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Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Swanson launches campaign for governor, proposes sheriffs network for constituent services
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 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) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan Governor race: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson enters the race
FLINT, Mich. (FOX 2) - A prominent face in Genesee County has thrown his hat into the ring, running for Michigan Governor in 2026. Dig deeper Known for his energetic approach to law enforcement, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson was the latest candidate to toss a hat into the race to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Swanson launched his campaign at Mott Community College in Flint on Thursday night. "The bottom line is, if you want to ask me why I'm running for governor, cause I want to help people. That's it. That's it. It doesn't have to be complicated," Swanson told supporters. "Not only will I protect you and your families, and the things that mean the most to you, I'm going to protect the economy because you can't do what you need to do without an economy that's growing." Swanson was first elected Genesee County's top cop in 2020 and has embraced calls for police reform while targeting human trafficking operations. He gained national exposure as a speaker at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, but political observers say he's still largely unknown outside the Flint area. Big picture view The gubernatorial field is now one larger candidate and already includes current Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's also in the contest, but as an independent looking to shake things up. "If I'm not trying to change the system, I should go do something else. I think the system is broken, it needs to be upended. The two parties have had a death grip on our politics for too long," he said. Meanwhile, on the other side, State Senate GOP Leader Aric Nesbitt of Michigan's west side is the only Republican to enter the race so far. He's been one of Whitmer's fiercest critics in Lansing. "The Governor and Democrats believe it is they who know how to spend your money best," he said.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Michigan sheriff who took off helmet, marched with protesters in 2020, launches bid to replace Gov. Whitmer
A high-profile sheriff in Michigan announced his bid to run for governor, replacing 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 speaking at the Democratic National Convention last August. The race is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested political battles of 2026. Swanson first gained national attention in May 2020, just days after the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice. He famously took off his riot gear and marched alongside demonstrators after telling them: "I want to make this a parade, not a protest." His bid comes as the Democratic Party seeks a new kind of candidate who can address top voter concerns such as immigration and public safety, issues Swanson plans to make central to his campaign. Newsom Changes Tone On Trump From Campaign Rhetoric With Federal Wildfire Recovery Funds At Stake Swanson formally announced his bid at Mott Community College, his alma mater, in Flint on Thursday night. He was joined by a packed house of more than 400 supporters from across the state. Read On The Fox News App "When there's a challenge, we will solve it. When there's a crisis, we will bring calm. When there's an opportunity, we will seize it," Swanson said. "I believe everyone has value. Michigan has value. It's why I've always tried to find ways to help and bring people together. I believe that together, we are tough enough to win for Michigan." Out Of Power: Democrats Disoriented In Fight Against Trump Agenda In entering the race, Swanson joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic primary, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II mulling a potential bid. On the Republican side, Aric Nesbitt, the top GOP state Senate leader, has announced his candidacy. U.S. Rep. John James ais lso considered to be a potential contender. Detroit's once-Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan further shook up the race by entering as an independent. Swanson has never won a race outside of Genesee County and he will be competing in the primary against Benson, who has won multiple statewide races and raised millions of dollars. Swanson remains largely unknown outside his county, which is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit. The sheriff's appeal as a non-traditional candidate could resonate in a battleground state like Michigan, where winning requires broad, cross-party support. In the 2024 election, Swanson was reelected with 65% of the vote in Genesee County — running nearly 14 percentage points ahead of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Swanson's decision to remove his riot gear and march alongside protesters at a demonstration in Flint following Floyd's May 2020 death sparked national attention and praise from prominent Democrats, including Whitmer and former President Barack Obama. He said this month that police had planned for a different response, but "as I was walking up, I thought, there's got to be a better way." Trump Executive Order To Deport Hamas Sympathizers On Campuses Prompts Student Newspaper To Delete Names It also helped propel him to an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in August, where he wore his sheriff's uniform and endorsed Harris in a brief speech. The appearance was a rare show of law enforcement support for the then-vice president. Sheriffs in Michigan and across the country frequently aligned themselves with President Donald Trump during his tough-on-crime, anti-illegal immigration presidential campaign. Swanson's background could boost his appeal in a general election, especially as immigration remains a top voter concern. However, he may face challenges in the Democratic primary, where some in the party have made calls to "defund the police" and reform law enforcement. "It's time that we have a different type of candidate coming through the system, not just the next one up," said Swanson. "People, I think, are hungry for something new and fresh. Certainly the party is. And I'm that person." Swanson's gubernatorial bid was first announced in The Associated article source: Michigan sheriff who took off helmet, marched with protesters in 2020, launches bid to replace Gov. Whitmer
Fox News
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Michigan sheriff who took off helmet, marched with protesters in 2020, launches bid to replace Gov. Whitmer
A high-profile sheriff in Michigan announced his bid to run for governor, replacing 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 speaking at the Democratic National Convention last August. The race is shaping up to be one of the most fiercely contested political battles of 2026. Swanson first gained national attention in May 2020, just days after the police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis sparked nationwide protests against racial injustice. He famously took off his riot gear and marched alongside demonstrators after telling them: "I want to make this a parade, not a protest." His bid comes as the Democratic Party seeks a new kind of candidate who can address top voter concerns such as immigration and public safety, issues Swanson plans to make central to his campaign. Swanson formally announced his bid at Mott Community College, his alma mater, in Flint on Thursday night. He was joined by a packed house of more than 400 supporters from across the state. "When there's a challenge, we will solve it. When there's a crisis, we will bring calm. When there's an opportunity, we will seize it," Swanson said. "I believe everyone has value. Michigan has value. It's why I've always tried to find ways to help and bring people together. I believe that together, we are tough enough to win for Michigan." In entering the race, Swanson joins Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic primary, with Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II mulling a potential bid. On the Republican side, Aric Nesbitt, the top GOP state Senate leader, has announced his candidacy. U.S. Rep. John James ais lso considered to be a potential contender. Detroit's once-Democratic Mayor Mike Duggan further shook up the race by entering as an independent. Swanson has never won a race outside of Genesee County and he will be competing in the primary against Benson, who has won multiple statewide races and raised millions of dollars. Swanson remains largely unknown outside his county, which is about 70 miles northwest of Detroit. The sheriff's appeal as a non-traditional candidate could resonate in a battleground state like Michigan, where winning requires broad, cross-party support. In the 2024 election, Swanson was reelected with 65% of the vote in Genesee County — running nearly 14 percentage points ahead of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Swanson's decision to remove his riot gear and march alongside protesters at a demonstration in Flint following Floyd's May 2020 death sparked national attention and praise from prominent Democrats, including Whitmer and former President Barack Obama. He said this month that police had planned for a different response, but "as I was walking up, I thought, there's got to be a better way." It also helped propel him to an appearance at the Democratic National Convention in August, where he wore his sheriff's uniform and endorsed Harris in a brief speech. The appearance was a rare show of law enforcement support for the then-vice president. Sheriffs in Michigan and across the country frequently aligned themselves with President Donald Trump during his tough-on-crime, anti-illegal immigration presidential campaign. Swanson's background could boost his appeal in a general election, especially as immigration remains a top voter concern. However, he may face challenges in the Democratic primary, where some in the party have made calls to "defund the police" and reform law enforcement. "It's time that we have a different type of candidate coming through the system, not just the next one up," said Swanson. "People, I think, are hungry for something new and fresh. Certainly the party is. And I'm that person." Swanson's gubernatorial bid was first announced in The Associated Press.
