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Michigan Republican Party

Michigan Republicans 2026: Every Race, Every Candidate

In a state Donald Trump flipped back in 2024, Michigan Republicans see 2026 as their best shot to reclaim statewide power after eight years on the outside. Here's every Republican on the ballot, what they stand for, and how the party picks them.

Until Republican Primary TUESDAY · AUG 4, 2026
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Republican Primary Road
Key dates from convention to general election
MAR 28 → NOV 3, 2026
The Stakes for Michigan Republicans

Best Chance to Reclaim Lansing Since 2010

Republicans haven't won a Michigan U.S. Senate race since 1994 or a non-presidential statewide race since 2014. But 2026 looks different: Trump carried the state in 2024, every Democratic statewide incumbent is gone, and the GOP enters the cycle with a cash advantage in both state legislature caucuses and a serious independent candidate (Mike Duggan) threatening to split the Democratic vote.

The party's 2026 slate is anchored by John James for governor and Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate — both veterans with past statewide campaigns, both seeking Trump's endorsement. The DeVos family is back with serious money. After a decade shut out of statewide power, Michigan Republicans think this is the cycle that ends the streak.

1994
Last GOP U.S. Senate win
2
Nominees already chosen by convention
6+
GOP candidates in governor primary
+1.4%
Trump's 2024 MI margin
G
Related Deep Dive
Deep dive on the 2026 Michigan Governor's race
Every candidate — Democrat, Republican, and Independent — with issues, money, and endorsements.
See the Governor page →
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Governor

Crowded 6-way GOP primary. James leads polling; Cox leads cash on hand.
Primary · Aug 4
U

U.S. Senate

Rogers is back after losing to Slotkin by 0.3 points in 2024. Cleared field with Huizenga opting out.
Primary · Aug 4
A

Attorney General

Nominee chosen at Mar 28 GOP convention in Novi.
Nominee · Convention
S

Secretary of State

Nominee chosen at Mar 28 GOP convention in Novi.
Nominee · Convention
L

State Legislature

Republicans hold the State House and are 1 seat away from flipping the State Senate.
Nov 3
Michigan State Senate
Republicans one seat from the majority
20 Democrats 18 Republicans
Senate GOP caucus has a $6.2M cash advantage over Dems ($4.8M). A special election in the 35th District could flip the chamber before the general even happens.
Michigan State House
Republicans defending the majority they flipped in 2024
52 Democrats 58 Republicans
House GOP holds a 58–52 majority won back in 2024 after two years of Dem control. GOP caucus sitting on $4.4M vs. Dems' $1.9M heading into 2026.
What a trifecta means: If Republicans flip the governor's office, flip the State Senate, and hold the State House, they'd have a trifecta for the first time since 2018 — opening the door to rolling back Dem priorities like the 2023 Right to Work repeal, enacting GOP-led tax cuts, and reshaping the courts and regulatory agencies.
Civics Brief

How the Michigan Republican Party Works

Michigan is one of only three states where major-party conventions — not primary voters — choose the nominees for some of the most powerful offices on the ballot. The Michigan GOP takes a more restrictive approach than Democrats: only county-convention delegates vote at the state endorsement convention.

01

Primary Races (you vote)

Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, State Legislature. Any registered Michigan voter — not just Republicans — can vote in the Republican primary on Aug 4 thanks to Michigan's open primary system.

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Convention Races (party picks)

Attorney General, Secretary of State, MI Supreme Court, and state education/university boards. GOP nominees chosen at the state convention — but only by delegates who were picked at county-level conventions.

03

Endorsement Convention

The Michigan Republican Party's 2026 early endorsement convention took place Mar 28, 2026 in Novi. Doug Lloyd (AG) and Anthony Forlini (SOS) won the endorsements.

04

Running the Party

State chair Jim Runestad leads the Michigan Republican Party, coordinating fundraising, delegate operations, and statewide messaging. The DeVos-aligned Michigan Forward Network (led by former RNC chair Ronna McDaniel) provides outside infrastructure.