Michigan’s race for governor just got a little less crowded.

Former Detroit mayor Mike Duggan has suspended his campaign, leaving Democrats and Republicans to battle it out in a more traditional contest. But whoever wins the election will have major consequences on the state’s relationship with the Trump administration.

Today, The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski has all the details on who’s still in the running to be Michigan’s next governor.

Then, we’ll take a look at three consequential questions that are headed to Michiganders’ ballots this November.

GOP lawmakers grill Rx Kids leaders (Freep): Republican lawmakers questioned Rx Kids leaders about the program’s costs, oversight and eligibility as it expands statewide. Program founder Dr. Mona Hanna said no taxpayer funds go to undocumented immigrants, spending is not monitored directly, and early results suggest the cash assistance program is improving outcomes for moms and babies.

MEA shares concerns over constitutional convention, voucher scheme (The ’Gander): The Michigan Education Association is urging voters to reject a proposed constitutional convention this fall, warning that it could open the door to major changes affecting public schools, labor rights and other constitutional protections.

Lawmaker introduces bill to ban insurance price optimization (MI Advance): A Michigan lawmaker wants to ban “price optimization,” an insurance industry practice that can raise premiums based on a customer’s likelihood of shopping around or switching providers rather than their actual risk.

(The ’Gander TikTok)

Mike Duggan is out. The former Detroit mayor, who left the Democratic Party, courted Trump donors and still tried to sell himself as above the partisan fray, has officially suspended his campaign for governor. His polling was down. His fundraising never materialized, and by his own admission, he had no clear path forward. So he quit.

Now there are two lanes in this race. And the math has shifted. So who’s still standing in the race to become Michigan’s next governor?

On the Democratic side, Jocelyn Benson is the clear frontrunner. She’s locked up major union endorsements, consolidated Democratic support, and spent the last eight years as one of the most visible Democrats in Michigan not named Gretchen Whitmer. And without Duggan siphoning off votes in a three-way race, she just got a much cleaner path to a potential victory in November.

On the Republican side, it’s a four-way race heading into the August primary election. Most polling shows US Representative John James as the frontrunner here. Plus, he’s already earned Trump’s endorsement once, which is basically the only metric that matters for a lot of voters.

Here’s the kicker: Duggan’s exit from this race almost certainly helps Benson. Duggan’s whole campaign was based on this idea that there was a big, middle lane of voters fed up with both parties. Maybe that’s true, but when the stakes get high enough, people tend to pick a side. And in Michigan right now, it appears a lot of voters don’t want to be on the side that’s aligned with the Trump administration. Trump’s approval is still underwater in Michigan. Gas prices are still ridiculously high, and Michiganders are still watching a war play out in Iran that they never signed off on.

Democrats haven’t won every race in that environment. But they did just win a state senate seat in Saginaw with 60% of the vote in a district that Republicans thought was competitive. The wind is at their backs, and now there’s no Duggan in the middle to muddy it up.

So what? Well, Michigan’s 2026 governor’s race is now a clear two-lane highway. Benson or Swanson against whoever Republicans pick this August. And the race matters a lot. The next governor of Michigan will either be fighting against the Trump administration in court, or waving them in. If you don’t know which candidate you support, that’s okay. You’ve got time. But the first thing you need to do is make sure you’re registered to vote.

Get the full picture from Kyle and learn about the other candidates on this week’s so what, Michigan?

Two citizen petition drives are on track to join a rare constitutional convention vote on the November ballot. (Photo Illustration/Canva)

By Kyle Kaminski

Over the last several months, hundreds of thousands of Michiganders have been asked to sign petition drives to change state laws or amend the state Constitution.

Only two of those petitions have gathered enough potential signatures to make the ballot. 

And if the signatures are certified, both of the initiatives could go to a statewide vote on Nov. 3, 2026. Paired with the question of whether Michigan should hold a Constitutional Convention, that means Michiganders could vote on three separate ballot proposals in this year’s election. 

Here’s a quick guide to the three proposals that could be headed your way: 

By Abby Deatrick

Welcome to your weekly roundup of Michigan political events, protests, rallies, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide.

📅 Friday (June 5)

Mallory McMorrow for Michigan: Detroit Canvassing (Detroit, 3:30-5:30 p.m.) — Knock on doors to talk to voters in support of Mallory McMorrow for US Senate.

MoveOn: D-Day Rally for Democracy (Lansing, 4:30-6 p.m.) — Join the D-Day rally to speak out against the Trump administration and honor WWII veterans who fought against fascism.

📅 Saturday (June 6)

MoveOn: Detroit Tailgate Party and Volunteer for Abdul El-Sayed (Detroit, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.) — Gather at the tailgate party to connect, grab some swag, and then head out to volunteer in support of Abdul El-Sayed for US Senate. 

Red Wine & Blue: Saginaw’s Second Annual Wear Orange Event (Saginaw, 12-3 p.m.) — Enjoy music, guest speakers, local vendors, resources, and activities for all ages at the Second Annual Wear Orange event in honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Day. The event will kick off at 12 p.m. with a welcome, followed by a community march at 12:15 p.m., and ending with time to connect.

📅 Sunday (June 7)

The People’s Coalition: March at Motor City Pride (Detroit, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.) — Show your support for the LGBTQ+ community by marching with The People’s Coalition at Motor City Pride in Detroit. 

Good Trouble Indivisible: Project 2025: What’s Happening, What’s Next, How it Affects Us All (Douglas 1-3 p.m.) — Learn more about Project 2025 through this interactive community workshop series, breaking down what it says, what is already happening, and what may be coming next.

📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ’Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.

📬 Was this forwarded to you? Sign up to get This Week in Michigan Politics in your inbox every week.

We’ve got a very Michigan giveaway just for you.

One lucky reader will win a vintage Vernors can lamp. To enter, just recommend a few friends who might enjoy The ’Gander. If they sign up, they’ll be entered, too.

Yep, it’s that simple. What are you waiting for?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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