LANSING — State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is running for governor. Nesbitt is the first well-known Republican to enter the race to succeed Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who will be term-limited in 2026. He announced his campaign in a video posted on social media Tuesday.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt ... Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg — who moved to Michigan in recent years ...

The Van Buren County politician became the first prominent Republican or Democratic candidate to make public their 2026 campaign for governor.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is the second well-known candidate to enter the race to succeed Whitmer, who has two years remaining in her final term after being reelected in 2022. The open governor’s seat in 2026 is expected to spark competitive primaries.