LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s top Republican leader in the state Senate is running for governor as a Republican in 2026. Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced his bid in a campaign video released Tuesday. Nesbitt becomes the first high-profile Republican to enter a race that’s expected to be highly competitive. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December that he was leaving the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent in 2026. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was reelected in 2022 but is term-limited. No top Democratic leaders have officially announced a run. Some Democrats have called on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to enter the race.
