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.

The established lawmaker announced his candidacy for 2026 on Tuesday morning, the second Republican to throw his hat in the ring for a pivotal race.

Republican state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced his candidacy, becoming the first major party candidate in Michigan to launch a gubernatorial campaign in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov.

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.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is the second well-known ... surprised many by announcing his departure from the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent.

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt is the second well-known ... surprised many by announcing his departure from the Democratic Party to run for governor as an independent.

Gubernatorial candidate and State Senator Aric Nesbitt is showing the field of potential Republican competitors that there’s money where his mouth is.  Announcing his candidacy on Tuesday this week, N

State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt announced Tuesday that he is seeking the Republican nomination for governor on the 2026 ballot. Rick Pluta reports.

Senator Aric Nesbitt, a Republican who represents Michigan's 20th Senate District, was born and raised in Porter Township. He was the second to announce his campaign, following behind Detroit Mayor and longtime Democrat Mike Duggan, who elected to run as an independent in the race.

Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) launched his gubernatorial bid Tuesday, becoming the first Republican to jump into the race ahead of the 2026 midterms. “Michiganders deserve

State Senator, and gubernatorial candidate, Aric Nesbitt wasn’t impressed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Road Ahead address on Wednesday. Nesbitt says the speech calling for bipartisan action to strengthen the economy was hiding some truths he considers evident.