Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces run for Michigan governor
Chris Swanson, the high-profile sheriff of Michigan's Genesee County, is launching a Democratic bid to become the battleground state's next governor.
First elected sheriff of Michigan's fifth-largest county in 2020, Swanson announced his gubernatorial bid on Feb. 6. It marks his full leap into politics after gaining national attention for marching with protesters in 2020 and speaking at the Democratic National Convention last August.
His candidacy comes as the Democratic Party seeks a new kind of candidate who can address top voter concerns such as immigration and public safety, issues Swanson plans to make central to his campaign.
"People want to be protected, people want to be served by the people they elected, and people want unity. People are exhausted by division," Swanson told CBS News Detroit on Feb. 11.
Michigan's race to replace Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the high-profile Democrat facing term limits, is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested political battles of 2026.
Swanson will join Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic primary, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II mulling a potential bid. On the Republican side, Aric Nesbitt, the top GOP state Senate leader, has announced his candidacy, with U.S. Rep. John James also considered to be a potential contender. Detroit's once-Democratic Mayor, Mike Duggan, further shook up the race by entering as an independent.
Swanson says he prides himself on his unique approach to law enforcement he claims brought people together.
"We're going to keep you safe, which means human trafficking enforcement statewide under GHOST. We're going to reduce crime by reducing jail populations, giving people the education like we've done, and job training and placement where they don't come back and break the law," he said.
Public safety is his expertise, and he says it's something voters have on their minds.
"They want to protect. Protect their families, their businesses, the economy, their kid's schools, their churches. They want to be able to worship and walk in freedom. They want their rights protected. They want someone who's got a service mindset, who's going to go out there on the front lines and be there when it's needed, and as a sheriff, that's what we do," Swanson said.
The biggest question surrounding Swanson's campaign is whether he can compete in the primary against a candidate like Benson, who has won multiple statewide races and raised millions of dollars. Swanson remains largely unknown outside his county and Democratic circles.
Still, the sheriff's appeal as a nontraditional candidate could resonate in a battleground state like Michigan, where winning requires broad, cross-party support. In the 2024 election, Swanson was reelected with 65% of the vote in Genesee County, running nearly 14 percentage points ahead of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
"911 calls come in. You don't ask if they're Democrat or Republican. White, Black, rich, poor. You take care of people," said Swanson. "And I think in today's world, especially in the state, that's what people want. They want leaders that can inspire."
Swanson's law enforcement approach first drew national headlines in May of 2020, days after a White Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd, a Black man.
At a protest in Flint, the largest city in Genesee County, Swanson removed his riot gear and marched alongside demonstrators. This month, Swanson said that police had planned for a different response, but "as I was walking up, I thought, there's got to be a better way."
The sheriff is hoping to make the same impression on voters around the state as he has with those who elected him in the county.
"I've seen him go after pedophiles. I've seen him be very active in trying to eliminate trafficking. We need people with energy and in law enforcement," said Flint business owner Pat McCarron.
"He's in the market a lot. He's a very polite, personable guy. He wants to wave at everybody, tell everybody 'Hi'. He's just an all-around good guy, I think," said Flint business owner Daniel Wolak.
Swanson's quick decision drew praise from prominent Democrats, including Whitmer and former President Barack Obama. It also helped propel him to an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in August, where he wore his sheriff's uniform and endorsed Harris in a brief speech.
The appearance was a rare show of law enforcement support for the then-vice president. Sheriffs in Michigan and across the country frequently aligned themselves with Donald Trump during his tough-on-crime, anti-illegal immigration presidential campaign.
"No party owns law enforcement. Law enforcement is part of the people," said Swanson, who said that the DNC appearance cost him lifelong friendships.
Swanson's background could boost his appeal in a general election, especially as immigration remains a top voter concern this year. However, he may face challenges in the Democratic primary, where some in the party have made calls to reform law enforcement and even "defund the police."
His campaign as a Democrat doesn't come without skepticism, particularly when it comes to his stance on abortion rights.
The ACLU of Michigan issued a statement addressing some confusion about where he stands on reproductive rights:
"As we would be for any gubernatorial candidate, we are deeply concerned about Chris Swanson's past reported support for anti-abortion policy. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Michiganders have made their stance on abortion rights undeniably clear. Voters turned out in record numbers to enshrine reproductive freedom into our state constitution, and they expect their leaders to uphold their values. With reproductive rights under attack at the federal level, Michigan leaders cannot waver on this issue."
The Flint Area Right to Life Director told the Detroit News that Swanson once told her he was pro-life sometime before he was elected as sheriff. Swanson confirmed with CBS News Detroit that he's pro-choice and issued a statement of his own in response:
"I want to be very clear – I support a woman's right to choose because I trust women and believe decisions about abortion and reproductive care are best made by women with their doctors, faith, and family. As Governor, I will protect these freedoms and ensure all Michiganders continue to have access to comprehensive care. Any legislation that comes across my desk and seeks to take away women's freedoms will be vetoed."