There are a few major races that will be on the ballot in Michigan’s 2026 primary election.
Primary Election Day is on Aug. 4, 2026.
--> Your 2026 Michigan primary election voter guide
Races in the primary election include the gubernatorial race, U.S. Senate race, and many U.S. Rep. races.
Read more --> Here’s how to check if you’re registered to vote in Michigan
Here’s a look at the key races:
Gubernatorial race
Current Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited and cannot run again.
The democratic candidates running for governor are Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
The Republican candidates running for governor are U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson.
Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox suspended his campaign a little over two weeks before the primary election, but his name will still appear on the ballot as a Republican candidate.
Local 4’s Ty Steele sat down with the candidates running for governor and discussed a series of hot topics. You can watch the full interviews here --> Full interviews: Hear from 5 candidates running for Michigan governor
(Note: Ty Steele interviewed Mike Cox before he suspended his campaign)
U.S. Senate race
Michigan U.S. Sen. Gary Peters is not running for reelection, making his seat open in the 2026 election.
In the primary election, Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate are U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and epidemiologist Abdul El-Sayed.
Although State Sen. Mallory McMorrow suspended her campaign, her name will still appear on the August ballot.
Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers is the only Republican candidate running for the open U.S. Senate seat.
Democratic candidates interviews --> Flashpoint July 12, 2026: Dem candidates in US Senate talk DTE, election inspectors, Gordie Howe
Interview with Mike Rogers --> Mike Rogers talks Michigan education, manufacturing jobs, Iran conflict
U.S. House
Depending on your district, there will be candidates running for U.S. House seats on the 2026 primary election ballot.
Here’s a look at the races where there are multiple candidates running:
* - incumbent
District 1
- Democratic candidates: Callie Barr, Kyle Blomquist, Wayne Stiles
- Republican candidates: Jack Bergman*, Matthew DenOtter, Justin Michal
District 2
- Democratic candidates: Ben Ambrose, Jamie Hill, Clyde Welford
- Republican candidates: John Moolenaar*
District 3
- Democratic candidates: Hillary Scholten*
- Republican candidates: Ryan Cushman, Terri DeBoer
District 4
- Democratic candidates: Diop Harris, Sean McCann
- Republican candidates: Bill Huizenga*, Phil Tanis
District 7
- Democratic candidates: Bridget Brink, William Lawrence, Matt Massdam
- Republican candidates: Tom Barrett*
District 8
- Democratic candidates: Kristen McDonald Rivet*
- Republican candidates: Amir Hassan, Al Lemmo, Thomas J. Smith
District 10
- Democratic candidates: Eric Chung, Tim Greimel, Christina Hines
- Republican candidates: Michael Bouchard, Steffan Demetropoulos, Justin Kirk, Robert Lulgjuraj
District 11
- Democratic candidates: Aisha Farooqi, Jeremy Moss, John Paul Torres, Don Ufford
- Republican candidates: Ethan Baker
District 12
- Democratic candidates: Shanelle Jackson, Byron Nolen, Rashida Tlaib*
- Republican candidates: James Hooper
District 13
- Democratic candidates: Donovan McKinney, Shri Thanedar*
- Republican candidates: T.P. Nykoriak
You can check which district you reside in by clicking here.
How do I see a sample ballot for the 2026 primary election?
To see your sample ballot for the 2026 August primary election, visit the Michigan Voter Information Center.
Can I vote a “split” ticket in the August primary election?
No. Michigan voters can only vote in one party column and cannot “split” their ticket, meaning to vote in more than one party column, if voting in a presidential or statewide primary.
Voters can “split” their ticket in the November general election. Michigan voters also have the option to vote straight-ticket by selecting the option on the side of their ballot with partisan races. Voting straight ticket does not automatically include selections on the non-partisan side of the ballot.
Do I need to vote the entire ballot?
Michigan voters are not required to vote the entire ballot. You can choose the races or ballot questions you want to vote. Skipping sections on the ballot does not invalidate your ballot.
Races not on August ballot, but will be on November ballot
There are other key races in the 2026 election, but they will not appear on the upcoming August primary election ballot.
The candidates running for Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State were chosen at the Republican and Democratic endorsement conventions earlier in the spring.
Attorney General
The Democratic candidate running for attorney general is Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, and the Republican candidate running is Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd.
Secretary of State
The Democratic candidate running for secretary of state is Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, and the Republican candidate running is Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini.