Overview of the 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial Election
The 2018 Michigan governor race was a competitive statewide contest held on November 6, 2018, as part of the U.S. midterm elections. Incumbent Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who had served since 2011, was term-limited and could not seek a third consecutive term. The general election featured Democratic candidate Gretchen Whitmer, a former state senator and minority leader, and Republican candidate Bill Schuette, then serving as Michigan Attorney General. Whitmer won the race with 53.3% of the vote to Schuette’s 45.2%, marking a Democratic pickup in the office after eight years of Republican leadership.
Candidates in the 2018 Michigan Gubernatorial Race
Democratic Nominee: Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer, the former Ingham County Prosecutor and Minority Leader in the Michigan Senate, secured the Democratic nomination in the August 2018 primary. She ran on a platform emphasizing fiscal responsibility, infrastructure investment, expanding access to healthcare, protecting Medicaid, improving education funding, and addressing water quality issues. Whitmer emphasized pragmatic, evidence-based policymaking and presented herself as a bipartisan problem-solver willing to work with a Republican legislature on key issues.
Republican Nominee: Bill Schuette
Bill Schuette, Michigan’s Attorney General since 2011 and a former U.S. Representative, won the Republican nomination in the August 2018 primary. His campaign focused on conservative policies including limiting abortion, strengthening law enforcement, opposing illegal immigration, cutting taxes, and reducing regulations. Schuette ran as a traditional conservative aligned with then-President Donald Trump’s agenda, seeking to maintain Republican control of the governor’s office.
Primary Results and Nomination Process
In the August 7, 2018, nonpartisan primary, candidates from all parties appeared on the same ballot, with the top vote-getter from each party advancing to the general election. Whitmer won the Democratic primary with nearly 61% of the vote, defeating businessman Abdul El-Sayed and other challengers. Schuette won the Republican primary with approximately 57%, defeating former Congressman Justin Amash and other candidates. Third-party candidates, including Libertarian nominee Bill Gelineau and Green Party nominee Jim Haadsma, also appeared on the general election ballot but received limited visibility.
General Election and Results
In the November 6, 2018, general election, Whitmer defeated Schuette by a margin of 8 percentage points, carrying 61 of Michigan’s 83 counties. She performed strongly in urban and suburban areas, including Wayne County (Detroit), Oakland County, and Ingham County, while Schuette held many rural counties. Turnout was high, reflecting heightened engagement around healthcare, abortion rights, taxes, and infrastructure. The outcome flipped the governor’s office back to the Democratic Party after eight years of Republican governance under Rick Snyder.
Key Issues and Campaign Themes
- Healthcare and Medicaid expansion: Whitmer supported expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act; Schuette opposed the expansion as originally designed.
- Abortion rights: Schuette pledged to appoint judges who would restrict abortion; Whitmer framed abortion access as a healthcare and privacy issue.
- Taxes and budgets: Candidates disagreed on tax policy, with Whitmer emphasizing balanced investment and Schuette advocating for tax cuts.
- Infrastructure and water: Flint remained a prominent symbol; Whitmer proposed increased infrastructure spending and stricter drinking water standards.
- Education funding: Whitmer emphasized increased per-pupil funding and teacher support; Schuette focused on school choice and charter school oversight.
Post-Election Context and Legacy
Whitmer’s victory in 2018 set the stage for her administration’s work on reopening schools and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and navigating subsequent economic and public health challenges. The 2018 race also energized grassroots organizing, increased youth and minority voter participation, and highlighted ongoing debates over voting access and election administration in Michigan. It remains a key reference point in understanding the state’s recent political dynamics and policy priorities.
Candidates and General Election Results at a Glance
| Candidate | Party | Primary Outcome | General Election Result | Status After 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gretchen Whitmer | Democratic | Won Democratic nomination with ~61% | Won election with 53.3% of vote | Governor of Michigan (2019–present) |
| Bill Schuette | Republican | Won Republican nomination with ~57% | Lost with 45.2% of vote | Returned to private practice; ran for U.S. House in 2022 |
| Bill Gelineau | Libertarian | Did not advance from primary | Received limited votes in general | Continued Libertarian activism |
| Jim Haadsma | Green | Did not advance from primary | Received limited votes in general | Continued Green Party engagement |
FAQ
Reader questions
Who could vote in the 2018 Michigan primary?
Michigan used a nonpartisan primary system in 2018. All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, could vote for any candidate but were shown only the races for their own party’s candidates in the partisan sections of the ballot.
Were there third-party candidates on the ballot?
Yes. Third-party candidates included Bill Gelineau (Libertarian) and Jim Haadsma (Green). They met ballot access requirements but did not win major-party nominations.
Did the 2018 election affect future redistricting or voting policies in Michigan?
The 2018 election, along with other midterm results, contributed to subsequent policy debates over redistricting and voting access. In 2018, Michigan voters also approved Proposal 2, establishing an independent redistricting commission, which affected subsequent cycles.
How does the Michigan governor’s race relate to other statewide contests in 2018?
The governor’s race was one of several competitive statewide contests in 2018, including U.S. Senate, secretary of state, and attorney general elections, reflecting high engagement around governance and policy direction.