Dixon ran for governor in 2022 but lost to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) by 10 points. Dixon, a conservative commentator and businesswoman, said she will instead focus on supporting the policies of President Donald Trump.
“President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance are saving America,” Dixon said. “From securing the border at rapid speed and removing dangerous criminal illegal aliens from our communities, to bringing manufacturing jobs home and lowering taxes, President Trump’s America First policies are already having positive effects for Americans.
“My focus is protecting and advancing those policies, and as such, I will not be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Michigan governor or U.S. Senate in 2026,” she continued.
The governor’s GOP primary is already growing crowded. The race so far includes five candidates: former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House candidate Anthony Hudson, Rep. John James, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard, and state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.
SENATE DEMOCRATS SEE HOPE FOR MIDTERMS WITH 2024 DOWNBALLOT RESULTS
On the Senate side of the Republican primary, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) launched another campaign for Senate after losing in the 2024 Michigan Senate race by less than a percentage point to Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI). Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) is also reportedly considering running.
The Democratic primary in both races is additionally growing crowded. Democratic candidates for governor include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Democratic candidates for Senate include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, former Wayne County health director Abdul El-Sayed, Rep. Haley Stevens, and state Rep. Joe Tate.
