Meet the Candidates

Republican candidates running for office in Michigan. We will update this information with any changes or additional announcements.

Governor

Republican

Mike Cox

Governor

Mike Cox is a former Michigan Attorney General and experienced conservative leader. He served as AG from 2003–2011, prosecuting corruption and defending Michigan's constitution. He is running for Governor on a platform of public safety, fiscal responsibility, and restoring Michigan's economy.

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Republican

Joyce Gipson

Governor

Joyce Gipson is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Governor. She is a community leader and advocate for Michigan families, running on a platform of lower taxes, parental rights, and restoring common sense to Lansing.

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Republican

Anthony Hudson

Governor

Anthony Hudson is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Governor. He brings a background in business and community service, advocating for economic growth, government accountability, and protecting the rights of Michigan citizens.

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Republican

John James

Governor

John James is a West Point graduate, Army Ranger veteran, and successful businessman. A former U.S. Senate candidate, he is known for his strong conservative values, military service, and commitment to Michigan families and economic opportunity.

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Republican

Perry Johnson

Governor

Perry Johnson is a Michigan businessman and quality management expert. He is running for Governor on a platform of applying business efficiency principles to state government, cutting waste, lowering taxes, and making Michigan more competitive.

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Republican

Tom Leonard

Governor

Tom Leonard is a former Michigan House Speaker and conservative Republican leader. He has a strong record of cutting taxes, defending the Second Amendment, and fighting for Michigan families. He previously ran for Attorney General and is now seeking the Governor's office.

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Republican

Aric Nesbitt

Governor

Aric Nesbitt is the Michigan Senate Majority Leader and a seasoned conservative lawmaker. He has championed lower taxes, energy independence, and protecting Michigan's working families throughout his legislative career and is now running for Governor.

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Republican

Ralph Rebandt

Governor

Ralph Rebandt is a pastor, community leader, and conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Governor. He is running on a platform of faith, family, and freedom — advocating for parental rights, election integrity, and restoring Michigan's moral foundation.

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Republican

Kevin Rinke

Governor

Kevin Rinke is a Michigan auto dealer and entrepreneur who previously ran for Governor in 2022. He is running again on a platform of economic growth, job creation, and bringing private-sector efficiency to state government.

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Republican

Evan Space

Governor

Evan Space is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Governor. He is committed to fiscal responsibility, protecting constitutional rights, and ensuring Michigan government works for its citizens rather than special interests.

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Republican

Karla Wagner

Governor

Karla Wagner is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Governor with a strong background in public service and community leadership. She is a tireless advocate for Michigan families, fighting for lower taxes, better schools, and safer communities.

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Attorney General

Republican

Matt DePerno

Attorney General

Matt DePerno is an attorney and conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Attorney General. He gained national attention for his election integrity investigations and is running on a platform of law enforcement, constitutional rights, and holding government accountable.

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Republican

Kevin Kijewski

Attorney General

Kevin Kijewski is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Attorney General. With a background in law and public service, he is committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting Michigan citizens, and restoring integrity to the AG's office.

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Republican

Doug Lloyd

Attorney General

Doug Lloyd is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Attorney General. He is a strong advocate for constitutional rights, law enforcement, and ensuring Michigan's laws are enforced fairly and without political bias.

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Secretary of State

Republican

Anthony Forlini

Secretary of State

Anthony Forlini is a former Michigan state representative and conservative Republican candidate for Secretary of State. He is a strong advocate for election integrity, transparent government, and ensuring every legal vote is counted accurately.

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Republican

Amanda Love

Secretary of State

Amanda Love is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Secretary of State. A mother and community advocate, she has been a vocal champion for election integrity, parental rights, and transparent government. She is committed to restoring trust in Michigan's elections.

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Republican

Monica Yatooma

Secretary of State

Monica Yatooma is an attorney and conservative Republican candidate for Michigan Secretary of State. She is dedicated to election integrity, government transparency, and ensuring Michigan's election system is secure, accurate, and trustworthy.

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U.S. Senate

Republican

Andrew Kamal

U.S. Senate

Andrew Kamal is a conservative Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan. He is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, national security, and putting Michigan families first in Washington.

Republican

Mike Rogers

U.S. Senate

Mike Rogers is a former U.S. Congressman, FBI agent, and national security expert. He served Michigan's 8th Congressional District for over a decade and chaired the House Intelligence Committee. He is running for U.S. Senate on a platform of national security, economic growth, and conservative values.

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Republican

Genevieve Peters Scott

U.S. Senate

Genevieve Peters Scott is a conservative Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan. She is committed to defending constitutional freedoms, supporting Michigan's economy, and bringing a fresh conservative voice to Washington.

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Republican

Bernadette Smith

U.S. Senate

Bernadette Smith is a conservative Republican candidate for U.S. Senate from Michigan. She is a strong advocate for Michigan families, fiscal responsibility, and restoring American strength on the world stage.

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U.S. House — 1st District

RepublicanIncumbent

Jack Bergman

U.S. House — 1st District

Jack Bergman is the incumbent U.S. Representative for Michigan's 1st Congressional District. A retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General, he has served the Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan with a focus on veterans' affairs, national security, and protecting Michigan's natural resources.

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Republican

Justin Michal

U.S. House — 1st District

Justin Michal is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan's 1st Congressional District. He is running on a platform of fiscal responsibility, protecting constitutional rights, and ensuring the voices of Upper Peninsula residents are heard in Washington.

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State Senate — 38th District

Republican

Beau LaFave

State Senate — 38th District

Beau LaFave is a Michigan state representative and conservative leader from the Upper Peninsula. A lifelong UP resident, he has championed the interests of rural Michigan communities, fought for Second Amendment rights, and pushed back against government overreach. He is now running for the State Senate 38th District.

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Republican

Dave Prestin

State Senate — 38th District

Dave Prestin is a Michigan state representative and conservative Republican from the Upper Peninsula. Serving the communities of the UP with dedication, Dave has been a consistent voice for limited government, lower taxes, and protecting the rights of Michigan citizens. He is running for the State Senate 38th District.

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108th District Representative

Republican

Larry Johnson

108th District Representative

Larry Johnson is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan's 108th District State Representative seat. He is committed to serving the residents of the 108th District with integrity, fighting for lower taxes, and ensuring government remains accountable to the people.

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Republican

Chris Reynolds

108th District Representative

Chris Reynolds is a conservative Republican candidate for Michigan's 108th District State Representative seat. He is running on a platform of UP values — protecting Second Amendment rights, supporting local businesses, and ensuring the voice of the Upper Peninsula is heard in Lansing.

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University of Michigan Regent

Republican

Michael Schostak

University of Michigan Regent

Michael Schostak is a Michigan businessman and conservative Republican candidate for University of Michigan Regent. He is committed to restoring academic freedom, fiscal accountability, and ensuring the University of Michigan serves all students without political bias.

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Additional Ballot & Candidate Information

For additional ballot and candidate information, visit Ballotpedia.org

Hear Them Speak in Person

Select candidates will be speaking at the Lincoln Day Dinner on March 21, 2026 and the Gubernatorial Debate on May 2, 2026.