Michigan Voters Decide Senate and Governor Nominees in Aug. 4 Primary

Michigan voters are choosing party nominees Tuesday, Aug. 4, in a closely watched U.S. Senate primary and competitive contests for governor. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Michigan Secretary of State is posting statewide election information and returns as counties report.

The Democratic Senate contest is between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Wayne County public health official Abdul El-Sayed. The winner will face Republican Mike Rogers in the Nov. 3 general election. Rogers is unopposed in the Republican Senate primary, and the seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring.

Why the Senate primary matters

The Stevens-El-Sayed contest has drawn national attention because Democrats are trying to defend the Michigan seat as part of their effort to regain control of the U.S. Senate. The campaign has also become a test of competing approaches within the Democratic Party, with Stevens emphasizing her congressional record, manufacturing and the economy, while El-Sayed has campaigned on Medicare for All, campaign-finance reform, lower prescription-drug costs and changes to U.S. policy toward Israel.

Associated Press reported that outside groups supporting Stevens spent more than $50 million, including more than $30 million from American Israel Public Affairs Committee affiliates. Those are campaign-finance figures, not a measure of voter support or a prediction of the result.

Open governor’s race

Michigan voters are also selecting party nominees to succeed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is barred from seeking another term under the state’s term limits.

The Republican gubernatorial ballot includes U.S. Rep. John James, businessman Perry Johnson, former Attorney General Mike Cox and state Sen. Aric Nesbitt. President Donald Trump endorsed James. Johnson has financed his campaign with millions of dollars from his personal fortune, according to campaign-finance reporting cited by AP.

Democratic voters are choosing between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The November governor’s contest will be determined after both party primaries and any applicable canvassing and certification steps are complete.

What happens after polls close

Election-night totals are unofficial. Counties report results to the state, and election officials conduct canvassing before results are certified. The Michigan election calendar lists Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, as the general election, with polls scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For Michigan voters, the immediate question is which candidates advance from the Aug. 4 primary. The larger statewide contests will continue into the fall, with the U.S. Senate race affecting Michigan’s representation in Washington and the governor’s race determining who leads the state’s executive branch after Whitmer’s term ends.

Sources

• Michigan Secretary of State election results and data
• Associated Press Michigan primary preview