Swanson launches campaign for governor, proposes sheriffs network for constituent services
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson confirmed Thursday what he had been hinting at since last year: He is running to be the Democratic nominee for governor in 2026.
'I've been wanting to say something for a long time,' Swanson said, before shouting: 'My name is Christopher Robert Swanson, and I'm running for governor of the state of Michigan.'
Swanson 'absolutely' foresees 2026 bid for governor, while Kildee rules out run
'I've been trying to keep that a secret for five years,' Swanson said to laughs from the crowd of supporters who gathered at Mott Community College, holding signs and eating cookies with his campaign logo on them.
At a Flint campaign event for former President Joe Biden in February 2024, Swanson told the Michigan Advance that a gubernatorial bid is 'absolutely' something he foresees, noting that 'it's an open seat in 2026, so we'll see. I'm sure there's a lot of activity.'
Swanson said on Thursday that his platform would be to protect, serve and unify.
He said he would protect schools, places of worship, constitutional rights, civil rights, bargaining rights, personal rights and freedoms and Second Amendment rights.
If elected governor, Swanson said he would bring a 'customer service mindset' to state government, with state offices being rebranded as the 'Help Center of Lansing.'
That includes creating a network of the state's 83 county sheriffs, who would each be assigned an ambassador from the governor's office, so that constituents could call when they need help with something.
'If that sheriff can't solve it, that sheriff should be able to pick up a phone and talk to somebody who can,' Swanson said.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat who is running for governor as an Independent, said earlier Thursday that Swanson is 'not a slouch' and is 'going to make this race a lot more interesting.'
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is also running in the Democratic primary for governor. On the Republican side, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.) has declared himself as a candidate.
Swanson said that he will not attack any of the other candidates because 'you cannot have unity and division at the same time.'
'I have great respect to a mayor, to a secretary of state and a sitting senator. They raised their hand and said, 'I want to do something that I know is going to cost me,'' Swanson said. 'They aren't opponents to me. They're options.'
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson greets supporters after announcing that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announces that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for governor during a rally in Flint, Mich., on Feb. 6, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance)
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