Michigan Primary Election Results 2026: Michigan voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to choose party nominees for governor, Congress and other key races. ABC News has projected that Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican Congressman John James have won their respective gubernatorial primaries and will face off in the November general election to succeed Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who is term-limited.
On the Democratic side, Benson defeated Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson after building a strong fundraising advantage. On the Republican side, James defeated businessman Perry Johnson, aided by an endorsement from former US President Donald Trump. If elected, James would become Michigan’s first Black Republican governor.
Several closely watched congressional races also produced key results, setting the stage for competitive contests in November.
What Happened In Michigan’s 7th Congressional District?
ABC News projected that William Lawrence, a progressive activist backed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), won the Democratic primary in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. Lawrence will now challenge Republican Congressman Tom Barrett in the November election. He received endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the campaign.
Why Was The MI-07 Race Closely Watched?
The race drew attention because many Democratic leaders worried that Lawrence’s progressive platform could make it harder for the party to win the seat in November. Despite calls for moderate candidates to unite behind a single challenger, no candidate withdrew from the race. Lawrence focused much of his campaign on opposing the construction of data centres, an issue that resonated with many local voters. His victory also marks the fifth DSA-backed candidate to win a primary this year.
What Is Happening In Michigan’s 13th Congressional District?
In Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar is facing a strong primary challenge backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. The Detroit-area race has attracted attention because several incumbent Democratic lawmakers have already lost their primaries this year, making Thanedar one of the latest incumbents facing a serious test.
