# 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 2018 Michigan gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the next governor of Michigan, concurrently with the election of Michigan's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.
Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley were term-limited and were unable to seek a third term in office. The filing deadline was April 24, 2018. The Republican, Democratic and Libertarian parties chose their nominees in a partisan primary on August 7, 2018. 2018 was the first year the Libertarian Party held a gubernatorial primary alongside the two other major parties in the state of Michigan. The Working Class Party, U.S. Taxpayers Party, Green Party and Natural Law Party chose their nominees at state party conventions.
The race was not as close as expected, with Democrat Gretchen Whitmer was elected with 53.3% of the vote to Republican Bill Schuette's 43.8%. Schuette performed best in more sparsely populated areas, while Whitmer was supported by large margins in large and medium cities, such as Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing. Whitmer also performed well in the Detroit suburbs. Whitmer carried former Republican stronghold Kent County (location of her native Grand Rapids), the first Democratic candidate to do so since James Blanchard's landslide 1986 reelection. Democrats swept the statewide races by also holding onto the Senate seat that was up for re-election, and picking up the positions of secretary of state and attorney general. They also captured every state university trustee seat that was up for election as well as the State Board of Education.

## Republican primary
### Candidates
#### Nominated

* Bill Schuette, Attorney General of Michigan

#### Eliminated in primary

* Brian Calley, Lieutenant Governor
* Patrick Colbeck, state senator
* Jim Hines, physician and president of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations

#### Declined

* David Agema, former Republican National Committeeman and former state representative (endorsed Patrick Colbeck)
* Jase Bolger, former Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives
* Larry C. Inman, state representative
* Ruth Johnson, Michigan Secretary of State and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2006 (running for state senate)
* Arlan Meekhof, Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate
* Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner and former U.S. representative (endorsed Bill Schuette)

### Endorsements

U.S. Executive Branch Officials
* Mike Pence, 47th vice president of the United States (2017–2021), former governor of Indiana (2013–2017) and former U.S. representative (IN-6/IN-2) (2001–2013)
* Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)
U.S. Governors
* Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin
U.S. representatives
* Tim Walberg, U.S. representative (MI-07)
Local politicians
* Mike Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff
* L. Brooks Patterson, Oakland County Executive
Individuals
* Ted Nugent, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and political activist
Organizations
* Right to Life of Michigan
U.S. senators
* Ted Cruz, U.S. senator from Texas (2013-Present)
State officials
* David Agema, former Republican National Committeeman and former state representative
Individuals
* David Barton, founder of Wallbuilders
* Dawn Dodge, Speakers Bureau Director for the Republican Women's Federation of Michigan
* Bob Dutko, Conservative Christian talk radio host
* Mark Gurley, co-director of the Michigan Oak Initiative and as the Grassroots vice-chair for the MIGOP
* Sean Hannity
* Jack Lousma, former NASA astronaut and retired USMC colonel
* Bob Lutz, Former General Motors Vice-Chairman and ex-Chrysler President
* Wes Nakagiri, Michigan Tea Party leader, one of the 17 Republican at-large delegates sent to the 2016 Republican National Convention
* Thayrone X, Metro Detroit talk radio host
Organizations
* Michigan Vaccine Freedom PAC
* Right to Life of Michigan
U.S. Governors
* Rick Snyder, Governor of Michigan
U.S. representatives
* Justin Amash, U.S. representative (MI-03)
State and local officials
* Bryan Barnett, Rochester Hills Mayor
* Chris Barnett, Orion Township Supervisor
* Robert Cannon, Clinton Township Supervisor
* Donijo DeJonge, Kent County GOP Chair
* Judy Emmons, state senator
* Kurt Heise, Plymouth Township Supervisor
* Patrick Kittle, Independence Township Supervisor
* Terri Lynn Land, former Michigan Secretary of State
* James Lower, state representative
* Ken Massey, Farmington Hills Mayor
* Kevin McDaniel, Auburn Hills Mayor
* Steve Percival, Clarkston Mayor
* Leo Savoie, Bloomfield Township Supervisor
* Dane Slater, Troy Mayor
* Gary Wall, Waterford Township Supervisor
* Michael Webber, state representative
Individuals
* Dan DeVos, businessman and sports executive
* Chuck Yob, former Republican National Committee member
Organizations
* Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce
* Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
* Home Builders Association of Michigan
* Michigan Vaccine Freedom PAC
* Right to Life of Michigan
Newspapers
* Detroit Free Press
* The Detroit News

### Debates

| Host network | Date | Link(s) | Participants | Participants | Participants | Participants |
| Host network | Date | Link(s) | Bill Schuette | Patrick Colbeck | Brian Calley | Jim Hines |
| WOOD-TV | May 9, 2018 | | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited |
| WDIV-TV | June 28, 2018 | | Invited | Invited | Invited | Invited |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Brian Calley | Patrick Colbeck | Jim Hines | Bill Schuette | Other | Undecided |
| Mitchell Research | July 30, 2018 | 413 | ± 5.0% | 18% | 9% | 10% | 40% | – | 23% |
| EPIC-MRA | July 21–22, 2018 | 1,045 | ± 3.1% | 24% | 11% | 8% | 42% | – | 15% |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 202 | ± 7.3% | 13% | 7% | 9% | 35% | – | 36% |
| Marist College | July 15–19, 2018 | 337 | ± 6.3% | 26% | 11% | – | 33% | 1% | 30% |
| JMC Analytics | July 5–12, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 17% | 10% | 4% | 25% | – | 45% |
| Target-Insyght | June 24–26, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 16% | 8% | 4% | 45% | – | 21% |
| NMB Research (R-Better Jobs PAC) | June 18–21, 2018 | – | – | 23% | – | – | 45% | – | 29% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette) | May 22–24, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.4% | 19% | 6% | 1% | 42% | – | – |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette) | April 29 – May 1, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 20% | 6% | 2% | 42% | – | – |
| Glengariff Group | April 19–21, 2018 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 23% | 4% | 1% | 36% | 0% | 34% |
| Denno Research | April 2–3, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.0% | 13% | 4% | 1% | 23% | – | 59% |
| Strategic National (R) | March 19–20, 2018 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 18% | 7% | 3% | 27% | – | 45% |
| Marketing Resource Group | March 13–17, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 13% | 2% | 2% | 29% | – | 54% |
| Public Opinion Strategies (R-Schuette) | February 10–13, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.4% | 15% | 5% | 2% | 42% | – | – |
| Strategic National (R) | December 16–17, 2017 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 19% | 5% | 2% | 30% | – | 44% |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 14% | <5% | <5% | 38% | – | – |
| Mitchell Research | September 21–24, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 13% | – | – | 52% | – | 36% |
| Marketing Resource Group | September 13–18, 2017 | 216 | ± 4.0% | 13% | 3% | 3% | 33% | – | 48% |
| Target-Insyght | July 25–27, 2017 | 344 | ± 5.4% | 14% | 4% | 1% | 42% | – | 39% |
| Marketing Resource Group | May 8–11, 2017 | 216 | ± 4.0% | 11% | – | 7% | 32% | – | 51% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Brian Calley | Jim Hines | Arlan Meekhof | Candice Miller | Bill Schuette | Undecided |
| Mitchell Research | May 31, 2017 | 435 | ± 4.7% | 14% | 1% | – | 21% | 18% | 46% |
| Target-Insyght | February 2–4, 2016 | 400 | ± 5% | 11% | – | 3% | 20% | 21% | 45% |

### Results

Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Schuette | 501,959 | 50.7 |
| | Republican | Brian Calley | 249,185 | 25.2 |
| | Republican | Patrick Colbeck | 129,646 | 13.1 |
| | Republican | Jim Hines | 108,735 | 11.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 989,525 | 100.0 |

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Nominated

* Gretchen Whitmer, former Ingham County Prosecuting Attorney and former Minority Leader of the Michigan Senate

#### Eliminated in primary

* Abdul El-Sayed, former executive director of the Detroit Department of Health and Wellness Promotion
* Shri Thanedar, author and entrepreneur

#### Write-In

* Bill C. Cobbs, businessman

#### Declined

* John Austin, former president of the Michigan Board of Education
* Mark Bernstein, member of University of Michigan Board of Regents
* Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit
* Geoffrey Fieger, attorney and nominee for governor in 1998
* Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive
* Dan Kildee, U.S. representative
* Andy Levin, energy consultant and son of Congressman Sander Levin (running for Congress in MI-9)
* Barbara McQuade, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan
* Gary Peters, U.S. senator
* Matt Simoncini, CEO of Lear Corporation
* Bart Stupak, former U.S. representative

### Endorsements

U.S. senators
* Carl Levin, former U.S. senator from Michigan (1979-2015)
U.S. representatives
* Debbie Dingell, U.S. representative (MI-12)
* Dan Kildee, U.S. representative (MI-05)
* Brenda Lawrence, U.S. representative (MI-14)
* Sander Levin, U.S. representative (MI-09)
State officials
* Jim Blanchard, former governor of Michigan (1983-1991)
* Frank J. Kelley, former attorney general of Michigan (1961-1999)
Local officials
* Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit
Organizations
* AFL-CIO
* American Federation of Teachers-Michigan
* Emily's List
* Michigan Education Association
* Service Employees International Union
* Teamsters Local 43
* United Auto Workers
Newspapers
* The Detroit News
U.S. senators
* Bernie Sanders, U.S. senator from Vermont (2007-Present) (Independent)
U.S. representatives
* Ro Khanna, U.S. representative (CA-17)
State legislators
* Abdullah Hammoud, state representative
Organizations
* Ann Arbor for Revolution
* Democracy for America
* Grand Rapids United Progressives
* Justice Democrats
* Lansing for Revolution
* Michigan for Revolution
* Michigan Nurses Association
* Millennials for Revolution
* Oakland County for Revolution
* Our Revolution
* The People for Bernie Sanders
* Progressive Change Campaign Committee
Newspapers and publications
* Current Affairs
* The Nation
Political candidates
* Kerri Evelyn Harris, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Delaware
* Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic nominee for U.S. representative (NY-14)
Individuals
* Ben Affleck, actor
* Danny DeVito, actor
* Alex Ebert, musician
* Shaun King, activist
* Michael Moore, documentarian and activist
* Ameya Pawar, Chicago Alderman
* Piper Perabo, actress
* Joseph Sanberg, entrepreneur and investor
* Nina Turner, former Ohio State Senator and President of Our Revolution

### Debates

| Host network | Date | Participants | Participants | Participants |
| Host network | Date | Abdul El-Sayed | Shri Thanedar | Gretchen Whitmer |
| WOOD-TV | June 20, 2018 | Invited | Invited | Invited |
| WDIV-TV | July 19, 2018 | Invited | Invited | Invited |

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Cobbs | Abdul El-Sayed | Shri Thanedar | Gretchen Whitmer | Other | Undecided |
| EPIC-MRA | July 21–22, 2018 | 1,054 | ± 3.1% | – | 19% | 22% | 49% | – | 10% |
| Change Research (D-El-Sayed) | July 20–21, 2018 | 1,503 | – | – | 27% | 15% | 33% | – | 24% |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 282 | ± 6.4% | – | 12% | 17% | 39% | – | 31% |
| Marist College | July 15–19, 2018 | 442 | ± 5.5% | – | 22% | 27% | 31% | <1% | 20% |
| Target-Insyght | June 24–26, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | – | 17% | 19% | 40% | 2% | 22% |
| Glengariff Group | April 20–22, 2018 | 400 | ± 4.9% | 3% | 7% | 30% | 26% | – | 35% |
| Denno Research | April 6–7, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.0% | 2% | 2% | 15% | 17% | – | 63% |
| Marketing Resource Group | March 13–17, 2018 | 233 | ± 6.4% | 3% | 10% | 21% | 18% | – | 48% |
| Target-Insyght | March 6–8, 2018 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 4% | 6% | 20% | 34% | 3% | 33% |
| EPIC-MRA (D-Thanedar) | February 17–22, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 3% | 8% | 24% | 34% | – | 31% |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 4% | 13% | 2% | 45% | 8% | 28% |
| Marketing Resource Group | September 13–18, 2017 | 255 | ± 4.0% | 8% | 4% | 3% | 27% | – | 58% |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Mike Duggan | Abdul El-Sayed | Geoffrey Fieger | Mark Hackel | Dan Kildee | Andy Levin | Shri Thanedar | Gretchen Whitmer | Undecided |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 29% | – | – | – | – | – | – | 43% | – |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | – | – | 28% | – | – | – | – | 41% | – |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 400 | ± 5.0% | – | – | – | – | – | 19% | – | 42% | – |
| Target-Insyght | February 2–4, 2016 | 400 | ± 5% | 20% | – | – | 9% | 12% | – | – | 16% | 43% |
| Target-Insyght | July 25, 2017 | 377 | ± 5.4% | – | 4% | 35% | – | – | – | 3% | 35% | – |
| Marketing Resource Group | May 8–11, 2017 | 255 | ± 4.0% | – | 9% | 26% | – | – | – | – | 24% | 41% |

### Results

Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gretchen Whitmer | 588,436 | 52.0 |
| | Democratic | Abdul El-Sayed | 342,179 | 30.2 |
| | Democratic | Shri Thanedar | 200,645 | 17.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,131,447 | 100.0 |

## Libertarian primary

The Libertarian Party is one of three parties that have a primary in Michigan.

### Candidates
#### Nominated

* Bill Gelineau

#### Eliminated in primary

* John Tatar

### Endorsements

Organizations
* Michigan Vaccine Freedom PAC

### Debates

| Host network | Date | Participants | Participants |
| Host network | Date | Bill Gelineau | John Tatar |
| WOOD-TV | July 15, 2018 | Invited | Invited |
| WJBK-TV | July 22, 2018 | Invited | Invited |

### Results

Libertarian primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Libertarian | Bill Gelineau | 4,034 | 57.8 |
| | Libertarian | John Tatar | 2,941 | 42.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,975 | 100.0 |

## Green Convention

The Green Party chose candidates for the 2018 ballot at its state convention on May 5, 2018, at the University of Michigan-Flint.

### Candidates
#### Declared and nominated

* Jennifer Kurland, president of the Redford Union School Board

## U.S. Taxpayers Party
### Candidates
#### Declared and nominated

* Todd Schleiger

## Natural Law Party
### Candidates
#### Declared and nominated

* Keith Butkovich

## General election
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Lean D (flip) | October 26, 2018 |
| The Washington Post | Lean D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| FiveThirtyEight | Likely D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| Rothenberg Political Report | Lean D (flip) | November 1, 2018 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Likely D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| RealClearPolitics | Lean D (flip) | November 4, 2018 |
| Daily Kos | Likely D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| Fox News | Likely D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| Politico | Likely D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |
| Governing | Lean D (flip) | November 5, 2018 |

#### Notes

* ↑ The Fox News Midterm Power Rankings uniquely does not contain a category for Safe/Solid races

### Endorsements

U.S. Executive Branch Officials
* Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States (2017–2021), former governor of Indiana (2013–2017) and former U.S. representative (IN-6/IN-2) (2001–2013)
* Donald Trump, 45th President of the United States (2017–2021)
U.S. Governors
* John Engler, former governor of Michigan (1991–2003)
* Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin (2011–2019)
U.S. representatives
* Jack Bergman, U.S. representative (MI-1) (2017–present)
* Mike Bishop, U.S. representative (MI-8) (2015–2019)
* Candice Miller, Macomb County Public Works Commissioner (2017–present) and former U.S. representative (MI-10) (2003–2016)
* Paul Mitchell, U.S. representative (MI-10) (2017–2021)
* John Moolenaar, U.S. representative (MI-4) (2015–present)
* Dave Trott, U.S. representative (MI-11) (2017–2019)
* Tim Walberg, U.S. representative (MI-7) (2011–present)
State Representatives
* Julie Alexander
* Sue Allor
* Tom Barrett
* Lee Chatfield
* Triston Cole
* Laura Cox
* Diana Farrington
* Ben Frederick
* Gary Glenn
* Joseph Graves
* Roger Hauck
* Michele Hoitenga
* Pamela Hornberger
* Gary Howell
* Tim Kelly
* Klint Kesto
* Beau LaFave
* Daniel Lauwers
* Eric Leutheuser
* Peter Lucido
* Steve Marino
* Mike McCready
* Aaron Miller
* Daire Rendon
* Jim Runestad
* Jason Sheppard
* Jim Tedder
* Curt VanderWall
* Scott VanSingel
* Hank Vaupel
* Rob VerHeulen
* Jason Wentworth
* Mary Whiteford
* Jeff Yaroch
State Senators
* Darwin Booher
* Jack Brandenburg
* Tom Casperson
* Mike Green
* Goeff Hansen
* Kenneth Horn
* Joe Hune
* Rick Jones
* Jim Marleau
* Phil Pavlov
* John Proos
* David B. Robertson
* Jim Stamas
Organizations
* Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan
* Detroit Fire Fighters Association
* Detroit Police Officers Association
* Michigan Chamber of Commerce
* Michigan Farm Bureau
* Michigan Restaurant Association
* Michigan Realtors
* National Federation of Independent Business
* Police Officers Association of Michigan
* NRA Political Victory Fund
* Right to Life of Michigan
* Small Business Association of Michigan
* The Young Republicans Club of Dearborn High School
Local officials
* Mike Bouchard, Sheriff of Oakland County and former Michigan state senator
* L. Brooks Patterson, County Executive of Oakland County, Michigan
Individuals
* Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General (2011–2019)
* Donald Trump Jr., businessman and son of U.S. president Donald Trump
U.S. Executive Branch officials
* Joe Biden, 47th vice president of the United States (2009–2017) and former U.S senator from Delaware (1973–2009)
* Hillary Clinton, 67th United States Secretary of State (2009–2013), former U.S. senator from New York (2001–2009), former First Lady of the United States (1993–2001), 2016 Democratic nominee for president
* Eric Holder, 82nd United States Attorney General (2009–2015)
* Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States (2009–2017) and former U.S. senator from Illinois (2005–2008)
U.S. senators
* Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. senator from New York (2009–present) and former U.S. representative (NY-20) (2007–2009)
* Gary Peters, U.S. senator from Michigan (2015–present) and former U.S. representative (MI-9/MI-14) (2009–2015)
* Bernie Sanders, U.S senator from Vermont (2007–present) and former U.S. representative (VT-AL) (1991–2007) (Independent)
* Debbie Stabenow, U.S. senator from Michigan (2001–present) and former U.S. representative (MI-8) (1997–2001)
U.S. representatives
* Debbie Dingell, U.S. representative (MI-12) (2015–present)
* Dan Kildee, U.S. representative (MI-5) (2013–present)
* Brenda Lawrence, U.S. representative (MI-14) (2015–present)
* Sander Levin, U.S. representative (MI-9) (1983–2019)
* Joe Schwarz, former Republican U.S. representative (MI-7) (2005–2007) (Independent)
Governors
* James Blanchard, former governor of Michigan (1983–1991)
* John D. Cherry, former lieutenant governor of Michigan (2003–2011)
* Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan (2003–2011)
* Jay Inslee, Governor of Washington (2013–present)
State officials
* Steve Bieda, state senator
* Warren Evans, Wayne County, MI Executive
* Pam Farris, state representative
* Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, state representative
* Erika Geiss, state representative
* Patrick Green, state representative
* Vincent Gregory, state senator
* Curtis Hertel, state senator
* Curtis Hertel Jr., state senator
* Morris Hood III, state senator
* Hoon-Yung Hopgood, state senator
* Frank Kelley, former Michigan Attorney General
* Leslie Love, state representative
* Jeremy Moss, state representative
* Benny Napoleon, Sheriff of Wayne County, MI
* Ronnie Peterson, state representative
* Sam Singh, Minority Leader of the Michigan House of Representatives
* Tim Snelller, state representative
* Rebekah Warren, state senator
* Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor
Local officials
* David Coulter, Mayor of Ferndale
* Mike Duggan, Mayor of Detroit
Labor unions
* American Federation of Teachers
* International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 25
* Michigan AFL–CIO
* Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council
* Michigan Education Association
* Michigan Joint Council of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
* Michigan Pipe Trades Association
* Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights
* Michigan State Conference of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
* Michigan State Utility Workers Council
* Teamsters Local 299
* United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing, Pipefitting and Sprinkler Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada Local 636 (UA)
* United Automobile Workers
Organizations
* EMILY's List
* MI List (MI chapter of EMILY's List)
Individuals
* Jan Bidwell, social worker and activist
* Abdul El Sayed, candidate for governor
* Chelsea Handler, actress
* Cecile Richards, activist
Individuals
* Mary Buzuma, 2014 candidate for governor
* Greg Creswell, 2006 candidate for governor
* Kenneth Proctor, 2010 candidate for governor
Organizations
* The Education Watchdogs
* The Modern Whig Party
* Protect OutStolen Treasures

#### State officials

* Rick Snyder, 48th governor of Michigan (2011–2019)

### Polling

| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Schuette (R) | Gretchen Whitmer (D) | Bill Gelineau (L) | Other | Undecided |
| Mitchell Research | November 5, 2018 | 827 | ± 3.4% | 41% | 48% | – | 5% | 6% |
| Mitchell Research | November 4, 2018 | 701 | ± 3.7% | 40% | 54% | – | 1% | 1% |
| Change Research | November 2–4, 2018 | 880 | – | 43% | 51% | 2% | 3% | – |
| Research Co. | November 1–3, 2018 | 450 | ± 4.6% | 43% | 47% | – | 1% | 9% |
| Glengariff Group | October 25–27, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 50% | 2% | 2% | 9% |
| Emerson College | October 24–26, 2018 | 822 | ± 3.6% | 41% | 52% | – | 3% | 4% |
| Mitchell Research | October 25, 2018 | 400 | ± 5.0% | 43% | 48% | – | 4% | 4% |
| Target-Insyght | October 22–24, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.0% | 44% | 48% | 1% | 4% | 4% |
| EPIC-MRA | October 18–23, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 41% | 46% | 3% | 3% | 7% |
| Michigan State University | October 13–22, 2018 | 169 | – | 39% | 47% | – | – | – |
| ALG Research (D) | October 15–21, 2018 | 906 | ± 3.3% | 36% | 47% | 4% | 6% | 11% |
| ALG Research (D) | October 15–21, 2018 | 906 | ± 3.3% | 38% | 48% | – | – | 13% |
| Marketing Resource Group | October 14–18, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 36% | 50% | 2% | 4% | 7% |
| ALG Research (D) | October 8–14, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 36% | 46% | 3% | 2% | 13% |
| Mitchell Research | September 30 – October 7, 2018 | 654 | ± 3.8% | 38% | 46% | – | 6% | 10% |
| Glengariff Group | September 30 – October 2, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 35% | 47% | – | 5% | 13% |
| ALG Research (D) | September 24–30, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 37% | 49% | 2% | 2% | 10% |
| EPIC-MRA | September 21–25, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 37% | 45% | 2% | 5% | 11% |
| Ipsos | September 14–24, 2018 | 1,150 | ± 3.0% | 39% | 52% | – | 4% | 6% |
| Target-Insyght | September 10–14, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.0% | 41% | 50% | – | – | – |
| Mitchell Research | September 12–13, 2018 | 1,009 | ± 3.0% | 38% | 48% | – | 5% | 9% |
| ALG Research (D) | September 8–13, 2018 | 798 | ± 3.5% | 38% | 45% | 3% | 3% | 11% |
| Strategic National (R) | September 8–9, 2018 | 1,000 | ± 3.1% | 39% | 49% | – | – | 12% |
| Glengariff Group | September 5–7, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 36% | 50% | 2% | 4% | 10% |
| Gravis Marketing | August 14–16, 2018 | 647 | ± 3.9% | 37% | 52% | – | – | 11% |
| Strategic National (R) | August 13–14, 2018 | 700 | ± 3.7% | 36% | 45% | – | 2% | 17% |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.3% | 36% | 43% | – | 9% | 12% |
| Marist College | July 15–19, 2018 | 886 | ± 3.9% | 38% | 47% | – | 1% | 14% |
| Target-Insyght | June 24–26, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.0% | 37% | 42% | – | – | 20% |
| NMB Research (R) | June 18–21, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 39% | 40% | – | – | 20% |
| EPIC-MRA | April 30 – May 3, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 43% | – | – | 19% |
| Glengariff Group | January 16–19, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 33% | 40% | – | – | 25% |
| Michigan State University | September 14, 2017 – January 18, 2018 | 963 | ± 3.2% | 35% | 41% | – | – | 24% |
| EPIC-MRA | December 9–13, 2017 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 35% | – | – | 27% |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 1,000 | ± 3.6% | 40% | 41% | – | – | 19% |
| EPIC-MRA | August 27 – September 1, 2017 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 37% | 37% | – | – | 26% |
with Bill Schuette and Abdul El-Sayed
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Schuette (R) | Abdul El-Sayed (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 33% | 12% | 17% |
| Glengariff Group | January 16–19, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 34% | – | 27% |
with Bill Schuette and Shri Thanedar
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Schuette (R) | Shri Thanedar (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.3% | 35% | 38% | 12% | 15% |
| Target-Insyght | June 24–26, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.0% | 37% | 40% | – | 22% |
| NMB Research (R-Better Jobs PAC) | June 18–21, 2018 | 800 | ± 3.5% | 40% | 40% | – | 19% |
| EPIC-MRA | April 30 – May 3, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 44% | – | 18% |
with Brian Calley and Gretchen Whitmer
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Brian Calley (R) | Gretchen Whitmer (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.3% | 33% | 44% | 8% | 16% |
| Michigan State University | September 14, 2017 – January 18, 2018 | 963 | ± 3.2% | 34% | 42% | – | 24% |
with Brian Calley and Shri Thanedar
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Brian Calley (R) | Shri Thanedar (D) | Other | Undecided |
| Emerson College | July 19–21, 2018 | 600 | ± 4.3% | 38% | 36% | 12% | 14% |
with Bill Schuette and Geoffrey Fieger
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Schuette (R) | Geoffrey Fieger (D) | Undecided |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 1,000 | ± 3.6% | 42% | 35% | 23% |
| EPIC-MRA | August 27 – September 1, 2017 | 600 | ± 4% | 43% | 33% | 24% |
with Bill Schuette and Mike Duggan
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Sample size | Margin of error | Bill Schuette (R) | Mike Duggan (D) | Undecided |
| Target-Insyght | November 1–6, 2017 | 1,000 | ± 3.6% | 32% | 47% | 21% |

### Fundraising

Campaign finance reports as of August 27, 2018 :
| Candidate (party) | Total receipts | Total disbursements | Cash on hand |
| Gretchen Whitmer (D) | $7,134,218.66 | $5,599,850.57 | $1,534,368.09 |
| Bill Schuette (R) | $6,175,889.09 | $4,741,577.63 | $1,434,311.46 |
| Bill Gelineau (L) | $54,785.88 | $51,267.71 | $3,518.17 |
| Source: Michigan Department of State ||||

### Debates

Two televised debates between Schuette and Whitmer were scheduled. The first debate was held on Friday, October 12, and hosted by Grand Rapids television station WOOD-TV. That debate mainly concentrated on issues and there were no surprises or major errors from either candidate. The second debate was hosted by Detroit television station WDIV and was held on Wednesday, October 24. The two again clashed on various issues, but Schuette made a gaffe when he mixed up Whitmer's name with that of former governor Jennifer Granholm.

### Campaign

While Whitmer's Democratic primary opponents publicly endorsed Whitmer in the general election, Republican nominee Schuette left the party split after the acrimonious battle with lieutenant governor Calley, with outgoing governor Rick Snyder refusing to endorse Schuette. Schuette also tried to hide his endorsement by Donald Trump from the primary in the general election. His actions as attorney general also came back to haunt him. Whitmer held consistent leads in polls over Schuette over the entire year.

### Results

2018 Michigan gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Gretchen Whitmer | 2,266,193 | 53.31% | +6.45% |
| | Republican | Bill Schuette | 1,859,534 | 43.75% | −7.17% |
| | Libertarian | Bill Gelineau | 56,606 | 1.33% | +0.20% |
| | Constitution | Todd Schleiger | 29,219 | 0.69% | +0.08% |
| | Green | Jennifer Kurland | 28,799 | 0.68% | +0.21% |
| | Natural Law | Keith Butkovich | 10,202 | 0.24% | N/A |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 32 | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,250,585 | 100.00% | N/A |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

#### Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

* Alger (largest city: Munising)
* Baraga (largest village: Baraga)
* Manistee (largest city: Manistee)

#### Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

* Clinton (largest city: St. Johns)
* Isabella (largest city: Mount Pleasant)
* Kalamazoo (largest city: Kalamazoo)
* Kent (largest city: Grand Rapids)
* Leelanau (largest CDP: Greilickville)
* Macomb (largest city: Warren)
* Oakland (largest city: Troy)

#### By congressional district

Whitmer won 7 of Michigan's 14 congressional districts. The seven districts she won all elected Democrats to Congress, and the seven that Schuette won all elected Republicans, though he won the district that elected Justin Amash by a very narrow margin of 0.4% and the district that elected Fred Upton by an even thinner 0.2%.
| District | Schuette | Whitmer | Representative |
| 1st | 53% | 44% | Jack Bergman |
| 2nd | 52% | 43% | Bill Huizenga |
| 3rd | 48.6% | 48.2% | Justin Amash |
| 4th | 55% | 42% | John Moolenaar |
| 5th | 40% | 57% | Dan Kildee |
| 6th | 48.4% | 48.2% | Fred Upton |
| 7th | 51% | 46% | Tim Walberg |
| 8th | 46% | 51% | Mike Bishop |
| 8th | 46% | 51% | Elissa Slotkin |
| 9th | 38% | 59% | Sander Levin |
| 9th | 38% | 59% | Andy Levin |
| 10th | 56% | 41% |
| 10th | 56% | 41% | Paul Mitchell |
| 11th | 46% | 52% | Dave Trott |
| 11th | 46% | 52% | Haley Stevens |
| 12th | 30% | 67% | Debbie Dingell |
| 13th | 16% | 81% | Brenda Jones |
| 13th | 16% | 81% | Rashida Tlaib |
| 14th | 18% | 80% | Brenda Lawrence |