DETROIT FREE PRESS: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson launches Democratic bid for governor
CLARA HENDRICKSON
FLINT — Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson — a Democrat — launched his campaign to serve as Michigan’s next governor with party lights, a DJ, balloons and customized cookies bearing his name for supporters at an event at Mott Community College on Thursday evening.
He took the stage with a cinematic walk-up song and the crowd chanting his name as he circled the room giving out high-fives. “Isn’t this exciting?” he shouted in kicking off his remarks at full volume. “Yes, I am always like this,” he said toward the end of his speech in which he vowed to bring “pure energy” to Michigan.
Swanson described himself as a born leader and joked to his supporters that he tried to keep his decision to run for governor a secret for five years. “I want to lead and help people and inspire an entire generation in the state of Michigan,” he said to applause.
Parked outside the venue where Swanson spoke stood a large bus featuring his face and the slogan “GREAT DAYS AHEAD!” ready to hit the campaign trail.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is currently serving her second term in office and is ineligible to run again. Her successor will take office in 2027. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson — a Democrat — has already launched her bid to replace Whitmer. On the GOP side of the race, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, stands as the lone Republican in the race for now. But the race has not shaped up as a typical red versus blue affair. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan — a longtime Democrat — has decided to skip a party primary altogether, running as an independent gubernatorial candidate.
Benson, Duggan and Nesbitt all kicked off their campaigns online with news releases accompanied by high-production videos introducing them to voters. More candidates could enter the race soon.
Joel Archibald, 55 of Kimball Township, said he’s all in for Swanson. “Absolutely. 100%,” he said after Swanson’s remarks. Archibald, Business Manager for LIUNA Local 1075, was among several union-affiliated supporters who joined Swanson for the event.
Swanson didn’t go in-depth on the specific policy proposals that would anchor his campaign Thursday. But he laid out generally how he would approach the job if elected governor, vowing to bring a customer service mindset to state government. And he promised to run a positive campaign, refraining from attacking his opponents. “When there is a challenge, we’ll solve it. When there’s a crisis, we will bring calm. And when there’s an opportunity, we’re going to seize it. We’re going to seize it as a state for everybody not just one,” he said. He named protecting Michigan residents’ 2nd Amendment, collective bargaining and civil rights as some of his priorities as well as the freedom to worship in a speech in which he invoked his own faith, saying the Lord had opened doors for him.
Swanson was elected to serve as Genesee County Sheriff in 2020. He won reelection in 2024. Swanson grew up in Grand Blanc and currently lives in Fenton. He has worked in law enforcement for almost three decades, according to the Genesee County Sheriff’s website.
He spoke during a prime time slot at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, using the national platform to condemn President Donald Trump supporters’ assault on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, and reflect on the time he and his deputies joined a march against police brutality during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests.
To qualify for the ballot, candidates for governor must submit petitions with a certain number of voter signatures.