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Evan Space

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Evan Space
Image of Evan Space

Candidate, Governor of Michigan

Elections and appointments
Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

High school

Thornapple Kellogg High School

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army National Guard

Years of service

2008 - 2016

Personal
Birthplace
Traverse City, Mich.
Religion
Methodist
Profession
Entrepreneur
Contact

Evan Space (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of Michigan. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.

Space completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Evan Space was born in Traverse City, Michigan. He served in the Michigan Army National Guard from 2008 to 2016. He graduated from Thornapple Kellogg High School and went on to study at Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University. His career experience includes working as an entrepreneur. He has been affiliated with the Freemasons.[1]

Elections

2026

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates are running in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

Michigan gubernatorial election

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer (D)
 
54.5
 
2,430,505
Image of Tudor Dixon
Tudor Dixon (R)
 
43.9
 
1,960,635
Image of Mary Buzuma
Mary Buzuma (L) Candidate Connection
 
0.9
 
38,800
Image of Donna Brandenburg
Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
 
0.4
 
16,246
Image of Kevin Hogan
Kevin Hogan (G) Candidate Connection
 
0.2
 
10,766
Image of Daryl Simpson
Daryl Simpson (Natural Law Party) Candidate Connection
 
0.1
 
4,973
Image of Evan Space
Evan Space (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
26
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
21

Total votes: 4,461,972
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan

Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer
 
100.0
 
938,382

Total votes: 938,382
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Michigan

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tudor Dixon
Tudor Dixon
 
39.7
 
436,350
Image of Kevin Rinke
Kevin Rinke
 
21.5
 
236,306
Image of Garrett Soldano
Garrett Soldano
 
17.5
 
192,442
Image of Ryan Kelley
Ryan Kelley
 
15.1
 
165,587
Image of Ralph Rebandt
Ralph Rebandt Candidate Connection
 
4.1
 
45,046
Image of James Craig
James Craig (Write-in)
 
2.1
 
23,521
Elizabeth Adkisson (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
11
Justin Blackburn (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
10

Total votes: 1,099,273
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green convention

Green convention for Governor of Michigan

Kevin Hogan advanced from the Green convention for Governor of Michigan on April 23, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Kevin Hogan
Kevin Hogan (G) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Governor of Michigan

Mary Buzuma advanced from the Libertarian convention for Governor of Michigan on July 10, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Mary Buzuma
Mary Buzuma (L) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention

U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Governor of Michigan

Donna Brandenburg advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Governor of Michigan on July 23, 2022.

Candidate
Image of Donna Brandenburg
Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers Party)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Congressional election

See also: Michigan's 11th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 11

Incumbent Haley Stevens defeated Mark Ambrose in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Haley Stevens
Haley Stevens (D)
 
61.3
 
224,537
Image of Mark Ambrose
Mark Ambrose (R) Candidate Connection
 
38.7
 
141,642

Total votes: 366,179
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11

Incumbent Haley Stevens defeated incumbent Andy Levin in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Haley Stevens
Haley Stevens
 
59.9
 
70,508
Image of Andy Levin
Andy Levin
 
40.1
 
47,117

Total votes: 117,625
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11

Mark Ambrose defeated Matthew DenOtter in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark Ambrose
Mark Ambrose Candidate Connection
 
70.5
 
42,270
Image of Matthew DenOtter
Matthew DenOtter Candidate Connection
 
29.5
 
17,702

Total votes: 59,972
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian convention

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign finance

2018

See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 and Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2018 (August 7 Republican primary)

Evan Space, Angelo Brown, Larry Hutchinson, Robin Sanders, William Cobbs, Patrick O’Neal Burney, Raymond Hall, Lance Herman, Henry Lester, Clyde Lynch, Chaneika Ranell Penny, Francis Rowley, John Arthur Williams ran as write-in candidates.[2]

General election

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 6, 2018.


General election

General election for Governor of Michigan

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer (D)
 
53.3
 
2,266,193
Image of Bill Schuette
Bill Schuette (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.7
 
1,859,534
Image of Bill Gelineau
Bill Gelineau (L)
 
1.3
 
56,606
Image of Todd Schleiger
Todd Schleiger (U.S. Taxpayers Party)
 
0.7
 
29,219
Image of Jennifer Kurland
Jennifer Kurland (G)
 
0.7
 
28,799
Image of Keith Butkovich
Keith Butkovich (Natural Law Party)
 
0.2
 
10,202
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
32

Total votes: 4,250,585
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary

Gretchen Whitmer defeated Abdul El-Sayed and Shri Thanedar in the Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.


Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Michigan

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer
 
52.0
 
588,436
Image of Abdul El-Sayed
Abdul El-Sayed
 
30.2
 
342,179
Image of Shri Thanedar
Shri Thanedar
 
17.7
 
200,645

Total votes: 1,131,260
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Bill Schuette defeated Brian Calley, Patrick Colbeck, and Jim Hines in the Republican primary for Governor of Michigan on August 7, 2018.


Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Michigan

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Bill Schuette
Bill Schuette Candidate Connection
 
50.7
 
501,959
Image of Brian Calley
Brian Calley
 
25.2
 
249,185
Image of Patrick Colbeck
Patrick Colbeck
 
13.1
 
129,646
Image of Jim Hines
Jim Hines
 
11.0
 
108,735

Total votes: 989,525
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Evan Space completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Space's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Evan Space is a Michigander and military veteran Yooper. Currently a returning Gubernatorial candidate from 2018 and 2022, and believe that perseverance will pay off in efforts of improving the lives of Michigan! He is an entrepreneur of over 30 years. While his time of service was in the Michigan Army National Guard 8 years 12B (Sappers). His education was attending GVSU Political Science and WMU ROTC cadet. He competed 4 years of wrestling at GV NCWA 149lbs weight class. After his time of service he aspired to make a difference and build a Political policy platform for Governor of Michigan and has been actively developing a plan of action to use his knowledge and disciplines to make that happen. Evan Space also has fulfilled his time with acting and becoming involved in Netflix movies & over 14 years improv acting. This has been helpful towards his presence of debates talks and speeches his had attributed up until now. Being a polished entertainer, Space will astonish you with another craft as a magician adding an extra bit of personality to his presence. On his off time Space takes care of his 5 dog pack of American Bulldog and Mastibulls. His advocacy towards animals is a unmatched with care of a mini zoo and promises to be among the most animal friendly states as Governor. Continuing his athleticism and entertainment. Evan Space gives Michigan and the Upper Peninsula the actual opportunity at developing a state to Make Michigan Magnificent!
  • The time has arrived to build economic recovery for the state of Michigan and the Upper Peninsula! Space will push to balance better living conditions for everyone. Knowing prices are high due to inflation, his administration will work to find opportunities for lowering and adjusting to assist in the needs of every Michigander's lifestyle. Evan Space is a lifetime resident of Michigan working as an entrepreneur and 8 year military veteran. He is a Political Science major at GVSU, and WMU, ROTC cadet, who understands the needs and wants of Michigan and the U P. Let Mr. Space become your voice. Make Michigan Magnificent! Join Space's campaign to Governor
  • The state of michigan has gone through a lot of turnoil. Much of our history is being changed in our state. While new laws that are being written. Evan space will promise to make a recovery effort in safeguarding you're civil rights, and correct faulty courts and law enforcement including the DOC. Schools will become safe grounds once again away from outside influence, education will be readily available for private public and homeschooling. No more history will be erased! Space will safeguard your citizenship as Michiganders and will never impede the 2nd amendment. Our state needs to protect our lives and growth and that is the mission Space plans to do for our state.
  • Every Michigander wants to have that feeling of waking up knowing the state is becoming stable and that they have money in their pockets and accounts. We want to bring new life to our state, feel involved, and protected. Space understands these needs a balanced Republican Gubernatorial candidate that will provide these solutions. Our state does not need to continue with making anyone feel like that are forgotten. Everyone here matters. From the time you grow up, Space administration wants a positive impact for your chance at life. Opportunities for jobs be there and fix the economy the right way Michigan needs.
Good roads, good jobs, good pay, affordable housing, educational needs for everyone's tailored needs and overhaul of the FOC DOC and infastructure of spending including tax relief and eliminations are key components to my building blocks of necessity to the state. I'm a huge participant taker to involving Michigan in the Space Exploration programs and potential launch sites. Filming in Michigan I'll promote and politics will remain neutral in the opportunity. Lastly for much of the damage that was done to the state. With laws, historical sites, and education for everyone. Space will make efforts to correct these faults.
I have had several encounters with 4 Governors in my life and have grown up with two of my childhood icons becoming Governor and acting. Most of my role models are highly motivated and reach to achieve unimaginable goals and success. My Grandfathers would be my biggest role models I follow after.
A tribute of good moral fiber is to a character's personal cause to believe and follow. A policy should be on when they look forward to making it better for the people. Space works to promoting transparency for the time in office and developing a good bond with the people of Michigan.
Listening to both sides of the political aisle and other parties involved I bring a chance for the best possible choices to be made in office. My transparency would allow us to rationalize decent decisions.
The governor of Michigan should always consider what is best for the state. Being involved with the community and making decisions that are tougher them most with the choice interest of the best potential outcome aka transparency. The position should have the responsibilities to find the new opportunities evolving available.
And what is best?
A broaden Space Exploration program for the state, allowing Michigan the chance to give the Upper Peninsula 51st statehood, and several tunnels connecting Upper and lower Michigan. Creating a economy for Michigan that works.
Mount Saint Helen erupted in the United States and I was just under 1 years old.
I was a window washer, at 8 years old working in the family business and have remained with the profession for over 36 years.
Good Steven King novel, because it's a good read.
Surfing Bird "Have you, heard, Bird is the word, Bird....
Never letting any failure or unsuccessful attempt that may occur to keep you down. It is by any disability a person may have visible or hidden that perseverance will always come with those who really try. I have been a pro fighter my entire life and if I have ever lost, it wasn't due to failure. It was meant that match needed a 4th period. I stand as a pinnless wrestler and mma fighter in hundreds of matches and yet if I lost, success is just never quitting.
Being Michigander means snowy blackouts, extreme summer heat, tornadoes, environmental mishaps and security these are the needs of a Michigan and Yooper Governor. Passing reasonable laws and intervention when needed. Being that voice for anyone in Michigan. Lastly compassion and involvement a citizen chosen to lead by example.
I believe the appropriate degree of involvement with the governor should be appointed to economic advisors. The choice matter of state budgets is a senate involved issues and the Governors position is to make the appropriate decisions best for the state.
My philosophy is that if it does not fit the best outcome for the proposal and the people, I will not equip and veto unnecessary laws or bills as needed.
Is the workability to work alongside both political parties in making agendas and policies making changes the laws only for the better. The the governor needs to make sure that all legislation that is done in Michigan is presented properly to be voted on and not hidden from the people.
"Hold my beer while I try something," an infamous measure of Michigan in a slogan of good bad and ugly. Representing the unmeasurable fearlessness any Michigander or Yooper must be to be called one. This is a tough weather personality character of all the great state. I have been drawn here for my lifetime and served a year across seas to protect this land. Michigan is truly unique and wonderful.
The right direction we need to go with fuels and transportation. Electric vehicles must have options available for other means as well. Energy consumption and availability must be attentive. Michigan has extreme weather conditions and power usage must be a priority to make that happen in the right way.
Pete and Repeat are on the edge of a cliff, Pete slips and falls off, who is left?
During the time only needed when security, infastructure, or environmental emergency are at risk. During times of litigation when intervention must occur for vetos. This should be the core of emergency power.
It is crucial to developing a financial budget that works without overspending and keeping funds available to where we need them. Government accountability is important for they are parts of everyone's daily lives. And should not be misrepresented or used wrongfully.
I believe what is best for the state, and believe a lot of the Michigan needs to remain in the hands of the voting population. Keeping initiative available opportunities to become bills for voting will keep balance to the process.
With great authority comes great responsibility, and as Governor it would mean that I would uphold the moral fiber and values for the great state of Michigan and the United States of America. Being in that position. I would exercise my rights to be involved with better understanding all walks of life with jobs agriculture education military religion and any other important involvement a Governor may be with.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Michigan gubernatorial election

Evan Space did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.


Congressional election

Evan Space did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2018

The following position statements were found on Space's campaign website. For a full list of position statements, click here.

Flint water Crisis
Flint, Michigan has become riddled with problems that could have been avoided and now the repercussions of the actions taken have taken heavy tolls on the residents of the city. From the diversion of water supply that came from Detroit lead free has now erupted with poisoness contaminates of lead and made the drinking water supply tainted and unusable. Governor Snyder had place too much emphasis and power into very few individuals that made this disaster happen. Continually backing the wrong decisions and his current choices of these individuals the administration and attourney general protect them from the charges that they should face. This includes any and all administartive personel in the governors cabinet. If there is to be change that needs to be done than re-election of the same administration that runs our state government needs to change hand to a new perspective candidate that will folllow through with correcting the problem. Space and his adminstration will seek out to make these adjustments immediately in action and be ready to protect and help all the citizens of Flint.

Detroit rebuilding from bankruptcy
The faulty economy of Detroit fell into hard times and needed to bail out, which led the city into filing bankruptcy. Since the closing of large portions of business, the city has continued to come into harder times. Neighborhoods and abandonment of buildings and homes plague the area without a sure way to bring back the economy of Detroit. Seeking to rebuild the faulty economy of the city, Space will propose innovative ideas which involve restructuring the city into renewable energy and power resource development creating new jobs and lower priced energy for Michigan and surrounding areas of our state.

Budget cuts to national budget for Michigan's environmental protection
Outside of the state the federal governent and the President of the United States seek to cut the environment budget. This includes the largest portion of the Great Lakes protection and clean up of contamination and leads to the cutting of jobs that help keep our environment clean and safe for our ecosystem. The Space administration will keep up the fight to do what ever is necessary in negotiations with big government and maintain the safest environment for the state. Michigan's natural resources are vast and amazing with the geographic location of the lakes. Natural habitats and clean water are a must to not overlook or cut budgets around. Asian Carp threaten our ecosystem and should be a continuing concern as a species we must keep under control from entering the lakes.[3]

—Evan Space[4]

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Evan Space campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2022Governor of MichiganLost general$0 $0
Grand total$0 $0
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 26, 2024.
  2. State of Michigan Bureau of Elections, "Write-in Candidates for November 6, 2018: Final Listing," accessed November 2, 2018
  3. Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  4. Evan Space for Governor, "The Issues," accessed October 22, 2017