Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.4%
37.7%
26.4%
18.3%
12.1%
Republican
Aric Nesbitt
Republican candidate for Governor in Michigan
Republican
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
$1.3M
AUG 11, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0%chance to win
$1.3MAUG 11, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age46 years old (Jan 25, 1980)
GenderMale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundPolitician
EducationHillsdale College (B.A., Economics)
Notable personal detailsAric Nesbitt is a Republican politician serving in the Michigan Senate (District 20) and has been the Senate Minority Leader since January 2023. He previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives (2011–2017) and as president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate (2019–2023). Nesbitt is a Hillsdale College graduate and has also studied at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and the Norwegian School of Economics. He and his wife Trisha live in southwest Michigan and have three children.
SourcesShowHide
nesbittforgovernor.comen.wikipedia.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgmichfb.comlegislature.mi.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgsenatoraricnesbitt.commdoe.state.mi.usdbpedia.orgusvotefoundation.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orguppermichiganssource.comwp.stolaf.eduballotready.orgmichiganadvance.comthehistorymakers.orgcongress.govmichigan.govmgoblue.comapnews.commichigandems.comgreatlakeswire.comwmuk.orgmichiganpublic.orgsbam.orgvotenesbitt.comgoogle.comfacebook.comclickondetroit.comwwmt.comcbsnews.comfreep.comwlns.comwilx.comdetroitnews.comwtol.comeciks.orgwxyz.commichigandaily.comwzzm13.comleelanaunews.commlive.comballotpedia.orgnewsfromthestates.comvotesmart.orglegislation.ballotpedia.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgstatic.votesmart.orgsenate.govdocquery.fec.govnga.orghistory.house.govgovinfo.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Aric Nesbitt advocates for major state tax cuts, reduced government spending, and permanent tax relief for families and businesses. He sponsored legislation to lower Michigan’s individual and business income tax rates and has repeatedly criticized tax increases and described surplus revenue as belonging to taxpayers rather than the state.
Healthcare
Supports market-oriented and limited-government approaches to healthcare, opposing government-mandated unionization of home health caregivers and advocating for policies to stabilize rural hospitals through targeted funding and reimbursement reforms. Has criticized Medicaid-related spending decisions in Democratic proposals and voted against a bipartisan state budget that proponents said protected Medicaid. Emphasis is on reducing regulation, limiting expansion of government programs, and prioritizing support for rural health infrastructure rather than broader public coverage expansion.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement and penalties related to cross-border drug trafficking, opposes sanctuary city policies, and backs state and federal measures to increase immigration enforcement including cooperation with ICE and use of the National Guard to secure borders. Has promoted Republican border proposals focused on stricter enforcement and has visited the southern border to observe enforcement operations.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports significant restrictions on abortion, opposes on-demand abortion access, and has called for protections for the unborn while endorsing exceptions only for the life of the mother. Has sponsored and publicly supported legislation and resolutions restricting abortion and backing parental-consent and other limits on abortion access.
Climate & Energy
Supports an all-of-the-above energy approach that preserves and expands use of natural gas and nuclear power, opposes 100% clean-energy mandates and other aggressive renewable mandates, and emphasizes affordable, reliable energy and local control over renewable siting. Has proposed or backed legislation and public statements aimed at rolling back renewable mandates and restoring local energy/zoning control. Advocates policies to promote energy independence including expanded natural gas access and oil/gas production on private land.
Public Safety & Guns
Aric Nesbitt consistently supports Second Amendment rights, opposes new gun restrictions, and has backed legislation to allow concealed carry without a license. He emphasizes investments in school and community security and enforcement rather than new regulatory limits on firearms. His voting record shows no votes in favor of several recent firearm-restricting bills.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Aric Nesbitt has suspended his Michigan governor campaign and endorsed John James after Donald Trump backed James in the Republican primary. He had previously been in the race and had also drawn attention for calling for a federal review of two Dearborn nonprofits over their use of taxpayer funds. The Michigan GOP governor contest is now moving toward the Aug. 4 primary without Nesbitt as a candidate.
nesbittforgovernor.com+53
Articles
FNFox News2 months ago
Trump endorses Rep. John James for Michigan governor
Neutral
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit6 months ago
Dearborn nonprofits respond to use of taxpayer funds after state senator calls for federal review
Positive
CNCBS News18 days ago
Michigan Matters: The Trump Factor in GOP state contests
Neutral
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat3 months ago
Republicans once saw Michigan as ripe for takeover, but mood shifting
Negative
Latest Polls
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Aric Nesbitt currently averages 5.4%, ranking 5th in this race, 6.7 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 5.4%Position: 5thMargin: -6.7 ptsLatest poll: 5.0% (Jul 28 - 29)Polls included: 26
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 28 - 29.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
3Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising