2026 Governors' Races: Michigan and Wisconsin Contests Take Shape

Michigan and Wisconsin are both holding gubernatorial elections in 2026, part of a nationwide cycle that includes 36 governors' races. In Michigan, the Republican primary was scheduled for August 4, 2026, with the general election set for November 3, 2026; as of early May 2026, no candidates had completed Ballotpedia's official candidate survey for the GOP primary. Coverage from ClickOnDetroit (WDIV) referenced results tied to Michigan's August primary contests, which also included a U.S. Senate primary held the same day. In Wisconsin, incumbent Democratic Governor Tony Evers announced he would not seek a third term, resulting in the state's first open gubernatorial race in 16 years. As of July 2026, Republicans held narrow control of both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, while Democrats controlled most statewide executive offices. The race was described as a political tossup given the lack of an incumbent and the state's competitive partisan balance. Specific candidates, final primary results, and vote totals for the Michigan Republican primary were not detailed in the available reporting, leaving the field of contenders unresolved based on current sources. Similarly, no declared candidates or polling data for the Wisconsin gubernatorial race were specified. Both races remain in early stages as of the reporting period, with further developments—such as confirmed candidate lists and primary outcomes—expected closer to their respective election dates.