Duggan, Benson Lead Fundraising in Michigan Governor Race

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, running as an independent, has emerged as the leader in direct campaign donations for Michigan's 2026 gubernatorial race, raising $3.2 million since announcing his candidacy and outpacing all other contenders. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the top Democratic candidate, reported a total of $3.5 million in receipts, with over $1 million transferred from her previous campaign account and more than $2.4 million cash on hand. Benson's campaign emphasized broad grassroots support, boasting over 27,000 contributions with 95% under $100, and she leads the Democratic primary field by a wide margin in recent polls. On the Republican side, John James and Aric Nesbitt are the leading fundraisers, each with about $2.3 million in receipts, including significant transfers and a $5 million super PAC backing James. Duggan's status as an independent means he avoids a primary, giving him an early advantage for the general election. Fundraising prowess is seen as a key factor in this hotly contested race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.