Michigan

Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited after signing gun reform, right-to-work repeal, and reproductive rights protections into law during the 2023-2024 Democratic trifecta. Now the state has divided government: Democrats hold the Senate, Republicans control the House. The 2026 governor’s race will decide whether those gains survive.

House Republicans already tried to cut $645 million in state spending without Senate approval. Federal cuts to Medicaid and SNAP threaten 700,000 residents. Auto tariffs put 280,000 workers at risk. This page covers each fight and what you can do.

---

Governor race

Whitmer’s successor will inherit veto power over a divided legislature, control of state agencies, and the authority to defend or dismantle four years of progressive legislation. Mike Duggan dropped his independent bid on May 21, reshaping the race weeks before the primary.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson leads the Democratic primary at 52% with 36% undecided in an Emerson College poll from April 2026. The Republican field is wide open. Perry Johnson and John James are statistically tied at 21% and 20% with 39% undecided in the same survey.

The governor’s race, all 110 House seats, and half the Senate are on the November 3 ballot. Republicans hold the House. Democrats hold the Senate.

The next governor controls veto power and the budget negotiation that decides whether Michigan’s health and education systems survive the federal cuts or absorb them.

---

Healthcare and benefits

The federal reconciliation bill would strip health coverage from up to 700,000 Michiganders and cut food assistance for 71,000 households. Michigan has 2.7 million Medicaid recipients, more than 25% of the state population.

The economic damage extends far beyond hospitals. The Commonwealth Fund projects $4.53 billion in GDP loss and 41,500 jobs eliminated statewide.

$4.53 billion projected GDP loss from Medicaid and SNAP cuts in Michigan

Michigan’s SNAP population is 1.47 million residents, roughly 15% of the state. Over 211,000 households would lose at least $25 per month. The state would absorb up to $800 million per year in new benefit costs and $90 million per year in administrative costs as the state share rises to 75%.

---

Budget fight

House Republicans used a rarely invoked provision of the Management and Budget Act to cut $645 million in state spending without Senate approval or public debate. Attorney General Dana Nessel called the cuts unconstitutional. The Democrat-led Senate voted to restore the funding. House Republicans vowed to sue.

House Republican budget cuts declared unconstitutional, December 2025

Agency	Cut	What it funds
Technology, Management and Budget	$192.2M	State IT, facilities, procurement
Labor and Economic Opportunity	$137.2M	Workforce training, unemployment
Health and Human Services	$69.2M	Medicaid processing, child welfare

The 2026-27 budget deepens the standoff. House Republicans passed a $76 billion budget in April 2026 with deep cuts to health, environment, and universities. Democrats and Whitmer proposed $800 million in tax increases. Republicans proposed $800 million in cuts they call targeting “waste, fraud, and abuse.”

The legislature missed its October 1 constitutional deadline in 2025, causing a short government shutdown before a deal was reached. The same dynamic is building again.

---

Universities

The House GOP budget would cut state funding to the University of Michigan by $222 million (62%) and to Michigan State by $199 million (62%). Republicans argue the cuts represent less than 2% of each school’s overall budget and point to large endowments. Democrats say the math does not work that way.

Federal pressure compounds the state cuts. U-M dismantled its DEI initiative in March 2025 after Trump’s executive order banning federal funding of DEI programs. The university’s $2.16 billion research portfolio includes $1.25 billion in federal funding now at risk.

House Speaker Matt Hall said he is “very disappointed in what the universities are doing” and cited a lack of focus on Michigan high school graduates.

---

Auto tariffs

Trump’s 25% tariffs on foreign-made vehicles and key parts hit Michigan harder than any other state. The state has 280,000 auto industry workers and 2,200 supplier and tech center facilities. Cross-border trade totals $146 billion annually between Canada and Mexico.

GM, Ford, and Stellantis stocks dropped 5-6% on the tariff announcement. University of Michigan economists project steel and aluminum tariffs alone will cost 2,300 payroll jobs in 2026.

280,000 Michigan auto industry workers affected by 25% tariffs on vehicles and parts

The EV transition adds a second layer of uncertainty. Michigan has attracted $26.9 billion in private EV manufacturing investment and created 26,800 jobs. But Ford said reversing its EV investments to shift back to gas-powered vehicles would cost $19 billion. Southern states are actively recruiting Michigan automakers and suppliers to build a competing “battery belt.”

Whitmer created a tariff refund assistance program to help businesses seek refunds on Trump tariffs.

---

Protect yourself right now

1. Check your voter registration. Confirm your status at michigan.gov/vote. Michigan has same-day registration, but checking early avoids lines and problems.

2. Know who is running for governor. The primary will narrow both fields. Read each candidate’s position on Medicaid, university funding, and tariff response before you vote.

3. Call your state legislators about the budget. Tell them whether you support the $645 million in cuts or the restoration. Find your legislator at legislature.mi.gov. Name the specific agency you care about.

4. Verify your Medicaid and SNAP status. If you receive benefits, keep your contact information current with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 1-844-799-9876. Do not wait for a letter to arrive.

5. Track your university’s state funding. If you are a student, parent, or employee at U-M or MSU, contact your state representative and ask whether they voted for the 62% cut. University boards meet publicly. Show up.