August 1st-17th, 2026

Below are key highlights from Michigan’s 2026 primary election that took place on August 4th.

Current Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, won the Democratic nomination for Governor in a landslide, beating Genesee County Sheriff, Chris Swanson. The Republican side of the Governor’s primary was a bit closer. Congressman John James clinched the nomination over Businessman Perry Johnson. James will now face off against Jocelyn Benson in the general election.

In the Democratic Primary for the U.S. Senate, Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive and former public health official, was victorious. El-Sayed edged out moderate Congresswoman Haley Stevens and will now face Republican Mike Rogers in the highly anticipated general election. In the 2024 U.S. Senate election, Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin defeated Rogers by a slim 19,000 vote margin.

The U.S. House election had numerous highlights. In MI-04, Democratic State Senator Sean McCann (Kalamazoo) won his primary and will face off against long-time Republican incumbent, Bill Huizenga (Zeeland). The general election is expected to be close. In MI-07, Will Lawrence (Lansing), a progressive activist, beat out two other more moderate candidates, to earn the Democratic nomination. He will now face Tom Barrett (Charlotte), the freshman Republican Congressman in a highly competitive general election. Democratic State Senator Jeremy Moss (Bloomfield Township) won his primary for the 11th district, the seat vacated by Haley Stevens. Republican candidate Thomas Smith ended up winning the primary in MI-08 despite dropping out of the race to support Trump-backed candidate Amir Haneef Hassan (Flint). In the MI-13 Democratic primary, the progressive State Representative Donovan McKinney (Detroit) toppled the moderate incumbent Congressman Shri Thanedar (Detroit).

In the State Senate primary race, State Rep. Natalie Price (Berkley) won the Democratic primary for SD-10. Current State Rep. Erin Byrnes (Dearborn) lost the Democratic nomination for Michigan 2nd state Senate district (SD-2) to progressive organizer Abbas Alaweih (Dearborn). In an upset, MSU assistant professor Rashida Harrison (East Lansing) won the Democratic primary for SD-28. Harrison is a progressive and will face Republican Julia DeRose (Dewitt) in the general election. State Rep. Phil Skaggs (East Grand Rapids) lost his bid for the Democratic nominee in SD-29, where East Grand Rapids City Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak (East Grand Rapids) came out on top. In a contentious three-way primary for the Republican nomination in SD-33, State Rep. Gina Johnsen (Portland) defeated Katie DeBoer (Cannon) and Rep. Joseph Fox (Fremont). Finally, State Rep. Dave Prestin (Cedar River) defeated former State Rep. Beau LaFave (Iron Mountain) in the GOP Primary for SD-38. In the general election, he will face Kelli Van Ginhoven (D-Escanaba) and former State Rep. Sara Cambensy (Marquette) who is running as an independent.

In the State House Primary, Democratic State Rep. Helena Scott (Detroit) lost her primary bid in the 8th House district (HD-8) to progressive challenger Chris Gilmer-Hill (Detroit). Former Republican State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis (Grand Rapids) won the GOP primary for HD-90. The seat is being vacated by Republican House Majority Floor Leader Bryan Posthumus (Rockford). Finally, Republican Rep. Steve Carra defended his seat from a more moderate primary challenger.

Full results can be viewed here.

Last week, Republican gubernatorial candidate Congressman John James announced his choice of having current State Representative Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay) as his running mate. DeBoyer been in his role of state representative for the past four years. He currently serves as House Associate Speaker Pro Tempore and the House Oversight Committee Chair.

As Chair of the Oversight Committee, DeBoyer has led aggresive investigations into Michigan’s election system, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel, the office of Secretary of State, and has led part of the House Republican effort to root out “fraud, waste, and abuse.” His selection is expected to help with the blue-collar, grassroots anti-establishment wing of the party. James’ running mate announcement was made ahead of the August 22nd Michigan Republican Party Convention, which will confirm the statewide candidates for the November election. Alternative candidates can still be proposed and nominated by delegates at the convention.

Current Secretary of State, and Democratic Gubernatorial candidate, Jocelyn Benson, is expected to announce her pick in the next week ahead of the August 25 deadline.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced a new initiative that asks local governments to create proposals identifying coordination opportunities with the department using opioid settlement dollars.

The state will receive more than $1.8 billion from national opioid settlements by 2040. Half will be distributed to the state, and the other half directly to local governments. The funds will support substance use disorder prevention, aim to reduce overdose risks, as well as expand access to treatment and support long-term recovery.

Local governments can begin submitting letters of intent to DHHS this month on a rolling basis. Proposals that are selected will advance to more detailed planning and contracting.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has increased the income threshold for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program by more than $1,500.

A family of four can now qualify with an annual income of up to $61,050, compared to the previous threshold of $59,550 for a family of the same size. This change will offer the opportunity for more Michigan families who meet or fall below the threshold to quailfy for the program and access WIC services. As part of the program’s goal of improving health outcomes for children and mothers, the program also provides families with access to nutritious food and education on nutrition.

More information about the program can be found here.

Maysam Alie-Bazzi, a Dearborn-based public education official with nearly 30 years of experience, has begun her new role as chief deputy superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education (MDE). Alie-Bazzi most recently served as the Dearborn Public Schools executive director of staff and student services. However, she has a wealth of experience, including previously roles as principal, assistant principal, literacy coordinator, media specialist, and a language arts teacher.

Alie-Bazzi holds a master’s degree in reading education, a master’s degree in library and information science, an administrator certificate, a teaching certificate with a major in language arts and a minor in history, and a bachelor’s degree in communications with a focus on public relations.

Alie-Bazzi succeeds Dr. Sue Carnell, who retired effective July 31. Carnell assisted with the transition to the new chief deputy superintendent.

The Senate Fiscal Agency (SFA) recently released the Monthly Revenue Report for June 2026. Tax collections came in at $3.4 Billion, $163 million above what was expected and 3.1% higher than last June.

The largest source of revenue was from net income taxes, totaling $1.5 billion. Despite bringing in the most revenue, collections were $25.3 million below the expected number. Not far behind in revenue were combined sales and use tax collections coming in at $1.2 billion, $73.4 million above expectations. The repealed Single Business Tax, Michigan Business Tax (MBT), and Corporate Income Tax (CIT) generated $333.0 million in net revenue. The combined collections were $109.7 million higher than the predicted number largely due to CIT collections and less MBT refunds being claimed.

General Fund (GF) collections were $112.9 million above the estimated number, and the School Aid Fund exceeded the predicted number by $39.4 million. So far the year-to-date collections for the GF sits at $384 million, and for the School Aid Fund, $112.2 million.

In other economic news, the Michigan Health and Hospital Association released their healthcare sector report for 2024. The report shows that the healthcare industry in Michigan is the largest private-sector employer, supporting more than 1 million jobs. According to the report, the healthcare industry in Michigan created $115 billion in economic value and $25.1 billion in tax revenue during the 2024 fiscal year. The full report can be found here.