Mike Cox Joins 2026 Michigan Governor Race as GOP Field Expands

Mike Cox Announces Candidacy for Michigan Governor in 2026

Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is making headlines with his announcement to run for governor in the 2026 election. This declaration comes in the wake of Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term limit, setting the stage for a competitive race among multiple Republican candidates.

Cox has a track record in Michigan politics, having served as attorney general from 2003 to 2011. He previously attempted to secure the governorship at the end of his tenure as attorney general but finished third in the Republican primary. This time around, he enters the race with renewed confidence, adopting the campaign slogan “Make Michigan Great Again.”

In his initial campaign video, Cox highlighted his commitment to public service, stating, “I’ve protected people my entire life, fought and beat the worst of the worst. Let’s not stand by and let radical politicians or woke bureaucrats undermine us any longer.” This bold message resonates with a faction of voters seeking to counter perceived challenges from current political trends.

The Republican field is becoming increasingly crowded, with notable figures such as Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt and U.S. Representative John James also vying for the nomination. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II are facing off, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan runs as an independent after previously identifying as a Democrat.

The political landscape is shifting as the Republican Party aims to reclaim the governor's office following eight years under Governor Whitmer, during which the Democratic Party held control over the state legislature from 2022 until 2024. The GOP made a comeback in the 2024 elections by regaining control of the state House, setting the stage for a critical election in 2026.

Prior to his political career, Cox served as a U.S. Marine Corps infantry rifleman and worked as a prosecutor. His political ascent began in 2002 when he achieved a noteworthy victory against Democratic Senator Gary Peters, marking a significant milestone as Michigan's first Republican attorney general in over forty years.