Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
5.6%
36.9%
26.4%
16.6%
11.2%
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
$394.4K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age46 years old (Jan 25, 1980)
GenderMale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundPolitician
EducationLawton High School (1998)
Notable personal detailsAric Nesbitt is an American politician and Republican member of the Michigan Senate, representing the 20th District and serving as Senate Minority Leader since 2023. He previously served as president pro tempore of the Michigan Senate (2019–2023) and was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives (2011–2017). He has studied at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and earned a B.A. in economics from Hillsdale College and an M.B.A. from the Norwegian School of Economics. He lives in Porter Township, Michigan, with his wife Trisha and their three children.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgsenatoraricnesbitt.comlegislature.mi.govcbsnews.comwsjm.commsae.orgbridgemi.comwikidata.orglinktr.eethealpenanews.comgongwer.comwgvunews.orgfreedomindex.usmlcmi.commichigan-rad.orgmacdc.usarxiv.orgmichiganadvance.comapnews.commichigandems.comgreatlakeswire.comwmuk.orgnesbittforgovernor.commichiganpublic.orgsbam.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgvotenesbitt.commichfb.comclickondetroit.comfreep.comwwmt.comwlns.comdetroitnews.comwilx.comwtol.comeciks.orgwtvbam.comyoutube.comnewsfromthestates.comfacebook.comsenate.govballotready.orgvotesmart.orgslotkin.senate.govncsl.orggovinfo.govcongress.govdocuments.ncsl.orgdocquery.fec.govnga.orgwhitehouse.govstatic.votesmart.org
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.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Aric Nesbitt recently suspended his Michigan governor campaign and endorsed John James after Donald Trump backed James in the Republican primary. Before that, Nesbitt had been campaigning as a GOP gubernatorial candidate and called for a federal review of two Dearborn nonprofits over their use of taxpayer funds. The broader race is still shaping up ahead of Michigan’s August 4 primary, with Republicans facing a tougher political environment.
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Articles
FNFox News25 days ago
Trump endorses Rep. John James for Michigan governor
Neutral
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit5 months ago
Dearborn nonprofits respond to use of taxpayer funds after state senator calls for federal review
Positive
SRSanta Rosa Press Democrat2 months ago
Republicans once saw Michigan as ripe for takeover, but mood shifting
Negative
DFDetroit Free Press5 months ago
When is Michigan's 2026 primary election? Dates to know
Neutral
Polls
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Aric Nesbitt for Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Bob Mendham
Elected official
Newaygo County Sheriff Bob Mendham endorsed Aric Nesbitt for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising