Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
11.4%
37.2%
28.1%
17.7%
5.6%
Republican
Mike Cox
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
$856.2K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleAttorney General
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age64 years old (Dec 30, 1961)
GenderMale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundAttorney
EducationUniversity of Michigan (BA)
Notable personal detailsMichael Anthony Cox is an American attorney and Republican politician who served as the 52nd Attorney General of Michigan from 2003 to 2011. He previously worked as a prosecutor in Wayne County, including as director of the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Homicide Unit. Cox is a former U.S. Marine Corps infantryman and is a University of Michigan graduate with both undergraduate and law degrees. He announced a run for Michigan governor in 2025 and ended his 2026 gubernatorial campaign in July 2026.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgmikecox2026.commichigan.govnaag.orgaxios.comjustice.govmichfb.commichiganrepublicanprimary.comprabook.comelectionstats.kentcountymi.govlegislature.mi.govtransparencyusa.orgdetroitchamber.commikecoxlaw.com9and10news.commichiganadvance.comen-academic.comgovinfo.govcbsnews.comreview-mag.comwachlerblog.comfoxnews.comwkar.orgourmidland.comlifenews.combridgemi.comleaderpub.comag.state.mi.usapnews.commichigandems.comclickondetroit.commichiganpublic.orgwxyz.comfox2detroit.comfreep.commichigandaily.comaudacy.comdetroitnews.compredictionedge.comwcmu.orginstagram.comfacebook.comballotready.orgcongress.govjudiciary.senate.govhistory.house.govnga.orgfec.govwikidata.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgcreativecommons.orgupload.wikimedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate advocates eliminating Michigan’s state income tax and cutting taxes for small businesses while reducing government spending and bureaucracy. His platform calls for eliminating the income tax to “end the tax on work” and for broad spending cuts as part of shrinking government.
Healthcare
Mike Cox has opposed the Affordable Care Act and, as Michigan attorney general, joined legal efforts challenging the law; his campaign materials emphasize market-based measures such as prescription drug price transparency rather than support for expanding federal coverage programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and state authority to assist in enforcing immigration laws, including actions to crack down on illegal immigration and backing Arizona’s 2010 law that allowed local officers to question and potentially arrest undocumented immigrants.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Mike Cox has opposed abortion and as Michigan Attorney General defended state abortion restrictions, including appeals to uphold a partial-birth abortion ban; he has received endorsements from anti-abortion groups. His public record shows support for enforcing limits on abortion rather than supporting unrestricted access.
Climate & Energy
Supports prioritizing local control and market-driven decisions on energy and development projects, favors keeping existing fossil-fuel generation (including “clean coal”) operational to provide cheaper energy, and seeks requirements that large developers build dedicated power capacity rather than statewide mandates for renewable transitions. Positions emphasize lower taxes, local permitting, and technology requirements for projects rather than aggressive regulatory climate targets.
Public Safety & Guns
Mike Cox has publicly defended Second Amendment rights, promoted concealed-carry reciprocity, and opposed local handgun bans. His record as Michigan Attorney General includes filing amicus briefs supporting gun-owner rights and actions to expand recognition of Michigan concealed-pistol licenses.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 29, 2026
Mike Cox has withdrawn from Michigan’s 2026 Republican governor race after President Trump endorsed John James, and he said he will support James. Cox is also in the news for suing Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over delayed FOIA records tied to her past ties to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Before exiting, Cox had been one of the main Republican candidates discussing education and public safety in the race.
en.wikipedia.org+51
Articles
CNCBS News14 days ago
Mike Cox drops out of Michigan's gubernatorial race after Trump endorses John James
Negative
DFDetroit Free Press11 days ago
Michigan 2026 primary election guide to voting
Negative
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit15 days ago
Mike Cox sues Jocelyn Benson over FOIA request seeking records tied to Southern Poverty Law Center
Neutral
WCWDIV ClickOnDetroit18 days ago
Michigan governor candidates offer competing plans to improve education outcomes
Neutral
Polls
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Mike Cox for Michigan Republican Governor nominee?
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising