Former GOP state lawmaker Tom Leonard withdrew from the race for Michigan’s governor.
Leonard made the announcement on his social media accounts on April 23.
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“After time with my family and prayerful reflection, I’ve concluded that stepping aside is the right choice - not because the challenges aren’t real, but because staying true to the mission matters more than continuing a campaign that would require me to become something I am not,” Leonard wrote in a statement on Thursday.
This wasn’t an easy decision, but today we will be withdrawing from the Governor’s race.
— Tom Leonard (@TomLeonard28) April 23, 2026
Over the past 10 months, we’ve poured our hearts into this campaign—traveling across the state, meeting incredible people, and talking about what Michigan could be with bold, positive… pic.twitter.com/xDgZ8SB91Z
Leonard launched his campaign in June 2025.
He served in the state Legislature from 2013 to 2018 and was the speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. He also ran for Michigan’s attorney general in 2018 and 2022.
Current Republican candidates running for Michigan’s next governor include former Attorney General Mike Cox, Rep. John James, businessman Perry Johnson, and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.
Democratic candidates running for governor include Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.