Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

Elections in Michigan, 2022

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← 2018
Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 19, 2022
Primary: August 2, 2022 General: November 8, 2022 Pre-election incumbent(s): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (Democratic) Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II (Democratic)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Michigan
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Lean Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
Federal and state primary competitiveness State executive elections in 2022 Impact of term limits in 2022 State government trifectas State government triplexes Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2022
Michigan executive elections
Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Secretary of State State Board of Education (2 seats) University of Michigan Board of Regents (2 seats) Michigan State University Board of Trustees (2 seats) Wayne State University Board of Governors (2 seats)

Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer (D) defeated Tudor Dixon (R) and five other candidates in the general election for governor of Michigan on November 8, 2022.

Whitmer was first elected governor in 2018. She was a member of the state House from 2001 to 2006 and the state Senate from 2006 to 2015. Whitmer ran on her record, saying she "created jobs, led the way for business investment, moved dirt to fix the damn roads, and invested in education."

Dixon worked in steel sales from 2002 to 2017 before entering news media and working as an anchor for America's Voice News. Dixon said she was "running for governor to get us back on track." She said she would create a "family-friendly Michigan, one with good careers, better schools, safe communities, and ... roads you can actually drive on."

Whitmer won the office in 2018 after defeating Attorney General Bill Schuette (R) 53% to 44%. Whitmer succeeded Rick Snyder (R), switching partisan control of the governorship to Democrats, who held the office from 2002 to 2010.

In the 2020 presidential election, Michigan was one of five states that voted for Joe Biden (D) after voting for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Trump's 2016 win in the state was the first time Michigan supported a Republican for president since 1988. In 2016, Trump won Michigan by a margin of 0.3 percentage points. Biden won Michigan by 2.8 percentage points in 2020.

By winning re-election, Whitmer became Michigan's first governor elected from the same party as the sitting president since 1990. Between 1994 and 2018, Michiganders elected governors from the opposite party as the sitting president. In 1990, voters elected John Engler (R) during the presidency of George H.W. Bush (R). The last time a Michigan governor lost re-election to a second term in office was in 1962, when Gov. John Swainson (D) lost his first re-election bid to George Romney (R).

Whitmer’s win resulted in Michigan becoming a Democratic trifecta, as Democrats gained a majority in the state House of Representatives and won at least 19 seats in the state Senate. Previously, it had divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and Republicans controlling both chambers of the state legislature. Between 1992 and 2022, Michigan had a divided government for 17 years and a Republican trifecta for the remaining 14.

Kevin Hogan (G), Mary Buzuma (L), Daryl Simpson (Natural Law), Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers), and Evan Space (I) also ran in the general election. Minor party and independent candidates collectively received 3.6% of the vote in 2018.

Kevin Hogan (G), Mary Buzuma (L), and Daryl Simpson (Natural Law Party) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

In Michigan, major and minor party lieutenant gubernatorial nominees are chosen at party conventions and run on a joint ticket with the gubernatorial nominee. Click [show] on the table below to view each ticket.

Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial tickets, 2022
Party	Gubernatorial candidate	Lieutenant gubernatorial running-mate
Democratic Party	Gretchen Whitmer (i)	Garlin Gilchrist II (i)
Republican Party	Tudor Dixon	Shane Hernandez
Green Party	Kevin Hogan	Destiny Clayton
Libertarian Party	Mary Buzuma	Brian Ellison
Natural Law Party	Daryl Simpson	Doug Dern
U.S. Taxpayers Party	Donna Brandenburg	Mellissa Carone
Independent	Evan Space	TBD

This was one of 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2022. The governor serves as a state's top executive official and is the only executive office that is elected in all 50 states. There are currently 28 Republican governors and 22 Democratic governors. Click here for an overview of all 36 gubernatorial elections taking place in 2022.

This page focuses on Michigan's gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial general election. For more in-depth information on Michigan's Democratic and Republican gubernatorial primaries, see the following pages:

• Michigan gubernatorial election, 2022 (August 2 Democratic primary)
• Michigan gubernatorial election, 2022 (August 2 Republican primary)

Election news

This section includes a timeline of events leading up to the election.

• Election news (January-November 2022)
  • Nov. 7, 2022: The Trafalgar Group released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 49% of respondents with 48% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.9 percentage points.

  • Nov. 5, 2022: Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 50% of respondents with 47% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.5 percentage points.

  • Nov. 4, 2022: Mitchell Research & Communications released a poll on behalf of the Michigan Information & Research Service that found Whitmer receiving support from 50% of respondents with 48% supporting Dixon. Two percent were undecided. The margin of error was ± 3.8 percentage points.

  • Nov. 3, 2022:
    • Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 50% of respondents with 46% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.3 percentage points.
    • EPIC-MRA released a poll conducted on behalf of Detroit Free Press that found Whitmer receiving support from 54% of respondents with 43% supporting Dixon. Three percent of respondents were voting for a minor party candidate, undecided, or refused to say.

  • Nov. 2, 2022: Emerson College released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 51% of the respondents with 46% supporting Dixon. Two percent of respondents supported a minor party candidate. The margin of error was ± 3.2 percentage points.

  • Nov. 1, 2022: Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 51% of respondents with 45% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.5 percentage points.

  • Oct. 31, 2022:
    • The Glengariff Group released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 52% of respondents with 43% supporting Dixon. No categories were provided for the remaining 5% of respondents. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.
    • Insider Advantage released a poll that found Whitmer and Dixon both receiving support from 45% of respondents. Five percent supported a minor party candidate and 5% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.2 percentage points.

  • Oct. 30, 2022:
    • Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 51% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.5 percentage points.
    • KAConsulting released a poll conducted on behalf of Citizens United that found Whitmer receiving support from 48% of respondents with 41% supporting Dixon. Five percent supported another candidate or refused to answer and 7% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.4 percentage points.
    • Wick released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 49% of respondents and 47% supporting Dixon. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 3.2 percentage points.

  • Oct. 28, 2022: Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 51% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Three percent supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.3 percentage points.

  • Oct. 26, 2022: Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 51% of respondents with 45% supporting Dixon. Three percent supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.3 percentage points.

  • Oct. 25, 2022: Whitmer and Dixon participated in a debate hosted by WXYZ, Fox 17, & Fox 47.

  • Oct. 24, 2022:
    • Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 50% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Three percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.6 percentage points.
    • SSRS released a poll of 651 likely voters conducted on behalf of CNN that found Whiter receiving support from 52% of respondents and 46% supporting Dixon. Two percent of respondents supported neither candidate. The margin of error was ± 4.9 percentage points. The pollster also released results from a poll of registered voters that can be found here.
    • Former U.S. President Barack Obama (D) endorsed Whitmer.

  • Oct. 23, 2022: The Trafalgar Group poll conducted on behalf of Michigan News Source that found Whitmer and Dixon tied at 48%. Two percent of respondents supported a minor party candidate and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.9 percentage points.

  • Oct. 22, 2022: Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 50% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Three percent supported a minor party candidate and 4% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.3 percentage points.

  • Oct. 20, 2022:
    • Cygnal released a poll that found Whitmer receiving support from 49% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Three percent supported a minor party candidate and 4% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.3 percentage points.
    • Mitchell Research & Communications released a poll on behalf of the Michigan Information & Research Service that found Whitmer receiving support from 49% of respondents and 47% supporting Dixon. One percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.2 percentage points.

  • Oct. 19, 2022:
    • Wick released a poll that found Dixon receiving support from 48% of respondents and 47% supporting Whitmer. Two percent supported a minor party candidate and 3% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 3.1 percentage points.
    • The Detroit News endorsed Dixon.

  • Oct. 18, 2022: Emerson College released a poll that found Whitmer supported by 49% of respondents with 44% supporting Dixon. Three percent of respondents supported a minor party candidate and 4% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.0.

  • Oct. 17, 2022: Cygnal released a poll conducted on behalf of the Michigan Assoc. of Broadcasters and White Law PLLC that found Whitmer supported by 48% of respondents and 44% supporting Dixon. The margin of error was ± 3.9 percentage points.

  • Oct. 13, 2022:
    • Whitmer and Dixon participated in a debate hosted by WOOD TV 8.
    • EPIC-MRA released a poll conducted on behalf of Detroit Free Press that found Whitmer supported by 49% of respondents with 38% supporting Dixon. Four percent of respondents supported a minor party candidate and 9% were undecided or refused to answer. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.
    • Insider Advantage released a poll conducted on behalf of American Greatness that found Whitmer and Dixon both supported by 44% of respondents. Six percent of respondents supported a minor party candidate and 7% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.2 percentage points.

  • Oct. 9, 2022: YouGov released a poll conducted on behalf of CBS News that found Whitmer supported by 53% of respondents and 47% supporting Dixon. The margin of error was ± 3.6 percentage points.

  • Oct. 3, 2022: Glengariff Group released a poll conducted on behalf of WDIV and The Detroit News that found Whitmer supported by 50% of respondents and 32% supporting Dixon. Six percent of respondents said they would vote for some other candidate and 12% were undecided or refused to answer. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • Oct. 2, 2022: Detroit Free Press endorsed Whitmer.

  • Sept. 30, 2022: The Trafalgar Group released a poll conducted on behalf of Michigan News Source that found Whitmer supported by 51% of respondents and 45% supporting Dixon. Collectively, 4% of respondents said they would vote for some other candidate and 1% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.9 percentage points.

  • Sept. 29, 2022: The Cook Political Report changed its race rating for the gubernatorial election from Lean Democratic to Likely Democratic.

  • Sept. 28, 2022: Sabato's Crystal Ball changed its race rating for the gubernatorial election from Lean Democratic to Likely Democratic.

  • Sept. 23, 2022: The Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) endorsed Whitmer, the first time since 1990 the group had endorsed a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. MMA endorsed Whitmer's opponent, Bill Schuette (R), in 2018.

  • Sept. 22, 2022: EPIC-MRA released a poll conducted on behalf of Detroit Free Press that found Whitmer supported by 55% of respondents with 39% supporting Dixon. Six percent of respondents were undecided or refused to answer. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • Sept. 14, 2022: U.S. President Joe Biden (D) endorsed Whitmer.

  • Sept. 12, 2022: Whitmer released a list of endorsements from state Republicans, including seven former officeholders: U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, state Sens. Mel Larsen and Tory Rocca, and state Reps. Dennis Cawthorne, Doug Hart, Mickey Knight, and Mike Pumford.

  • Sept. 6, 2022: Glengariff Group released a poll conducted on behalf of WDIV and The Detroit News that found Whitmer supported by 48% of respondents with 35% supporting Dixon. Collectively, 4% of respondents said they would vote for some other candidate and 13% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • Sept. 1, 2022: Candidates filed post-primary campaign finance reports, which showed Whitmer with $5.9 million on hand, Dixon with $522,144, and Brandenburg with $10,859. No campaign finance data was available for other candidates.

  • Aug. 26, 2022:
    • The Trafalgar Group released a poll conducted on behalf of Michigan News Source that found Whitmer supported by 49% of respondents followed by Dixon with 45% and Buzuma with 2%. No other candidates were listed, though 1% of respondents indicated they would support someone else and 2% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 2.9 percentage points.
    • EPIC-MRA released a poll that found Whitmer supported by 50% of respondents with 39% supporting Dixon. No other candidates were listed. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • Aug. 18, 2022:
    • Blueprint Strategies released a poll that found Whitmer supported by 51% of respondents with 39% supporting Dixon. No other candidates were listed, though 3% of respondents indicated they would support someone else and 8% were undecided. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.
    • Fabrizio Ward and Impact Research released a poll conducted on behalf of AARP that found Whitmer supported by 51% of respondents with 46% supporting Dixon. No other candidates were listed. The margin of error was ± 4.4 percentage points.

  • Aug. 3, 2022: Put Michigan First, a group associated with the Democratic Governors Association, began a $4 million ad campaign opposing Dixon.

  • Aug. 2, 2022: Whitmer, who was unopposed, advanced from the Democratic primary. Dixon defeated seven other candidates to advance from the Republican primary.

  • July 29, 2022: Former President Donald Trump (R) endorsed Dixon.

  • July 13, 2022: Glengariff Group released a poll conducted on behalf of WDIV and Detroit News that found Whitmer supported by 51% of respondents with 40% supporting Dixon. This was hypothetical polling conducted before the state's primary elections on Aug. 2. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • May 31, 2022: Target Insyght released a poll conducted on behalf of the Michigan Information & Research Service that found Whitmer supported by 58% of respondents with 21% supporting Dixon and 21% undecided. This was hypothetical polling conducted before the state's primary elections on Aug. 2. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

  • Jan. 11, 2022: Glengariff Group released a poll conducted on behalf of WDIV and Detroit News that found Whitmer supported by 50% of respondents with 31% supporting Dixon and 18% undecided. This was hypothetical polling conducted before the state's primary elections on Aug. 2. The margin of error was ± 4.0 percentage points.

Candidates and election results

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer (D)	54.5	2,430,505
		Tudor Dixon (R)	43.9	1,960,635
		Mary Buzuma (L)	0.9	38,800
		Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.4	16,246
		Kevin Hogan (G)	0.2	10,766
		Daryl Simpson (Natural Law Party)	0.1	4,973
		Evan Space (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	26
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	21

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,461,972
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan

Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer	100.0	938,382

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 938,382
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Articia Bomer (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tudor Dixon	39.7	436,350
		Kevin Rinke	21.5	236,306
		Garrett Soldano	17.5	192,442
		Ryan Kelley	15.1	165,587
		Ralph Rebandt	4.1	45,046
		James Craig (Write-in)	2.1	23,521
		Elizabeth Adkisson (Write-in)	0.0	11
		Justin Blackburn (Write-in)	0.0	10

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,099,273
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Perry Johnson (R)
• Michael Markey Jr. (R)
• Bob Scott (R)
• Austin Chenge (R)
• Michael Brown (R)
• Donna Brandenburg (R)

Green convention

Green convention for Governor of Michigan

Kevin Hogan advanced from the Green convention for Governor of Michigan on April 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Kevin Hogan (G)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of Michigan

Mary Buzuma advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Michigan on July 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Mary Buzuma (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Governor of Michigan

Donna Brandenburg advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Governor of Michigan on July 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers Party)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Lieutenant Governor

Click "Show more" to view lieutenant gubernatorial candidate information.

Show more

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Garlin Gilchrist II (D)	54.5	2,430,505
		Shane Hernandez (R)	43.9	1,960,635
		Brian Ellison (L)	0.9	38,800
		Mellissa Carone (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.4	16,246
		Destiny Clayton (G)	0.2	10,766
		Doug Dern (Natural Law Party)	0.1	4,973
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	47

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,461,972
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Incumbent Garlin Gilchrist II advanced from the Democratic convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on August 21, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Garlin Gilchrist II (D)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Shane Hernandez advanced from the Republican convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on August 27, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Shane Hernandez (R)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Green convention

Green convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Destiny Clayton advanced from the Green convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on April 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Destiny Clayton (G)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Brian Ellison advanced from the Libertarian convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on July 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Brian Ellison (L)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

Mellissa Carone advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on July 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Mellissa Carone (U.S. Taxpayers Party)

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Michigan

Election information in Michigan: Nov. 8, 2022, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
• By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 24, 2022
• Online: Oct. 24, 2022

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 7, 2022
• By mail: Received by Nov. 4, 2022
• Online: Nov. 4, 2022

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 8, 2022
• By mail: Received by Nov. 8, 2022

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 29, 2022 to Nov. 7, 2022

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff compiled a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Gretchen Whitmer

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: 

• Governor of Michigan (Assumed office: 2019)
• Ingham County Prosecutor (2016)
• Michigan State Senate District 23 (2006-2015)
• Michigan House of Representatives District 69 (2003-2006)
• Michigan House of Representatives District 70 (2001-2003)

Biography:  Whitmer received a bachelor's degree in communications and a law degree from Michigan State University in 1993 and 1998, respectively. Whitmer worked as an attorney and college lecturer. At the time of the general election, Whitmer was a vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Whitmer highlighted her experience as governor, saying she "has created jobs, led the way for business investment, moved dirt to fix the damn roads, and invested in education."

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Whitmer said she "will work with anyone to get things done for Michiganders," saying, "every single bill she has signed ... has been bipartisan, and she's willing to sit down with anyone to solve problems and help people."

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Whitmer said she "is a champion for a woman's right to choose, because ... the decision to start a family shouldn't be made by a politician," adding that she would stop Michigan's 1931 law prohibiting abortions from going into effect.

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Show sources

Sources: Gretchen Whitmer's 2022 campaign website, "Home," accessed Aug. 26, 2022, Gretchen Whitmer's 2022 campaign website, "Accomplishments," accessed Aug. 26, 2022; LinkedIn, "Gretchen Whitmer," accessed Aug. 26, 2022, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to give SOTU repsonse: What to know about her," Feb. 4, 2020, mLive, "Biden picks Whitmer for DNC vice chair," Jan. 14, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Michigan in 2022.

Tudor Dixon

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Dixon received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Kentucky in 1998. From 2002 to 2017, Dixon worked in steel sales. In 2017, Dixon began working in news media, including a role as news anchor for America's Voice News.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Dixon said she would create a "family-friendly Michigan, one with good careers, better schools, safe communities, and ... roads you can actually drive on."

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Dixon said, "I'm running for governor to get us back on track," adding, "I want the government to give you the tools you need to build your own American dream, and then get out of the way so you can."

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Dixon criticized said she would "hold Gretchen Whitmer accountable for the pain she's inflicted on each of us during the past four years," referencing Whitmer's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Show sources

Sources: YouTube, "Hope," May 27, 2021, Facebook, "Tudor Dixon," Aug. 19, 2022; LinkedIn, "Tudor Dixon," accessed June 28, 2022

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Michigan in 2022.

Mary Buzuma

Party: Libertarian Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I’ve lived a life of service. After graduating from Kalamazoo College, I enlisted in the US Navy where I served for 26 years in Naval intelligence. In the Navy I learned leadership and became a team player. I developed a deeper appreciation of the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; because in the Navy I lived and traveled to where these rights do not exist. Our current two party system is a threat to liberty. As a Libertarian this is a problem that is very troubling. The two major parties have partisan incentives that undermine things that we the people care deeply about: constitutional limits on government power, checks and balances, liberal norms, and a disgust to the tyranny of the majority. You know how to live your life and you don’t need politicians or bureaucrats to tell you how to live it. "

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Support a parent's right to choose how to educate their children.

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Support the taxpayer's right to choose how to spend their hard earned money.

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Support the right to choose how to best take care of your medical needs.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Michigan in 2022.

Kevin Hogan

Party: Green Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I'm Kevin Hogan, a proud product (son) of a matriarch as such I strongly support women's equality. And I strongly support the LGBTQI (+) Community's equality! As a Biochemist, I worked at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and Wayne State University in Detroit: two of my publications are in the field of Immunology so between school and work I have knowledge and experience with viruses and vaccines. My knowledge and experience with viruses and vaccines is vital to ending The Gretchen Whitmer COVID19 Pandemic and NOT allowing it to become an endemic like the flu."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I believe in freedom with responsibility, our bodies our decisions with free health care.

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I strongly believe in Women's Equality and the LGBTQI(+)'s Equality; I'm against bigotry and, in general, wrongful discrimination.

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I believe in a Free Education System. A more education population will have less violence, less crime.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Michigan in 2022.

Daryl Simpson

Party: Natural Law Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "My name is Daryl Simpson, I am running for Governor of the great state of Michigan. I was born in flint, I turn 40 this year, and I believe I am the person for the job. I am a political science student at Mott Community College. I am a serial entrepreneur, I was in film and television, did millions in revenue at my own business, then I helped grow the larger pro wrestling company in the state. Currently I am a real estate agent and a pharmaceutical delivery driver. I’ve been homeless, I’ve been in jail, I’ve been divorced, but… I’ve never given up, never failed my children, and I always find a way. I am a problem solver and a go-getter… I am your next Governor."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Grow our economy, gradually eliminate and replace the income tax and make day to day life better for everyone in the state.

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Our children need better educations and better learning environments. The brain drain continues as we lost talent to other states.

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Logical, common sense approach to every issue.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Governor of Michigan in 2022.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Mary Buzuma (L)

Support a parent's right to choose how to educate their children.

Support the taxpayer's right to choose how to spend their hard earned money.

Support the right to choose how to best take care of your medical needs.

Kevin Hogan (G)

I believe in freedom with responsibility, our bodies our decisions with free health care.

I strongly believe in Women's Equality and the LGBTQI(+)'s Equality; I'm against bigotry and, in general, wrongful discrimination.

I believe in a Free Education System. A more education population will have less violence, less crime.

Daryl Simpson (Natural Law)

Grow our economy, gradually eliminate and replace the income tax and make day to day life better for everyone in the state.

Our children need better educations and better learning environments. The brain drain continues as we lost talent to other states.

Logical, common sense approach to every issue.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Mary Buzuma (L)

Education. A good education floats all boats. It helps people make better choices or to get a good job. No where am I more disappointed in the two major parties than in education. Every year for decades the taxpayer is forced to forego larger and larger portions of their tax money to public education and yet education hasn’t improved. Every year students, particularly those with special needs or from lower income families fall farther and farther behind. Throwing more money at public education will not improve it – competition will. Competition through schools of choice. Home schools, charter schools, private schools, virtual schools, learning pods, micro schools, etc. However, every parent who chooses these options is punished. Why? Because state law and rules are entrenched in a one-size fits all, brick and mortar approach to schooling that continue to thwart innovation and creativity. I support a student opportunity scholarship program. This program is not a voucher. It is private money donated to non-profit organizations that distribute scholarships to children with parents controlling the funds. The scholarships would help parents meet their children’s unique academic needs with instruction, materials and services which may not available to them in the public school system. Donors would receive a dollar per dollar state income tax credit, until the $500 million cap is reached.

Kevin Hogan (G)

01. Institutionalized bigotry. It is a government of the people, by the people but not for all the people.

02. Democracy. We do not have a democracy. We have or they have us in a republic. 03. Education. It is public policy that administrator wrongly establish curriculum. 04. Environment. It is public policy to procrastinate taking corrective measures beyond simply reducing carbon emissions regarding global warming. 05. Animal Rights. It is public policy to treat other animals as less than; not deserving rights! 06. Disabilities and Veterans. It is public policy to ignore people with disabilities including veterans. 07. Economy. In her commercial Gretchen Whitmer tells us that she CANNOT do anything about inflation. Yes, there are things that an executive can do! 08. Transparency. It is public policy to hide information from the public. 09.Taxes. It is public policy to have loopholes in tax laws.

10. The above areas are not listed in their importance to me, THEY ALL MATTER TO ME GREATLY!

Daryl Simpson (Natural Law)

TBA.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Mary Buzuma (L)

My father. He was an architect. He was talented, hard working, intelligent and he loved his family. He was a Navy man and inspired my career in the Navy. He instilled in me a life long love of reading, that learning doesn't always come from a classroom and to always do my best. Although we didn't always agree on things there's one thing I've come to appreciate: The older I got the smarter he became. He also had a very dry sense of humor that I inherited.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Mary Buzuma (L)

Honesty, transparency, integrity, open to new ideas, humility and a sense of humor.

Kevin Hogan (G)

Honesty. Hard Working. Accomplishment. Transparency. Compassion.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Kevin Hogan (G)

I'm honest, hardworking, and compassionate.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Kevin Hogan (G)

I made sweeping changes for the betterment of all of us.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Mary Buzuma (L)

"Sheena Is A Punk Rocker" by the Ramones,

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Mary Buzuma (L)

For the past 3 years I was the principal caregiver to my mother who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Dementia (AD). The isolation imposed by the lockdown made it even more difficult as outside help was shutdown. It’s said that memory loss is a kind of death and AD is a slow death. To watch someone who was vibrant, intelligent and social slowly fade away was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. God took mercy and called her home in January of this year.

Kevin Hogan (G)

Institutionalize bigotry, bigotry. The hate and intentional destruction of my people's way of life on our own land by a hypocritical government and hypocritical people. I told you I was honest.

A governor is the top executive authority in his or her state. What does that mean do you?

Kevin Hogan (G)

It means that I'm responsible. I'm responsible for ending The Gretchen Whitmer COVID19 Pandemic and preventing it from becoming an endemic. I'm responsible for my subordinates. I'm responsible for revitalizing the economy; for inflation. I'm responsible for improving our standard of living. I'm responsible for Flint's clean water. I'm responsible for Flooding of the River Rouge River; the Ecorse Creek; the highways. I'm responsible for the elderly that have no heat in the winter in their residencies. I'm responsible for the homeless that freeze to death every winter. I'm responsible for ...!

Governors have many responsibilities, which vary from state to state. Which of those do you personally consider the most important in your state?

Mary Buzuma (L)

Providing leadership for all state agencies and departments. Submit an annual budget. Influencing the legislative agenda, particularly the budget deliberations

Kevin Hogan (G)

See above..."most important", hmm: life threatening, immediate harm. So, from above, I would go with ending The Gretchen Whitmer COVID19 Pandemic and heating residencies, homelessness, feeding the financially poor and providing clean water and food. After all, clean water is a basic human right - a long time belief of the Green Party! Kevin Hogan, The Next Michigan Governor - Green Party!

Different states require governors to have different degrees of responsibility for the state budgeting process. If it were your choice, what do you believe is the appropriate degree of gubernatorial involvement with this process in your state?

Kevin Hogan (G)

In Michigan, the governor puts out his or her own budget plan. I think this is appropriate... .

In most states, governors have the power to make line-item vetoes. If that is true in your state, what would be your philosophy for how and when to use this power?

Mary Buzuma (L)

In Michigan the governor’s power to line-item veto is for appropriation bills. Michigan needs sound economic policies that benefit everyone not just the politically well connected. I would line-item veto everything that involves corporate welfare. Our politicians’ bipartisan schemes to pick winners and losers for the benefit of all harms the economic freedom of the people who elected it.

Kevin Hogan (G)

Well, since I would be responsible for everything. It seems fair for me as Kevin Hogan, The Next Michigan Governor - Green Party to make the final changes (line-item vetoes) after final negotiations with the state legislature giving them a chance to hear what I would veto. Transparency.

If the governor's office in your state does not have the line-item veto power, do you believe it should? Why or why not?

Kevin Hogan (G)

Yes. Because the Governor is responsible for the final results or lack of results. Gretchen Whitmer is responsible for the 38,000 (according to Johns Hopkins) Michiganians that have died from The Gretchen Whitmer COVID19 Pandemic. (And, I still want to know how many Michiganian children have died from The Gretchen Whitmer COVID19 Pandemic especially since Gretchen Whitmer opened the classrooms to children.)

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Kevin Hogan (G)

A third political party Governor to listen fairly to the Republicans and Democrats. I am Kevin Hogan, The Next Michigan Governor - Green Party (a 3rd Party Tie Breaker).

What do you love most about your state?

Kevin Hogan (G)

The land, air, and water: Pure Michigan.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Kevin Hogan (G)

Institutionalize bigotry and Infrastructure. Infrastructure is worsening every day. Michigan is behind the 8 ball in that after the recent insufficient federal influx of money is gone, Michigan will go back to insufficient funding per year to fix the failed Gretchen Whitmer damn roads, bridges, dams, etc.

Under what circumstances should the governor of your state be able to use emergency powers?

Mary Buzuma (L)

Mostly during natural disasters. Calling a state of emergency directs assistance from state agencies, federal agencies and national guard to the affected area. They are limited in scope and do not present a threat to civil liberties or constitutional separation of powers. A key lesson from the COVID-19 response that I learned is that public officials will stretch these emergency powers as far as they can. I will work with the legislature in reforming these laws and placing guardrails around them.

Kevin Hogan (G)

Depends, as a published biochemist I would have been qualified to use emergency power relative to COVID19. But clearly Gretchen Whitmer was way, way, way out of her league and should have let the decisions relative to COVID19 be made by the Department of Health. Gretchen Whitmer's ego would not let her share decision making with the Department of Health.

Campaign advertisements

This section includes a selection of up to three campaign advertisements per candidate released in this race, as well as links to candidates' YouTube, Vimeo, and/or Facebook video pages. If you are aware of other links that should be included, please email us.

Gretchen Whitmer

Nov. 1, 2022

Nov. 1, 2022

Nov. 1, 2022

View more ads here:

• YouTube
• Facebook

Tudor Dixon

Oct. 25, 2022

May 27, 2021

View more ads here:

• YouTube
• Facebook

Satellite ads

This section includes a selection of campaign advertisements released by satellite groups. If you are aware of other satellite ads that should be included, please email us.

Michigan Families United

As of July 2022, Michigan Families United had spent $1.9 million on media production and placement of ads supporting Dixon. A selection of those ads is included below:

Aug. 24, 2022

July 28, 2022

June 9, 2022

View more ads here:

• YouTube
• Vimeo

Michigan Strong

Michigan Strong spent $300,000 on ads ahead of the Aug. 2 Republican primary, including an ad supporting Dixon. That ad is included below:

July 22, 2022

View more ads here:

• YouTube

Put Michigan First

Put Michigan First, a group affiliated with the Democratic Governors Association, spent $6 million on ads opposing Dixon. A selection of those ads is included below:

Nov. 1, 2022

Oct. 24, 2022

Aug. 17, 2022

Aug. 3, 2022

View more ads here:

• YouTube

Save Michigan PAC

Save Michigan PAC, a group affiliated with former gubernatorial candidate Michael Markey Jr. (R), spent $103,000 on the placement of ads supporting Dixon on July 27, 2022. That ad is included below:

July 26, 2022

View more ads here:

• YouTube

Debates and forums

This section includes links to debates, forums, and other similar events where multiple candidates in this race participated. If you are aware of any debates or forums that should be included, please email us.

October 25 debate

On Oct. 25, 2022, Whitmer and Dixon participated in a debate hosted by WXYZ, Fox 17, & Fox 47.

• Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

• Associated Press
• Axios
• Bridge Michigan
• Click On Detroit
• CNN
• Detroit Free Press
• The Detroit News
• mLive
• The New York Times
• USA Today
• WXYZ

October 13 debate

On Oct. 13, 2022, Whitmer and Dixon participated in a debate hosted by WOOD TV 8.

• Click here to watch a recording of the event

Click on the links below for summaries of the event:

• Associated Press
• Bridge Michigan
• Click On Detroit
• CNN
• Detroit Free Press
• The Detroit News
• The New York Times
• Politico
• WOOD TV 8

Election competitiveness

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

Polls are conducted with a variety of methodologies and have margins of error or credibility intervals. The Pew Research Center wrote, "A margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level means that if we fielded the same survey 100 times, we would expect the result to be within 3 percentage points of the true population value 95 of those times." For tips on reading polls from FiveThirtyEight, click here. For tips from Pew, click here.

Below we provide results for polls that are included in polling aggregation from FiveThirtyEight and RealClearPolitics, when available. Click here to read about FiveThirtyEight's criteria for including polls in its aggregation. We only report polls for which we can find a margin of error or credibility interval.

Michigan gubernatorial election, 2022: general election polls
Poll	Date	Whitmer	Dixon	Hogan	Buzuma	Simpson	Brandenburg	Space	Undecided/Other	Margin of error	Sample size	Sponsor
The Trafalgar Group	Nov. 5-7, 2022	49%	48%	--	1%	--	--	--	3%	± 2.9	1,097 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Nov. 1-4, 2022	50%	47%	--	--	--	--	--	4%	± 2.5	1,603 LV	N/A
Mitchell Research & Communications	Nov. 3, 2022	50%	48%	--	--	--	--	--	2%	± 3.8	658 LV	MIRS
Cygnal	Oct. 31 - Nov. 2, 2022	50%	46%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 2.3	1,754 LV	N/A
EPIC-MRA	Oct 28 - Nov. 1	54%	43%	--	--	--	--	--	3%	± 4.0	600 LV	Detroit Free Press

Click [show] to see older poll results
Poll	Date	Whitmer	Dixon	Hogan	Buzuma	Simpson	Brandenburg	Space	Undecided/Other	Margin of error	Sample size	Sponsor
Emerson College	Oct. 28-31, 2022	51%	46%	1%	1%	0%	0%	--	0%	± 3.2	900 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 27-31, 2022	51%	45%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 2.5	1,584 LV	N/A
Insider Advantage	Oct. 30, 2022	45%	45%	2%	2%	--	--	--	6%	± 4.2	550 LV	American Greatness
The Glengariff Group	Oct. 26-28, 2022	52%	43%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 4.0	600 LV	WDIV/The Detroit News
Wick	Oct. 26-30, 2022	49%	47%	--	--	--	--	--	4%	± 3.2	1,137 LV	N/A
KAConsulting	Oct. 27-29, 2022	48%	41%	--	--	--	--	--	12%	± 4.4	501 LV	Citizens United
Cygnal	Oct. 25-29, 2022	51%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 2.5	1,543 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 23-27, 2022	51%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 2.3	1,822 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 21-25, 2022	51%	45%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 2.6	1,378 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 19-23, 2022	50%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	6%	± 2.6	1,459 LV	N/A
The Trafalgar Group	Oct. 18-21, 2022	48%	48%	--	2%	--	--	--	2%	± 2.9	1,079 LV	Michigan News Source
Cygnal	Oct. 17-21, 2022	50%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	7%	± 2.3	1,904 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 15 - 19, 2022	49%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	7%	± 2.3	1,793 LV	N/A
Mitchell Research & Communications	Oct. 19, 2022	49%	47%	--	--	--	--	--	4%	± 4.2	541 LV	MIRS
SSRS	Oct. 13-18, 2022	52%	46%	--	--	--	--	--	2%	± 4.9	651 LV	CNN
		55%	41%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	863 RV	± 4.2
Wick	Oct. 8-14, 2022	47%	48%	--	--	--	--	--	5%	± 3.1	1,136 LV	N/A
Emerson College	Oct. 12 - 14, 2022	49%	44%	0%	1%	--	2%	--	4%	± 4.0	580 LV	N/A
Cygnal	Oct. 12 - 14, 2022	48%	44%	--	--	--	--	--	8%	± 3.9	640 LV	Michigan Assoc. of Broadcasters/ White Law PLLC
EPIC-MRA	Oct. 6 - 12, 2022	49%	38%	--	--	--	--	--	13%	± 4.0	600 LV	Detroit Free Press
Insider Advantage	Oct. 11 - 12, 2022	44%	44%	2%	3%	--	--	--	8%	± 4.2	550 LV	American Greatness
YouGov	Oct. 3 - 6, 2022	53%	47%	--	--	--	--	--	0%	± 3.6	1,285 RV	CBS News
Glengariff Group	Sept. 26 - 29, 2022	50%	32%	--	--	--	--	--	18%	± 4.0	600 LV	WDIV/The Detroit News
The Trafalgar Group	Sept. 24 - 28, 2022	51%	45%	--	3%	--	--	--	2%	± 2.9	1,075 LV	Michigan News Source
EPIC-MRA	Sept. 15 - 19, 2022	55%	39%	--	--	--	--	--	6%	± 4.0	600 LV	Detroit Free Press
Glengariff Group	Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2022	48%	35%	1%	3%	1%	1%	--	13%	± 4.0	600 LV	WDIV/The Detroit News
The Trafalgar Group	Aug. 22-25, 2022	49%	45%	--	2%	--	--	--	4%	± 2.9	1,080 LV	Michigan News Source
EPIC-MRA	Aug. 18-23, 2022	50%	39%	--	--	--	--	--	--	± 4.0	600 LV	N/A
Blueprint Strategies	Aug. 15-16, 2022	51%	39%	--	--	--	--	--	11%	± 4.0	611 LV	N/A
Fabrizio Ward/Impact Research	Aug. 8-14, 2022	51%	46%	--	--	--	--	--	--	± 4.4	500 LV	AARP
Glengariff Group	July 7-8, 2022	51%	40%	--	--	--	--	--	--	± 4.0	600 LV	WDIV/The Detroit News
Target Insyght	May 26-27, 2022	58%	21%	--	--	--	--	--	21%	± 4.0	600 RV	MIRS
Glengariff Group	Jan. 3-7, 2022	50%	31%	--	--	--	--	--	18%	± 4.0	600 LV	WDIV/Detroit News

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from three outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Michigan gubernatorial election, 2022
Race tracker	Race ratings
	November 8, 2022	November 1, 2022	October 25, 2022	October 18, 2022
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Lean Democratic	Lean Democratic	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Tilt Democratic	Tilt Democratic	Tilt Democratic	Tilt Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Lean Democratic	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic	Likely Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Noteworthy endorsements

Click the links below to see endorsement lists published on candidate campaign websites, if available. If you are aware of a website that should be included, please email us.

• Tudor Dixon

This section lists noteworthy endorsements issued in this election, including those made by high-profile individuals and organizations, cross-party endorsements, and endorsements made by newspaper editorial boards. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.

Noteworthy endorsements
Endorser	Gretchen Whitmer	Tudor Dixon
Government officials
U.S. President Joe Biden (D)  source	✔
Individuals
Frmr. (R) state Rep. Dennis Cawthorne  source	✔
Frmr. (R) state Rep. Doug Hart  source	✔
Frmr. (R) state Rep. Mickey Knight  source	✔
Frmr. (R) state Sen. Mel Larsen  source	✔
Frmr. U.S. President Barack Obama  source	✔
Frmr. (R) state Rep. Mike Pumford  source	✔
Frmr. (R) state Sen. Tory Rocca  source	✔
Frmr. (R) U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz  source	✔
Frmr. U.S. President Donald Trump  source		✔
Newspapers and editorials
Detroit Free Press Editorial Board  source	✔
The Detroit News Editorial Board  source		✔
Organizations
Michigan Manufacturers Association  source	✔
Other
Vice President Kamala D. Harris  source	✔

Click here to see a list of endorsements in the Aug. 2 Republican primary

Republican primary endorsements Endorser  James Craig  Tudor Dixon  Ryan Kelley  Ralph Rebandt  Kevin Rinke Government officials U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R)  source   ✔       U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R)  source   ✔       State Sen. Jon Bumstead (R)  source ✔         State Sen. Ken Horn (R)  source   ✔       Sen. Maj. Leader Mike Shirkey (R)  source   ✔       State Sen. Curt VanderWall (R)  source   ✔       State Sen. Roger Victory (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Julie Alexander (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Joseph Bellino (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Timothy Beson (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Diana Farrington (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Andrew Fink (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Gregory Markkanen (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Luke Meerman (R)  source   ✔       State Rep. Brad Paquette (R)  source   ✔       State Sen. Douglas Wozniak (R)  source   ✔       Individuals Frmr. gubernatorial candidate Michael Brown  source         ✔ Businessman Dick DeVos  source   ✔       Frmr. Gov. John Engler  source   ✔       Frmr. U.S. Rep. Newt Gingrich  source   ✔       Frmr. Dir. of Natl. Intelligence Ric Grenell  source   ✔       Talk show host Hugh Hewitt  source         ✔ Businessman Mike Lindell  source       ✔   Frmr. U.S. President Donald Trump  source   ✔       Newspapers and editorials Detroit Free Press Editorial Board  source         ✔ The Detroit News Editorial Board  source   ✔       Organizations American Conservative Union  source   ✔       American Patriots Forum  source     ✔     Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan  source   ✔       Conservative Country USA  source     ✔     Michigan Chamber of Commerce PAC  source   ✔       Michigan Coalition for Freedom  source     ✔     Michigan Health Choice Alliance  source       ✔   National Firearms Coalition  source     ✔     Patriot Approved  source     ✔     Police Officers Association of Michigan  source   ✔       Right to Life of Michigan PAC  source   ✔

Election spending

Campaign finance

The tables below contain data from financial reports submitted to state agencies. The data is gathered and made available by Transparency USA. Transparency USA tracks loans separately from total contributions. View each candidates’ loan totals, if any, by clicking “View More” in the table below and learn more about this data here.

Satellite spending

See also: Satellite spending

Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.

If available, satellite spending reports by the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and OpenSecrets.org are linked below. FEC links include totals from monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports. OpenSecrets.org compiles data from those reports as well as 24- and 48-hour reports from the FEC.

Details about satellite spending of significant amounts and/or reported by media are included below those links. The amounts listed may not represent the total satellite spending in the election. To notify us of additional satellite spending, email us.

Click here to search Michigan's campaign finance database for individual expenditures by political action committees and party political committees.

• Michigan Families United spent $1.9 on ads supporting Dixon on ahead of the Aug. 2 Republican primary. On Oct. 25, Bridge Michigan reported the group had spent $6.3 million on ads supporting Dixon throughout the election cycle.

• Michigan Strong spent $300,000 on ads ahead of the Aug. 2 Republican primary, including an ad supporting Dixon.

• Put Michigan First, a group associated with the Democratic Governors Association, spent $2 million on ads opposing Dixon on July 27, 2022, ahead of the Republican primary. After the primary, the group began a $4 million campaign opposing Dixon.

• Save Michigan PAC, a group associated with former gubernatorial candidate Michael Markey Jr. (R), spent $103,000 on the placement of ads supporting Dixon on July 27, 2022, ahead of the Republican primary.

Noteworthy events

Fraudulent signatures in five nominating petitions

Five candidates failed to qualify for the ballot following a May 23 report from the state Bureau of Elections that found 36 petition circulators had forged an estimated 68,000 signatures across multiple campaigns’ sets of nominating petitions, including those of the affected gubernatorial candidates.

James Craig and Perry Johnson, whom The Detroit News described as “top candidates for the Republican nomination,” were among those candidates, alongside Donna Brandenburg, Michael Brown, and Michael Markey Jr. Brown withdrew his candidacy on May 24 following the initial release of the report.

Brandenburg, Craig, Johnson, and Markey filed lawsuits asking election officials to check every signature on the identified circulators' sheets against the voter file rather than excluding all signatures without a full review.

On June 1, the Michigan Court of Appeals denied Johnson and Markey's requests. On June 2, the Michigan Court of Claims denied Craig's request. All three candidates appealed the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. On June 3, the state supreme court ruled it was "not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this Court." On June 6, the state supreme court rejected Brandenburg's lawsuit, which she had filed directly with the court.

Johnson filed a separate lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan on June 6 asking the court to cease the printing of ballots and either decrease the number of signatures needed to qualify for the ballot or to place his name on the ballot. The court denied this request on June 13.

On June 9, Craig announced a write-in candidacy for the gubernatorial nomination.

During the signature review process, election officials identified the circulators’ sheets with fraudulent signatures and checked a sample of roughly 7,000 against the state’s Qualified Voter File. Every signature from that sample was deemed invalid. Following that review, the bureau decided to exclude all signatures those circulators gathered. After excluding signatures gathered by these particular circulators, the bureau determined the candidates had submitted an insufficient number of valid signatures and would not appear on the ballot.

Election analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about demographics, past elections, and partisan control of the state.

• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the state.
• Statewide elections - Information about recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections in the state.
• State partisanship - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.
• Demographics - Information about the state's demographics and how they compare to the country as a whole.

Presidential elections

See also: Presidential voting trends in Michigan and The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Cook PVI by congressional district

Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index for Michigan, 2022
District	Incumbent	Party	PVI
Michigan's 1st	Jack Bergman	Republican	R+13
Michigan's 2nd	John Moolenaar	Republican	R+16
Michigan's 3rd	Peter Meijer	Republican	D+1
Michigan's 4th	Bill Huizenga	Republican	R+5
Michigan's 5th	Tim Walberg	Republican	R+15
Michigan's 6th	Debbie Dingell	Democratic	D+11
Michigan's 7th	Elissa Slotkin	Democratic	R+2
Michigan's 8th	Dan Kildee	Democratic	R+1
Michigan's 9th	Lisa McClain	Republican	R+18
Michigan's 10th	Open	Democratic	R+3
Michigan's 11th	Haley Stevens / Andy Levin	Democratic	D+7
Michigan's 12th	Rashida Tlaib	Democratic	D+23
Michigan's 13th	Open	Democratic	D+23

2020 presidential results by 2022 congressional district lines

2020 presidential results in congressional districts based on 2022 district lines, Michigan
District	Joe Biden	Donald Trump
Michigan's 1st	39.3%	59.1%
Michigan's 2nd	35.0%	63.2%
Michigan's 3rd	53.3%	44.8%
Michigan's 4th	47.1%	51.1%
Michigan's 5th	37.1%	61.2%
Michigan's 6th	62.7%	36.0%
Michigan's 7th	49.4%	48.9%
Michigan's 8th	50.3%	48.2%
Michigan's 9th	34.6%	64.0%
Michigan's 10th	48.8%	49.8%
Michigan's 11th	59.3%	39.4%
Michigan's 12th	73.7%	25.2%
Michigan's 13th	74.2%	24.6%

2012-2020

How a state's counties vote in a presidential election and the size of those counties can provide additional insights into election outcomes at other levels of government including statewide and congressional races. Below, four categories are used to describe each county's voting pattern over the 2012, 2016, and 2020 presidential elections: Solid, Trending, Battleground, and New. Click [show] on the table below for examples:

County-level voting pattern categories
Democratic
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Democratic	D	D	D
Trending Democratic	R	D	D
Battleground Democratic	D	R	D
New Democratic	R	R	D
Republican
Status	2012	2016	2020
Solid Republican	R	R	R
Trending Republican	D	R	R
Battleground Republican	R	D	R
New Republican	D	D	R

Following the 2020 presidential election, 46.0% of Michiganians lived in one of the state's eight Solid Democratic counties, which voted for the Democratic presidential candidate in every election from 2012 to 2020, and 29.1% lived in one of 61 Solid Republican counties. Overall, Michigan was Battleground Democratic, having voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2012, Donald Trump (R) in 2016, and Joe Biden (D) in 2020. Use the table below to view the total number of each type of county in Michigan following the 2020 election as well as the overall percentage of the state population located in each county type.

Michigan county-level statistics, 2020
Solid Democratic	8	46.0%
Solid Republican	61	29.1%
Trending Republican	11	16.3%
New Democratic	2	6.8%
Battleground Democratic	1	1.9%
Total voted Democratic	11	54.6%
Total voted Republican	72	45.4%

Historical voting trends

Michigan presidential election results (1900-2020)

• 13 Democratic wins
• 17 Republican wins
• 1 other win

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020
Winning Party	R	R	R	P	R	R	R	R	D	D	R	D	R	R	R	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	D

Statewide elections

This section details the results of the five most recent U.S. Senate and gubernatorial elections held in the state.

U.S. Senate elections

See also: List of United States Senators from Michigan

The table below details the vote in the five most recent U.S. Senate races in Michigan.

U.S. Senate election results in Michigan
Race	Winner	Runner up
2020	49.9%	48.2%
2018	52.3%	45.8%
2014	54.6%	41.3%
2012	58.6%	38.0%
2008	62.7%	33.8%
Average	55.6	41.4

Gubernatorial elections

See also: Governor of Michigan

The table below details the vote in the five most recent gubernatorial elections in Michigan.

Gubernatorial election results in Michigan
Race	Winner	Runner up
2018	53.3%	43.7%
2014	50.9%	46.9%
2010	58.1%	39.9%
2006	56.4%	42.3%
2002	51.4%	47.4%
Average	54.0	44.0

State partisanship

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Michigan's congressional delegation as of November 2022.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Michigan, November 2022
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	7	9
Republican	0	7	7
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	14	16

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Michigan's top four state executive offices as of November 2022.

State executive officials in Michigan, November 2022
Office	Officeholder
Governor	Gretchen Whitmer
Lieutenant Governor	Garlin Gilchrist II
Secretary of State	Jocelyn Benson
Attorney General	Dana Nessel

State legislature

The tables below highlight the partisan composition of the Michigan State Legislature as of November 2022.

Michigan State Senate

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	16
	Republican Party	22
	Vacancies	0
Total		38

Michigan House of Representatives

Party		As of November 2022
	Democratic Party	53
	Republican Party	56
	Vacancies	1
Total		110

Trifecta control

As of November 2022, Michigan was a divided government, with Democrats controlling the governorship and Republican majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. The table below displays the historical trifecta status of the state.

Michigan Party Control: 1992-2022
No Democratic trifectas  •  14 years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	D	S	S	R	R	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

Demographics

The table below details demographic data in Michigan and compares it to the broader United States as of 2019.

Demographic Data for Michigan
	Michigan	United States
Population	10,077,331	331,449,281
Land area (sq mi)	56,609	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White	77.6%	70.4%
Black/African American	13.6%	12.6%
Asian	3.2%	5.6%
Native American	0.5%	0.8%
Pacific Islander	0%	0.2%
Two or more	3.8%	5.2%
Hispanic/Latino	5.2%	18.2%
Education
High school graduation rate	91.3%	88.5%
College graduation rate	30%	32.9%
Income
Median household income	$59,234	$64,994
Persons below poverty level	13.7%	12.8%
Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2020). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2015-2020).
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Election context

Ballot access requirements

The table below details filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates in Michigan in the 2022 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Michigan, click here.

Filing requirements for gubernatorial candidates, 2022
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source	Notes
Michigan	Governor	Democratic or Republican	15,000	N/A	4/19/2022	Source
Michigan	Governor	Unaffiliated	12,000	N/A	2022-07-21	Source

State election history

2018

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018

Governor

General election

General election for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer (D)	53.3	2,266,193
		Bill Schuette (R)	43.7	1,859,534
		Bill Gelineau (L)	1.3	56,606
		Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.7	29,219
		Jennifer Kurland (G)	0.7	28,799
		Keith Butkovich (Natural Law Party)	0.2	10,202
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	32

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,250,585 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Richard Sills (Independent)
• Ryan Henry Cox (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer defeated Abdul El-Sayed and Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Whitmer	52.0	588,436
		Abdul El-Sayed	30.2	342,179
		Shri Thanedar	17.7	200,645

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,131,260
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kentiel White (D)
• Bill Cobbs (D)
• Justin Giroux (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Michigan

Bill Schuette defeated Brian Calley, Patrick Colbeck, and Jim Hines in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Schuette	50.7	501,959
		Brian Calley	25.2	249,185
		Patrick Colbeck	13.1	129,646
		Jim Hines	11.0	108,735

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 989,525
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Evan Space (R)

Green primary election

Green primary for Governor of Michigan

Jennifer Kurland advanced from the Green primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Jennifer Kurland

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Dwain Reynolds (G)

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for Governor of Michigan

Bill Gelineau defeated John Tatar in the Libertarian primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Gelineau	57.8	4,034
		John Tatar	42.2	2,941

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,975
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Lieutenant governor

General election

General election for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Garlin Gilchrist II (D)	53.3	2,266,193
		Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R)	43.7	1,859,534
		Angelique Chaiser Thomas (L)	1.3	56,606
		Earl Lackie (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.7	29,219
		Charin Davenport (G)	0.7	28,799
		Raymond Warner (Natural Law Party)	0.2	10,202
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	32

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,250,585
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2014

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014

Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Rick Snyder/Brian Calley Incumbent	50.9%	1,607,399
	Democratic	Mark Schauer/Lisa Brown	46.9%	1,479,057
	Libertarian	Mary Buzuma/Scott Boman	1.1%	35,723
	U.S. Taxpayers	Mark McFarlin/Richard Mendoza	0.6%	19,368
	Green	Paul Homeniuk/Candace R. Caveny	0.5%	14,934
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0%	50
Total Votes				3,156,531
Election results via Michigan Department of State

2022 battleground elections

See also: Battlegrounds

This election was a battleground race. Other 2022 battleground elections included:

• Kansas Treasurer election, 2022
• New Hampshire's 2nd Congressional District election, 2022
• North Carolina's 1st Congressional District election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)
• Oregon gubernatorial election, 2022 (May 17 Democratic primary)
• United States House of Representatives special election in Alaska, 2022 (June 11 top-four primary)

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• Governor of Michigan official website
• Lieutenant Governor of Michigan official website