Who’s Running for Michigan Governor?

Find out more about the Democratic and Republican candidates running in the August primary.

MI_Election_logo

Eight men and women are seeking the Democratic and Republican nominations to run for Michigan Governor. You can find out more about them below. For tips on watching their debates, click here.

And for where they stand on issues you care about, See Bridge Magazine’s “Where Michigan Governor Candidates Stand” series, which interviews them about specific issues including guns, growing the state’s economy, Medicaid work requirements and infrastructure development.

Detroit Today Host Stephen Henderson has hosted the candidates. Click to listen:

Top GOP Candidates for Governor Join Detroit Today

Top Democratic candidates for Governor Join Detroit Today

 

If you’ve got a question about the 2018 election, ask it here.


 

The Republicans
The Democrats

BRIAN CALLEY

  • Age: 41
  • Elected Experience:  Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, 2012-Present; Michigan House of Representatives, 87th District, 2007-2011
  • Other Experience: Former Vice Chair Ionia County of Board Commissioners
  • Education: Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, Harvard University
  • Campaign Website: Brian Calley for Governor 
  • Twitter: @BrianCalley
  • Facebook: Brian Calley

On WDET:

Calley Launches Bid for GOP Governor Nomination

Calley: Part-Time Legislature Ballot Drive Destined for Court Fight

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley On Push for Part-Time Legislature, Possible Run for Governor

Calley Hints at Run for Governor

PATRICK COLBECK 

On WDET:

GOP Candidate for Governor Patrick Colbeck Discusses Anti-Muslim Remarks

JIM HINES 

  • Age: 63
  • Elected Experience:  None
  • Other Experience: Practicing medical professional; Missionary in Central African Republic running hospitals and urgent care centers
  • Education: Indiana University
  • Campaign Website:   Dr. Jim Hines for Governor
  • Twitter:  @hines4michigan
  • Facebook:  Hines 4 Michigan

BILL SCHUETTE 

  • Age: 64
  • Elected Experience:  Michigan Attorney General, 2011-Present; Michigan Senate, 35th District, 1995-2002; Michigan House of Representative, 10th District, 1985-1991
  • Other Experience: Michigan Court of Appeals, 4th District, 2003-2009; Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture, 1991-1994
  • Education: Georgetown University, University of Aberdeen Scotland, University of San Francisco School of Law
  • Campaign Website: Bill Schuette for Governor
  • Twitter: @SchuetteOnDuty
  • Facebook: Bill Schuette

On WDET:

AG Bill Schuette is Running for Governor – Hear His Detroit Today Interview

AG Bill Schuette Talks Governor’s Race, Support for Trump

 

 

 

WILLIAM COBBS (Write-In)

  • Age: 64
  • Elected Experience: None
  • Other Experience: Former global vice president at Xerox, other executive positions, former president and chair of 100 Blackmen of Detroit, U.S. Navy veteran.
  • Education: University of Michigan, Wayne State University
  • Campaign Website: Bill Cobbs for Governor
  • Twitter:  @BillCobssforMI
  • Facebook: Bill Cobbs

ABDUL EL-SAYED

  • Age: 33
  • Elected Experience: None
  • Other Experience: City of Detroit Health Commissioner; Assistant professor of epidemiology at Columbia University
  • Education: University of Michigan, Oxford Oriel College, Columbia University
  • Campaign Website: Abdul for Michigan
  • Twitter:  @AbdulElSayed
  • Facebook: AbdulforMichigan

On WDET:

Abdul El-Sayed Files Signatures for Governor’s Race Amid Questions of Eligibility

Democratic Candidate for Governor Abdul El-Sayed on Religion and Politics

Former Detroit Health Director Talks About Jumping Into Race for Governor

SHRI THANEDAR

  • Age: 63
  • Elected Experience: None
  • Other Experience: CEO of Avomeen Analytical Services
  • Education: University of Bombay, University of Akron
  • Campaign Website: Shri Thanedar for Governor
  • Twitter:  @ShriForMI
  • Facebook: ShriForMI

GRETCHEN WHITMER

  • Age: 46
  • Elected Experience: Michigan Senate, 23rd District, 2006-2015; Michigan House of Representatives, 69th District, 2003-2006; Michigan House of Representatives, 70th District, 2001-2003
  • Other Experience: Michigan Senate Minority Leader, 2011-2015; Ingham County Prosecutor
  • Education: Michigan State University
  • Campaign Website: Gretchen Whitmer for Governor
  • Twitter:  @GretchenWhitmer
  • Facebook: GretchenWhitmer

On WDET:

Democrat Gretchen Whitmer Looks To Separate Herself in Field of Candidates for Governor

Gretchen Whitmer Talks Jumping Into 2018 Governor’s Race Early

Whitmer To Seek Democratic Party Nod For Governor In 2018

Gretchen Whitmer “Seriously Considering” A Run for Governor in 2018


Here’s what the Detroit Journalism Cooperative partners are publishing and airing as part of an election-year project:

Detroit Public Television: 

MIWeek: Michigan Governor’s Race

Interview Playlists of All Candidates’ Answers by Question Topic

Education
Michigan Roads
The Great Lakes and Water Quality
Tax Policy
Car Insurance
Immigration and Refugees
Government Transparency
Mobility and Transportation
Flint’s Recovery
Marijuana
Redistricting – The Voters Not Politicians Initiative
Leadership and Responsibility
Term Limits

Bridge Magazine

Is FOIA like the Russia probe? And other surprises from Michigan GOP candidates
Where do they stand? The governor candidates and their plans for Michigan
IDs for undocumented workers? And other surprises from Michigan Democrats
Brian Calley: What Michigan could learn from ‘Pissed Off Autism Moms’
Patrick Colbeck: Eliminate income taxes to expand Michigan’s economy, population
Jim Hines: Michigan school problems can’t be solved with money alone
Bill Schuette: Michigan must fix education, lower taxes and car insurance
Abdul El-Sayed: Expand health care, access to education in Michigan
Shri Thanedar: Fix Michigan schools by taxing rich, reforming prisons
Gretchen Whitmer: Grow Michigan by offering debt-free community college

Chalkbeat Detroit

Where candidates for governor in Michigan stand on major education issues

Michigan Radio

Legalizing recreational marijuana divides candidates for Michigan’s next governor

More from WDET

Prepare to Vote: Five Surprising Things From the Governors’ Candidates [VIDEO]

Prepare to Vote: Transit and the Candidates for Michigan Governor [VIDEO, TRANSCRIPTS]

 

WDET Intern Vincent Craig and Wayne State University School of Information Sciences student Mackenzie Fosdick contributed to this post.

Author