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Full interviews: Hear from 5 candidates running for Michigan governor

Topics include education, public safety, data centers

(From left to right) Michigan gubernatorial candidates John James, Perry Johnson, Chris Swanson, Mike Cox and Jocelyn Benson (Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.)

Candidates in the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial race, Democrat and Republican, had a chance to talk to Local 4 on their priorities and visions if elected as governor.

U.S. Rep. John James, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Perry Johnson, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and Mike Cox are running for governor.

Swanson and Benson are running as Democrats, while James, Johnson and Cox are running as Republicans.

Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again.

Local 4’s Ty Steele sat down with the five candidates on the ballot for Michigan’s next governor in the upcoming primary election and asked them a series of questions that voters are most concerned about, including education, affordability, economic growth, public safety and data centers.

Michigan’s primary election is on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

You can watch the full interviews below:

Jocelyn Benson (D)

Mike Cox (R)

John James (R)

Perry Johnson (R)

Chris Swanson (D)