All eyes are going to be on Michigan in 2026…
Conservative businesswoman and pro-Trump Republican Tudor Dixon signaled her interest in re-entering the political arena after her unsuccessful bid for Governor in 2022.
“I want to do the most good for our beloved state,” she wrote Tuesday in a post on the social media platform X. “Both races present unique opportunities and different ways to benefit Michigan.”
“I will decide soon where my experience and talents would most benefit the state we love so dearly,” she added.
In her statement, Dixon praised President Trump, who endorsed her failed campaign against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) three years ago, for actions taken since his return to the White House in January and reaffirmed her support.
“President Trump is leading the way nationally. He is delivering on his promises to secure the border, bring manufacturing jobs home and boost energy independence,” she said. “I am committed to standing with President Trump to deliver on the America First agenda here in Michigan.”
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) announced in January that he won’t seek another term in 2026.
Whitmer, a potential 2028 presidential contender, cannot seek reelection as governor in 2026 because of the state’s term limits.
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) was the first Republican to jump into the gubernatorial race.
“Michiganders deserve so much better than what they’re getting from these Democrats up in Lansing,” Nesbitt said in an announcement video. “What we’ve seen is higher taxes, more spending, more debt, and less jobs.”
Former Michigan state House Speaker Tom Leonard and former presidential candidate Perry Johnson have also been floated as potential contenders to enter the race.
Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg was widely considered to be the Democrat’s likely choice to propel forward as the party’s Senate nominee but opted out of the running last wee.
“His decision was framed by several allies and people in his inner circle as putting him in the strongest possible position to seek the presidency, and based on a belief it would be exceedingly difficult to run successive campaigns in 2026 and 2028,” according to Politico.
The former South Bend mayor previously mounted a longshot bid for the White House in 2020 before suspending his campaign after finishing fourth in the South Carolina primary.
“Pete was an A-list recruit and would have been a formidable candidate for the Senate had he chosen to run,” famed Democrat strategist David Axelrod told the outlet. “But had he won in ’26, it would almost certainly have taken him out of the conversation for ’28. This certainly keeps that option open.”
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