A high -level sheriff in Michigan announced his attempt to go to the post of governor, replacing the Democratic Governor. Gretchen Whitmer.
First elected sheriff of the county of Genesee of Michigan in 2020, the announcement of Chris Swanson Thursday marks his full step in politics after having spoken at the National Democratic Convention Last August. The race promises to be one of the most disputed political battles in 2026.
Swanson drew national attention for the first time in May 2020, just a few days after the death of the police guard of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked national demonstrations against racial injustice. He removed his riot equipment and walked alongside the demonstrators after saying to them: “I want to make it a parade, not a demonstration.”
Its offer occurs while the Democratic Party is looking for a new type of candidate who can respond to the main concerns of voters such as immigration and public security, he plans that Swanson plans to return to the heart of his campaign.
The sheriff of the county of Genesee, Chris Swanson, announces his campaign to go to the post of Governor of Michigan during the 2026 elections on February 6, 2025 at the Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. (Jake May / The Flint Journal via AP)
Swanson officially announced its offer to the Mott Community College, his Alma Mater, in Flint Thursday evening. He was joined by a room filled with more than 400 supporters of the whole state.
“When there is a challenge, we resolve it. When there is a crisis, we will calm down. When there is an opportunity, we will seize it,” said Swanson. “I believe that everyone has value. Michigan has value. This is why I have always tried to find ways to help and bring people together. I think we are quite difficult to win for Michigan. “
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Upon entering the race, Swanson joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the democratic primary, Lieutenant-Governor Garlin Gilchrist II reflecting on a potential offer. On the republican side, Aric Nesbitt, the best leader in the Gop State Senate, announced his candidacy. The American representative John James Ais Lso considered a potential competitor. The mayor formerly a Democrat of Detroit, Mike Duggan, also rocked the race by entering as an independent.
Swanson has never won a race outside the county of Genesee and he will participate in the primary against Benson, which won several races across the state and collected millions of dollars. Swanson remains largely unknown outside his county, about 70 miles northwest of Detroit.
The sheriff of the county of Genesee, Chris Swanson, talks at a press conference on January 28, 2025 in Flint, Michigan. (Jake May / The Flint Journal via AP)
The call of sheriff as a non-traditional candidate could resonate in a state of battlefield like Michigan, where victory requires large inter-party support. In the 2024 elections, Swanson was re -elected with 65% of the votes in the county of Genesee – with nearly 14 percentage points before the Democratic candidate for the presidential election Kamala Harris.
Swanson’s decision of Remove his riot and March equipment In addition to the demonstrators during a demonstration in Flint after the death of Floyd in May 2020, sparked national attention and the praise of the eminent democrat, notably Whitmer and former President Barack Obama.
He said this month that the police had planned a different response, but “when I went up, I thought, there must have been a better way”.
This also helped him to propel him to an appearance to the National Democratic Convention in August, where he wore the uniform of his sheriff and approved Harris in a brief speech.
The appearance was a rare demonstration of support for the police to the president of the time. Michigan sheriffs and across the country have frequently lined up with President Donald Trump during his difficult anti-crime immigration campaign.
The sheriff of the county of Genesee, Chris Swanson, is adopted when he announces his campaign to go to the post of governor of Michigan in the elections of 2026 Thursday, February 6, 2025 at the Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. (Jake May / The Flint Journal via AP)
Swanson’s history could stimulate his appeal during a general election, especially since immigration remains a concern of voters. However, it can face challenges in democratic primary, where some in the party have called to “defeat the police” and Reform the police.
“It is time that we have a different type of candidate who goes through the system, not just the next one,” said Swanson. “People, I think, are hungry for something new and fresh. Certainly, the party is. And I am that person.”
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The Governor’s offer of Swanson was announced for the first time in the Associated Press.
Paul Steinhauser from Fox News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
