A well-known sheriff in Michigan has declared his candidacy for governor, aiming to replace current Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Chris Swanson, who was first elected sheriff of Michigan’s Genesee County in 2020, officially announced his campaign on Thursday after gaining national attention for his actions during the protests following George Floyd’s death.
Swanson’s campaign is centered around key voter concerns such as immigration and public safety, positioning him as a new type of candidate for the Democratic Party.
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Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces his campaign to run for governor of Michigan in the 2026 election on Feb. 6, 2025, at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP)
Swanson officially launched his campaign at Mott Community College in Flint, his hometown, accompanied by over 400 supporters from across the state.
“I believe that together, we are tough enough to win for Michigan,” Swanson stated. “When there’s a challenge, we will solve it. When there’s a crisis, we will bring calm. When there’s an opportunity, we will seize it.”
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In the Democratic primary, Swanson will be running against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II considering joining. On the Republican side, Aric Nesbitt and U.S. Rep. John James are among the potential candidates, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan enters as an independent.
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Swanson’s gubernatorial bid was initially reported by The Associated Press.
Fox News’ Paul Steinhauser and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
