Crowded field emerges in Michigan’s 2026 secretary of state race
The race for Michigan’s 2026 secretary of state is becoming highly competitive, with multiple candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties entering the contest.On the Democratic side, Ingham County Clerk Barbara Byrum appears to have strong party support, having earned endorsements from three former Michigan Democratic Party Chairs. She is joined by Aghogho Edevbie, the current deputy secretary of state, and former state representative Adam Hollier. The incumbent, Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, is term-limited and will not seek re-election.
The secretary of state in Michigan oversees crucial functions such as election administration, issuing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, and consumer protection. On the Republican side, candidates include Timothy Smith, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, Oakland County precinct delegate Monica Yatooma, and Clarkston Community School District board trustee Amanda love. These candidates will seek the party nomination during spring conventions in 2026, making endorsements critical for gaining delegate support.
Byrum’s campaign emphasizes protecting voting rights, combating government inefficiency and corruption, and advancing LGBTQ+ rights. Forlini highlighted his commitment to restoring trust in Michigan’s electoral system by increasing transparency while protecting voter confidentiality.
The 2026 election in Michigan will also include races for governor and lieutenant governor, with all top executive positions currently held by Democrats. The last Republican to win the secretary of state seat was in 2014, and in the 2022 election, Benson secured the position with nearly 56% of the vote.
Crowded field emerges in Michigan’s 2026 secretary of state race
(The Center Square) – The race for Michigan’s next secretary of state is already a crowded one on both sides of the aisle.
On the Democrat side, Ingham County Clerk Barbara Byrum seems to have the backing of the party establishment. In June, she announced she had received the endorsement of three former Michigan Democratic Party Chairs.
Byrum has joined the race, which will be at the midterm elections in 2026, by Democrat Aghogho Edevbie, the current deputy secretary of state. Adam Hollier, a former state representative, rounds out the Democrats on the ticket.
Currently, the seat is held by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is term-limited. In Michigan, the secretary of state oversees several key functions, including the administration of elections, the issuance of driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, and consumer protection.
On the Republican side, Timothy Smith, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini, Oakland County precinct delegate Monica Yatooma, and Clarkston Community School District board trustee Amanda Love are all running to represent the Republican Party on the ticket.
Candidates for the secretary of state race will be nominated at the respective Democratic and Republican party conventions, which will be held spring of 2026. That makes endorsements particularly important as candidates look to garner support from party delegates.
Byrum, who was formerly a state representative from 2006-2012, is running on a platform of protecting voting rights and fighting government inefficiency and corruption. Her campaign has also labeled her a “pioneer” for LGBTQ+ rights, “from officiating the first gay marriage in our state to making marriage licenses and other government forms and processes accessible to trans Michiganders.”
The Center Square spoke with Forlini in an exclusive interview about his campaign. Forlini said he is ready to use his experience as a former state representative and current county clerk in Michigan’s third-largest county to restore trust in Michigan’s electoral system.
“I felt like it was important that a clerk… step up and step into that role,” Forlini said. “I think it’s critically important that the secretary of state’s office become more transparent with how we operate . . . the key element for election integrity is transparency, while at the same time maintaining the confidentiality of each person’s ballot.”
Forlini said he also wants to streamline systems throughout the secretary of state’s operations in the state.
MICHIGAN POURS MILLIONS INTO EV INFRASTRUCTURE
In the 2026 election, Michigan will be voting on its top three executive positions: governor, lieutenant governor, and secretary of state. Currently, all three of those are held by Democrats.
In 2022, Benson won the secretary of state election with 55.9% of the vote. A Republican last won the seat in 2014.
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