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A high-profile sheriff in Michigan introduced his bid to run for governor, changing Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
First elected sheriff of Michigan’s Genesee County in 2020, Chris Swanson’s announcement on Thursday marks his full leap into politics after talking on the Democratic Nationwide Conference final August. The race is shaping as much as be one of the crucial fiercely contested political battles of 2026.
Swanson first gained nationwide consideration in Might 2020, simply days after the police custody dying of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests in opposition to racial injustice. He famously took off his riot gear and marched alongside demonstrators after telling them: “I need to make this a parade, not a protest.”
His bid comes because the Democratic Celebration seeks a brand new form of candidate who can handle prime voter issues equivalent to immigration and public security, points Swanson plans to make central to his marketing campaign.
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Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson declares his marketing campaign to run for governor of Michigan within the 2026 election on Feb. 6, 2025, at Mott Neighborhood Faculty in Flint, Michigan. (Jake Might/The Flint Journal by way of AP)
Swanson formally introduced his bid at Mott Neighborhood Faculty, his alma mater, in Flint on Thursday evening. He was joined by a packed home of greater than 400 supporters from throughout the state.
“When there’s a problem, we are going to remedy it. When there’s a disaster, we are going to convey calm. When there’s a chance, we are going to seize it,” Swanson mentioned. “I consider everybody has worth. Michigan has worth. It’s why I’ve all the time tried to search out methods to assist and produce folks collectively. I consider that collectively, we’re robust sufficient to win for Michigan.”
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In getting into the race, Swanson joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson within the Democratic main, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II mulling a possible bid. On the Republican facet, Aric Nesbitt, the highest GOP state Senate chief, has introduced his candidacy. U.S. Rep. John James ais lso thought of to be a possible contender. Detroit’s once-Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan additional shook up the race by getting into as an unbiased.
Swanson has by no means gained a race exterior of Genesee County and he might be competing within the main in opposition to Benson, who has gained a number of statewide races and raised tens of millions of {dollars}. Swanson stays largely unknown exterior his county, which is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson talks throughout a information convention, Jan. 28, 2025 in Flint, Michigan. (Jake Might/The Flint Journal by way of AP)
The sheriff’s attraction as a non-traditional candidate may resonate in a battleground state like Michigan, the place profitable requires broad, cross-party help. Within the 2024 election, Swanson was reelected with 65% of the vote in Genesee County — working almost 14 share factors forward of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Swanson’s choice to take away his riot gear and march alongside protesters at an indication in Flint following Floyd’s Might 2020 dying sparked nationwide consideration and reward from distinguished Democrats, together with Whitmer and former President Barack Obama.
He mentioned this month that police had deliberate for a unique response, however “as I used to be strolling up, I assumed, there’s acquired to be a greater method.”
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It additionally helped propel him to an look on the Democratic Nationwide Conference in August, the place he wore his sheriff’s uniform and endorsed Harris in a short speech.
The looks was a uncommon present of regulation enforcement help for the then-vice president. Sheriffs in Michigan and throughout the nation steadily aligned themselves with President Donald Trump throughout his tough-on-crime, anti-illegal immigration presidential marketing campaign.
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is embraced as he declares his marketing campaign to run for governor of Michigan within the 2026 election Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, at Mott Neighborhood Faculty in Flint, Mich. (Jake Might/The Flint Journal by way of AP)
Swanson’s background may increase his attraction in a normal election, particularly as immigration stays a prime voter concern. Nonetheless, he might face challenges within the Democratic main, the place some within the get together have made calls to “defund the police” and reform regulation enforcement.
“It is time that we have now a unique kind of candidate coming by the system, not simply the following one up,” mentioned Swanson. “Individuals, I believe, are hungry for one thing new and contemporary. Definitely the get together is. And I am that individual.”
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Swanson’s gubernatorial bid was first introduced in The Related Press.
Fox Information’ Paul Steinhauser and The Related Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox Information Digital breaking reporter protecting crime, political points, and rather more.
Michigan sheriff who marched with protesters in 2020 launches gubernatorial bid
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