Michigan governor’s race sees Benson amass biggest war chest

Within the early days of Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has amassed the most important conflict chest but.

“This historic victory exhibits that Michiganders are prepared for Jocelyn Benson to be the subsequent governor,” stated Nikki Goldschein, Benson’s marketing campaign supervisor. Benson has raised greater than $4.7 million for her marketing campaign since launching, greater than every other candidate vying to exchange Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who can’t run once more because of time period limits. Benson’s fund contains greater than $570,000 she beforehand raised when she ran for secretary of state.

Gilchrist surpasses Swanson and closes fundraising hole

Benson raised greater than $1.2 million in its most up-to-date quarter for the July 21 via October 20 fundraising interval. She ended up with nearly $3 million money available.

Following Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II raised greater than $350,000 in the course of the newest fundraising interval, bringing his whole since launching his marketing campaign to greater than $1.1 million and ending the reporting interval with greater than $370,000 money available. He has had much less time to lift funds than the opposite main Democratic candidates as a result of he launched his marketing campaign later than his opponents. The earlier marketing campaign finance report confirmed him trailing the Democratic discipline.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson raised greater than $290,000 throughout the newest fundraising interval. To this point, he has raised greater than $1.3 million throughout his marketing campaign. He ended the interval with greater than $380,000 money available. “We all know Chris’ background, concepts and vitality will sway voters searching for one thing completely different of their leaders,” Swanson Marketing campaign Supervisor Camilo Vilaseca stated in an announcement.

Cox leads the GOP package deal with a giant enhance from a private mortgage

Former Lawyer Common Mike Cox, the primary main Republican candidate to enter the race, has raised greater than $4.5 million for his marketing campaign to date, with a lot of that cash coming from cash he has loaned to his personal marketing campaign. The most recent marketing campaign finance report exhibits that he offered his marketing campaign with a $2 million mortgage, bringing the full he has loaned to his personal marketing campaign to greater than $3.5 million. He ended the fundraising interval with practically $3.8 million money available. “We’re constructing the group, we’re doing the work, now we have the assets – and we’re going to win this marketing campaign,” Cox stated in an announcement.

U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, raised practically $1.4 million throughout the newest fundraising interval, bringing his whole raised because the begin of his marketing campaign to greater than $3.6 million. He ended the interval with practically $2.3 million money available. “Whereas we’re inspired by the early and sustained grassroots help of our marketing campaign, as evidenced by our continued robust fundraising and polling, I’ve discovered in battle and in enterprise that complacency kills,” James stated in an announcement, vowing to “preserve preventing to earn your help within the coming 12 months.”

Ralph Rebandt, a former pastor who’s operating for governor in 2022, has raised practically $930,000 in the course of the fundraising interval, with the overwhelming majority of that cash coming from the greater than $800,000 he has loaned to his personal marketing campaign. He ended the interval with greater than $880,000 money available.

Senate Minority Chief Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, raised greater than $420,000 throughout the newest fundraising interval, bringing his whole because the begin of his marketing campaign to greater than $2.7 million. He was the primary main GOP candidate to enter the race. As of Oct. 20, he had greater than $2.1 million in money available.

Former Michigan Home Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, raised greater than $290,000 throughout the newest fundraising interval. That brings the full raised thus far to greater than $930,000. He ended the newest fundraising interval with greater than $700,000 in money. Leonard borrowed his personal marketing campaign cash and gave himself $105,000.

Michigan politics: Leftover payments from the earlier session ought to go to Whitmer, the panel guidelines

Mayor Duggan’s unbiased bid retains the cash momentum going

Duggan raised greater than $1.1 million for his bid to turn out to be Michigan’s first unbiased governor throughout the newest fundraising quarter, bringing his whole raised thus far above $4.3 million. He ended the quarter with greater than $2.4 million in money.

Duggan’s robust fundraising efficiency within the earlier reporting interval, which ended July 20, confirmed his unprecedented marketing campaign was financially aggressive. But he noticed room for progress. “I have to get higher at elevating nationally,” Duggan instructed the Detroit Free Press in July.

In an Oct. 27 assertion touting his newest fundraising numbers, he defended his help within the state. “I am operating for governor of Michigan – and that is the place my help comes from. Whereas the opposite candidates are flying across the nation chasing nationwide donors, we’re constructing a marketing campaign powered by folks proper right here in Michigan,” Duggan stated.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.