Gilchrist also served as chair of the National Lieutenant Governors Association.

He and wife Ellen reside in Detroit where they are raising daughter Ruby and twin sons Emily and Garlin III.

Gilchrist was a software engineer who moved to west to Washington to work four years for Microsoft after graduating from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He then moved to Chicago where he worked as a community organizer and director of new media for the Center for Community Change, now known as Community Change. He later worked in Washington D.C. as national campaign director for MoveOn.org before returning to his hometown Detroit in 2014 to take a job with the City of Detroit.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Garlin Gilchrist II who has reportedly filed a committee to run for Governor of Michigan in 2026.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

LANSING (CCN) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address on Wednesday night (Feb. 26, 2025), and no state legislators have yet weighed in with responses.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who announced two weeks ago that he will seek the nomination for Democrats to run to replace Whitmer as Governor when her term ends in 2026, had high praise for her speech at the Capitol to legislators on both sides of the aisle.

Sheriff Swanson said, "Build, baby, build — I liked that, Governor Gretchen Whitmer. When we invest in the state’s infrastructure, it trickles down. If we keep jobs in Michigan, lower costs on everyday items, or supply resources for small businesses, we will get more homes and more happy Michiganders." 

(See Related Story in Today's State News)

Genesee County's Republican State Senator (Ruth Johnson of Groveland Township) has not yet released a statement.

Republican State Rep. David Martin of Davison  welcomed Grand Blanc City Councilman Andrew Nyquist to the House Floor for the governor’s annual State of the State address. (See Story in Grand Blanc Press) Martin and fellow Republicans from the Metro Flint regional area (Phil Green of MIllington, Berlein of Frankenmuth, Mike Mueller of Linden and Brian BeGole of Shiawassee County) in the state legislature have not yet released statements about the Governor's State of the State address.

State Rep. Cynthia Neeley of Flint and State Rep. Jasper Martus of Flushing (both Democrats) also have not yet released statements.

Genesee County's Democrat State Senator (John Cherry of Flint) has also not yet released a statement.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson who had high praise for Governor Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State speech.

BY GARY ANDERSON

CCN Staff Writer

FLINT (CCN) — Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson reportedly had about 400 supporters on hand Thursday night to hear him make it official that he's running to become Governor of Michigan in 2026.

He will run as a Democrat.

CCN Executive Editor Mike Killbreath called it the "worst kept secret in local history" earlier today on The Morning Gazette Radio Show that airs weekdays at 8 am on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

WLNS TV 6 in Lansing first reported in Wednesday, saying veteran reporter Tim Skubick had confirmed it would happen on Thursday.

Independent journalist Dave Bondy had the first local report via social media Wednesday about Skubick's scoop on the Lansing TV station.

Swanson did not respond to a text for comment to confirm or deny the report before Killbreath's radio show. Sheriff Swanson sent him an invitation to a "private event" after his radio show.

"He's one of the best around to quickly reply to our requests for a comment on anything, so I figure it was true just by that," Killbreath said on his broadcast. "Plus Tim Skubick has been around longer than my 50 years as a journalist, and he wouldn't go with it if it wasn't true."

The announcement was made on the campus of Flint's Mott Community College where Swanson earned his associate's degree.

He began his law enforcement career at the Genesee County Sheriff's Department at age 18 after graduating from Grand Blanc High School. Swanson worked his way up to become Captain, then Under-Sheriff before being appointed as Sheriff when Bob Pickell retired in 2019. Swanson ran for election in 2020 and won by a landslide margin, then was re-elected in November 2024 by another landslide vote.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced last week that she was officially in the field to seek the nomination by the Democrat Party. Swanson is the second candidate to make it official on the Democrat side although current Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and current Michigan Attorney General Dan Nessel are other potential faces that could join the race.

The only Republican candidate to so far to announce he's officially in the contest is State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesibtt — a former Michigan Lottery Commissioner.

Mike Cox has put up $1 million of his own money for an exploratory committee. He served eight years as Michigan's first Republican Attorney General in nearly 50 years when elected in 2002. He's now in private practice. Cox served more than 20 years as a homicide prosecutor in Detroit before going to Lansing as A.G.

The last two local names from Genesee County to be mentioned as potential candidates for Governor were Dan Kildee of Flint Township and John Cherry Jr. of Clio.

Kildee ran instead for the U.S. Congress and won in 2012. Cherry, a former State Senator, was considered a potential candidate near the end of his eight-year run as Lieutenant Governor under Jennifer Granholm from 2003 until 2011. He opted not to run when unable to raise enough money to make a serious bid.

Former Fenton Township Clerk and long-time state legislator Charles Mueller of Linden was considered a top challenger for the Republican nomination in the 1991 gubernatorial election eventually won by John Engler after Mueller lost his 1990 primary race for re-election as State Rep.

(See Related Story Above in Opinion Column)

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson who announced Thursday that he is running for Governor of Michigan in 2026.

.Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

Independent journalist Dave Bondy was the first local media source to report it last night. We made it known on today's Morning Gazette Radio Show on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio.

I tried first to confirm the report by WLNS TV 6's TIm Skubick. He's a veteran reporter and his story said he had confirmed that Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson would make it official tomorrow that he's running as a Democrat for Governor of Michigan in 2026.

Sheriff Swanson, one of the best in local political circles to quickly return texts, didn't reply to my text last night about the validity of the report by the Lansing TV station. That's why I decided to go with it.

Normally it would be classified as a rumor out of Lansing in my book. Trusting reporters isn't always a good idea because they get it wrong almost as often as they get stories right in today's age of how budget cuts have decimated news rooms. 

But Tim Skubick has been around a long time. Probably longer than the 50 years I've been a journalist.

And Sheriff Swanson said it without saying it. 

If he didn't reply to my text, yes it was true. So I said so on my radio show.

After my radio show aired, Sheriff Swanson sent an invitation to his "private event" tonight at 5:30 pm. I won't say where it is because maybe he doesn't want any political enemies to crash it.

Many prominent local Republicans who once adored Sheriff Swanson have now abandoned him in mass after he entered the national political scene. He did a commercial for President Joe Biden on national TV during the famous debate that led to Biden's departure from his campaign to be re-elected. Then Sheriff Swanson took the stage on national TV at the Democrat convention to support VP Kamala Harris in her failed bid to beat Donald Trump.

So Republican leaders around here are telling their fellow Republicans he's a bad guy who has gone against their man Donald Trump.

Then there all the people arrested by his Sheriff's Department. Plus all the employees who don't like their boss. Or who don't work there anymore.

Yeah, Sheriff Swanson has enemies.

As Winston Churchill once said: "You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."

In the last few hours since my radio show and after last night's post on social media by Dave Bondy, I've now read hundreds of comments about Sheriff Swanson. The good and bad? About even.

Those who like him rave about his passion for life. They like how his IGNITE program has helped educate and prepare prisoners to enter the work force to cut down on recidivism, causing the program that start at his county jail to catch on in other communities across our state and across America. They like his GHOST task force that has worked with the  likes of national celebrity child predator catcher Chris Hansen to take down dozen of predators around our parts over the last five years since he became Sheriff. He was appointed late in the final term of former long-time Sheriff Robert Pickell, then elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2024. Many supporters of Swanson worried if he could campaign, yet he became one of the most popular people to ever win county-wide office.

Those who don't like him say he's never met a TV camera he doesn't like. They say he's "pretend" with his "passion act" over every subject under the sun. They say his "political act" is fueled by fake passion when he "really doesn't care about anything except promoting Chris Swanson."

One notable comment I spotted on social media was from community activist Art Woodson of Flint. I'd summarize Woodson's DNA as stone cold "never meeting a politician he likes" anywhere. He doesn't trust any of them and says so on his popular Facebook Live videos. He posted praise earlier today, however, for Sheriff Swanson, saying, "If you need help, all you have to do is ask him."

I judge it this way. School officials say he's the same Chris Swanson when dealing with little kids. People tell me they meet him at the grocery store or somewhere in the community, and he's always high on life. He's a guy who is the real deal when it comes to being a motivational speaker. He wears his Christian faith on his sleeve and isn't shy about expressing it. He's passionate about everything he does, including being a five-time Iron Man champion.

He shows up to give pep talks to sports teams heading out for big games on the statewide stage. He reminds them how they represent our community and how so many little kids are looking up to them as role models. Even former national championship football Coach Jim Harbaugh invited Sheriff Swanson to address his troops. His message was so good that I added part of it to the open to my weeknight sports show. 

Sheriff Swanson challenged a whole team of soon-to-be national champs to a push-up contest that particular day —  same as he once did in Flint at historic Atwood Stadium when he joined a press conference a few years ago by long-time Judge Duncan Beagle to reveal eight prep football teams playing in the Vehicle City Gridiron Classic on the turf later that fall.

All the stars of these local high school teams took him up on the challenge. They failed to beat him just like the UM stars would later do.

As the prep players were dropping like flies, he was yelling and shouting at them as he suddenly switched to one-handed push-ups with an occasional spin around in the air to let them know nobody was beating him.

When these candidates for Governor line up, I'm predicting right now he's going to be figuring out how to beat them the same way. He has more personality and passion in his little finger than any of the names so far being mentioned as competitors.

Before they waste any time and money getting serious about running, I'd suggest they sit down for a few minutes to meet Chris Swanson. Unless they are idiots, one conversation should convince them they have absolutely no chance.

I think Swanson has God on his side, too. That's where he says all his passion come from, according to many who tell me they know his Christian, boy scout attitude is the real deal.

If he's consistently showing the same passion everywhere, you can't call it fake.

I like the one comment I read today defending Sheriff Swanson's passionate approach to everything. The one describing him as simply "high on life." As you can see above and you heard on my radio show today, I've adopted it as my own. If it's used enough times, hey, it's mine.

Chris Swanson first came on my radar in 2009 when I heard him speak at a campaign event for Brenda Clack when she was running for mayor in Flint. He was indeed high on life that day, and every day I've ever talked to him since that first time I shook his hand to tell him what a fantastic speaker he was, surprising me by knowing my name because he had "seen me around the Sheriff's office."

I remember later telling then Sheriff Pickell, "This captain guy of yours is destined for bigger things if he ever decides to get into politics. He's a powerful speaker with a powerful message of hope and faith."

Sheriff Pickell said, "If he ever set his mind to it, Chris Swanson has what it takes to become President of the United States."

I thought at the time, this guy is the kinda guy I'd like to see in the White House some day.

Maybe that's next after a stop at the State House. 

Swanson has been running for Governor for a while now although he has stopped short of ever making it official. He went from a deputy at age 18, to Captain to Under-Sheriff, to Sheriff at age 47. He's now 51.

Catapulting to the national stage during the most recent Presidential race was done while also appearing in commercials to help fellow Democrat Kristin McDonald-Rivett win a seat in Congress to replace retiring Flint Township Rep. Dan Kildee. He did commercials, too, to support Gretchen Whitmer in her re-election bid for Governor of our state as well as promoting Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in her successful re-election bid in 2022.

All that came after he rose to national prominence with his GHOST team and his IGNITE program, as well as how he first burst onto the national scene in 2020 during the protests and riots by Black Lives Matter after George Floyd was killed in Minneapolis. He was a black man killed by a white police officer.

When the protests spread to Genesee County, Sheriff Swanson and other officers lined up near the Flint Township Police Department. They were prepared for the kind of trouble like in nearby Detroit where riots broke out in the streets.

Swanson asked protesters what they wanted. One reply was simple. "March with us!"

He then removed his riot gear and asked fellow officers to do the same. "Let's walk," he demanded. It was a scene that was seen on TV screens across the county as they marched alongside demonstrators down Miller Road. Swanson said at the time a different response was planned, but later told national media: “As I was walking up, I thought, there’s got to be a better way.”

By the summer of 2023, Swanson had bought a passenger bus and wrapped it with a big photo of himself and his slogan: "Walk with us!"

He said he was using it to promote IGNITE as he crisscrossed the state to talk at schools and big events.

That obviously led to expectations that he wanted to be Governor in 2026.

At 5:30 pm somewhere today in Genesee County, expect it to become true when he makes an official announcement.

Read This Week's Featured Column

Read Today's Editor's Notebook

Read Old Editor's Notebook Columns

-----------------------------------------------------

Mike Killbreath appears on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio via The Morning Gazette Radio Show weekday mornings from 8 am until 9:30 am. He's an award-winning newspaper columnist and investigative reporter who is the former long-time owner of the local Metro Flint area chain of 14 community newspapers. This fall marked his 50th year as a journalist. He also hosts a new weekly national TV show known as The American Crusaders on cable TV and various OTT TV live streaming platforms

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

TRAVERSE CITY (CCN) — Pete Buttigieg, a one-time candidate for President, may be entering the race for one of the top political positions in Michigan.

Buttigieg ended a long absence from the public eye  just one day after two big questions were posed to Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer when she appeared Wednesday (Jan. 29, 2025) on ABC TV's The View. Whitmer was asked about her future plans after Michigan Senator Gary Peters revealed he would not be seeking re-election in 2026.

Governor Whitmer ruled out a run for the vacant seat when her term ends in 2026.

She didn't, however, rule out possibly jumping into the Presidential race in four years although being coy with her response. She was on the show to promote her new book — Big Gretch.

Her response made national news.

Buttigieg also then wasted no time placing himself in the national news headlines by blasting President Donald Trump after the tragic plane crash last night in Washington D.C. The former Transportation Secretary's tweet on X (formerly known as Twitter) said: "Despicable. As families grieve, Trump should be leading, not lying. We put safety first, drove down close calls, grew Air Traffic Control, and had zero commercial airline crash fatalities out of millions of flights on our watch. President Trump now oversees the military and the FAA. One of his first acts was to fire and suspend some of the key personnel who helped keep our skies safe. It's tIme for the President to show actual leadership and explain what he will do to prevent this from happening again."

While Buttigieg has made no comment in regard to possibly running again for President in four years himself, a source close to Buttigieg was quoted anonymously about the possibility of running for the U.S. Senate on Thursday (Jan. 30, 2025) by Axios which is a national news web site owned by media giant Cox Enterprises. 

The source told Axios: "Pete is exploring all of his options on how he can be helpful and continue to serve. He's honored to be mentioned for this and he's taking a serious look."

Buttigieg posted a tweet earlier to praise the service of Senator Peters, saying, "Senator Gary Peters has served with great integrity, focus, and expertise. It was a pleasure working with him as Secretary to deliver good policies for our country and key transportation projects in Michigan."

Buttigieg moved to Traverse City to live with his husband there while serving for the last four years after former President Biden tabbed him to be the U.S. Transportation Secretary. He formerly served as Mayor of Sound Bend, Indiana.

While Buttigieg has made no comment yet about possibly going after the vacant seat in Congress, there is also still no comment about possible interest in running by Republican Paul Young of Grand Blanc and Democrats Kristen McDonald Rivet, former Flint Mayor Matt Collier or State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh — the former Health Director in the City of Flint.

McDonald Rivet is a former State Senator from Saginaw who won the U.S. House seat vacated in November by retiring Congressman Dan Kildee of Flint Township. She beat Collier and Pugh in the primary, before beating Paul Young in the general election. It was the third time Young has lost bids for Congress.

With possible control of the U.S. Senate hanging in the balance, Michigan's 2026 Senate race may be one of the most expensive in the country.

Buttigieg would bring a national fundraising network to the table after his 2020 bid for the nomination that ultimately went to Democrat Joe Biden. Buttigieg won the Iowa primary.

Buttigieg's name has also been mentioned as a possible candidate for Governor when Whitmer's term ends in 2026.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced earlier this week (See Story Below) that she's running for Goverrnor.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced he's running as an independent although he ran as a Democrat previously when winning the Wayne County Prosecutor job. Detroit's mayoral position is non partisan.

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has launched an exploratory committee for Governor as a Republican. He served eight years as A.G. before he was term limited from running again in 2010. Cox returned to private practice after leaving Lansing. He had previously served two years in the Oakland County Prosecutor's office and from 1990 until 2002 as an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County, including under Duggan when he was Prosecutor. Cox replaced Democrat Jennifer Granholm as A.G. She also served eight years and also worked under Duggan when he was Wayne County Prosecutor. Current A.G. Dana Nessel also worked at the Wayne County Prosecutor's office.

 Republican State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt launched a campaign last week after Cox threw his hat in the ring late last year. Duggan made his announcement official in early December.

Nesbitt, a former State Lottery Commissioner, served six years in the House of Representatives before being term limited. He has also won two four-year terms in the State Senate and can't run again. 

Current Michigan A.G. Dana Nessel has also been mentioned by many as a possible contender for the gubernatorial spot. Her term also end in 2026 and she can't run again.

Nessel has issued numerous recent high profile press releases and joined 22 other A.G.'s around the USA to file a lawsuit against President Donald Trump for cuts to federal funding for many programs that Nessel says are essential for many Michigan residents to "survive."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Pete Buttigieg of Traverse City

BY GARY ANDERSON

CCN Staff Writer

LANSING (CCN) — Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has announced that he's putting up $1 million of his own money to explore a possible bid for Governor in 2026.

"I’m exploring a run for Governor because the Michigan that once allowed a carpenter’s son to achieve anything is slipping away — and if I decide to run, I’m ready to put my own skin in the race before asking others to join me in fighting for our state’s future." 

Democrat Gretchen Whitmer's second four-year term ends in 2026.

Cox is a Republican who backed Donald Trump when he won Michigan in November en route to returning to the White House.

Cox posted in a social media comment on Facebook: "As the son of a carpenter, and a domestic worker who came to Michigan with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a work ethic, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities Michigan has given me . After serving in the US Marine Corps, and putting my self through the University of Michigan, I became a homicide prosecutor in Detroit, securing convictions against dangerous criminals. In 2002 against all odds, I was elected as Michigan's first Republican Attorney General in nearly 50 years. Today, I run a successful law practice defending victims, and those bullied by big government."

 State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is so far the only one who has announced he will officially take aim at the Republican primary in 2026. 

Senator Nesbitt launched a campaign last week after Cox threw his hat in the ring late last year as a possible candidate.

Nesbitt is a former State Lottery Commissioner who served six years in the State House of Representatives before being term limited. He has also won two four-year terms in the State Senate and can't run again in 2026.

Among Democrats, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced earlier this week (See Story Below) that she's running for Governor. Current Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are others many predict may get into the race as Democrats.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced he's running as an independent although he ran as a Democrat previously when winning the Wayne County Prosecutor job. Detroit's mayoral position is non partisan.

Cox made a previous bid for the Republican nomination for Governor in the August 2010 primary when losing to eventual Governor Rick Snyder.

He served eight years as A.G. before he was term limited from running again in 2010.

Cox then returned to private practice after leaving Lansing. He had previously served two years in the Oakland County Prosecutor's office and from 1990 until 2002 as an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Mike Cox who is Michigan's former Attorney General, now considering a run for Governor in 2026.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

LANSING (CCN) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has announced she's running for Governor in 2026 when Gretchen Whitmer is term limited.

Whitmer and Benson are both Democrats but Governor Whitmer has not given Benson an endorsement.

Benson faces a primary election in August 2026 before the general election later that year in November.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced he's running as an independent although he ran as a Democrat previously when winning the Wayne County Prosecutor job. Detroit's mayoral position is non partisan.

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has also declared that he's considering running for Governor as a Republican. He served eight years as A.G. before he was term limited from running again in 2010. Cox returned to private practice after leaving Lansing. He had served two years in the Oakland County Prosecutor's office and served from 1990 until 2002 as an Assistant Prosecutor in Wayne County, including under Duggan when he was Prosecutor.

Cox replaced Democrat Jennifer Granholm as A.G. She also served eight years and also worked under Duggan when he was Wayne County Prosecutor. Current A.G. Dana Nessel also worked at the Wayne County Prosecutor's office.

 Republican State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt launched a campaign last week after Cox threw his hat in the ring late last year. Duggan made his announcement official in early December.

Nesbitt, a former State Lottery Commissioner, served six years in the House of Representatives before being term limited. He has also won two four-year terms in the State Senate and can't run again. 

Benson released a campaign video last week, saying, "I'm running for governor to truly make government work for everyone. We need leaders who are transparent and accountable. We need leaders who are transparent and accountable."

The video included news footage of protestors outside Benson's family home in 2020, when supporters of President Donald Trump waged a sure campaign to try to overturn his election loss that year.

Benson appeared Sunday on MSNBC to make her intentions known that will run for higher office.

She previously issued a statement via social media which read: "I’m running to be the next Governor of Michigan to ensure everyone gets a fair shot. I'm a mom, military spouse, marathoner, educator — and Michigan’s Secretary of State. I’ve never backed down from a tough fight or hard work. And I know together we can build the future Michiganders deserve."

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson who has announced she is running for Governor. 

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

WASHINGTON (CCN) — Gary Peters of Bloomfield Township will not re-election in 2026 as a United State Senator.

Senator Peters made the announcement Tuesday (Jan. 28, 2025) via a video on social media.

You can hear his message in its entirety on Tuesday's Morning Gazette Radio Show.

Senator Peters said, "Serving in Congress has been the honor of my lifetime.

He has served as a Senator since 2015 and became Michigan's senior member when Debbie Stabenaw chose not to seek re-election in November.

He was elected to the Rochester HIlls City Council in 1991, then won a seat in the Michigan Senate two years later to represent Oakland County. He was re-elected to a second four-year term but was then forced to step down in 2002 because of term limits.

Peters then ran for Governor in 2002 and later lost to Mike Cox for Attorney General. Cox defeated him in the closest statewide race in Michigan since the 1950 gubernatorial election. Cox became the first Republican to win an A.G. race in nearly 50 years.

Former Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm tabbed Peters to become Michigan Lottery Commissioner before he ran for the United State House of Representatives in 2009. He served there until 2015 when going for the U.S. Senate seat he has held ever since.

 Peters worked for 22 years as a financial advisor before getting into politics, serving as an assistant vice president at Merrill Lynch from 1980 until 1989 and then joining Paine Webber as a vice president.

Prior to that financial planner work, he served in the military.

Peters joined the United State Navy Reserve in 1993 at age 34. He served more than 10 years in units at Selfridge Air National Guard Base near Mount Clemens. 

His reserve duty included time in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Southern watch. He served overseas again during the September 11th attacks.

He won the Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist designation during his military service which ended in 2008 and included earning the rank of lieutenant commander. He was also awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

After graduating from Rochester Hills High School, Peters graduated magna cum laude in 1980 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Detroit in 1984. He also holds a juris doctor and master of arts from Wayne State University, as well as a master of arts in philosophy from Michigan State University.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Senator Gary Peters.

(CCN) — Another Detroit mayoral contender has surfaced in the city's upcoming mayoral election to replace Mike Duggan who is running for Governor.

The Detroit News reported that Detroit City Councilman Fred Durhal III is expected to kick off his own campaign for Mayor to replace Mike Duggan who has declared that he won't seek re-election at the end of this year, but instead is running for Governor in 2026. 

The mayoral field in Detroit already included Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, former council president Saunteel Jenkins and businessman Joel Haashiim. 

Others still in the exploratory phase are attorney Todd Perkins, Coleman Young Jr. who is the son of former long-time Detroit Mayor Coleman Young and State Rep Joe Tate who was Speaker of the House until Republicans won control in November.  

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

DETROIT (CCN) — Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has announced that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term. He's the second-longest serving Mayor in the city's history.

Mayor Duggan has been Mayor for 11 years and will complete his 12th year in 2025.

 That's when the campaign for Governor would get started in Michigan. 

The Morning Gazette Radio Show on Metro Flint News/Talk Radio reported last summer from high-placed sources that Duggan would run for Governor in 2026.

Duggan has repeatedly denied he would try to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer who is term limited out at the end of next year.

He didn't rule it out but would not comment when Detroit reporters peppering the Mayor with questions about it. Duggan said his "future plans are a secret for at least a couple more weeks."

Duggan attracted national attention in 2013 when he won as a write-in after a snafu kept his name off the ballot and because he became the first white Mayor of the majority-black city since Roman Gribbs in the early 1970s when Detroit's population still had a white majority. Duggan was re-elected in 2017 and 2021.

He is the former Wayne County Prosecutor and among those who worked for him there include Jennifer Granholm who went on to become Michigan Attorney General for eight years and later Governor for eight years, Mike Cox who served eight years as AG, Dana Nessel who is the current AG and Kym Worthy who has been Wayne County Prosecutor since 2004 when she was appointed by a three-judge panel to replace Duggan when he resigned to become CEO at the Detroit Medical Center before running for Mayor.

Duggan's administration has been rocked by state and federal investigations that have included raids at Detroit City Hall, as well as indictments of key individuals close to him.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Mike Duggan who is not seeking re-election for a fourth term as Mayor in the City of Detroit.

BY MIKE KILLBREATH

CCN Executive Editor

LANSING (CCN) — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said Monday (July 22, 2024) that she is not a candidate to become Vice President despite so much speculation.in the national media.

Governor Whitmer made the announcement during an exclusive interview with WJRT's ABC TV 12. She also issued an official statement.

Matt Franklin, ABC TV 12's long-time news anchor of the 5 pm, y6 pm and 11 pm newscasts, did the interview with Whitmer.

She earlier in the day endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for President after Sunday's decision by President Joe Biden to bow out of the election.

“I’m not leaving Michigan,” Whitmer said. “I'm proud to be the governor of Michigan. I've been consistent. I know everyone is always suspicious and asking this question over and over again. I know you're doing your job — I'm not going anywhere."

Whitmer told Franklin that "she does not not what the future holds."

Whitmer will continue a tour today for her new book with an evening stop at her alma mater, Michigan State University, where she will be interviewed by former Governor Jim Blanchard. 

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured above this story is Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.