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Marni Sawicki
Marni Sawicki (Democratic Party) is running for election for Governor of Michigan. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Sawicki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Marni Sawicki was born in Battle Creek, Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in 1993 and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 2007. Her career experience includes working in the real estate, retail, and nonprofit sectors and as an executive and former mayor.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
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 | ||
 | Jocelyn Benson (D) | |
 | Garlin Gilchrist II (D) | |
 | Marni Sawicki (D)  | |
| Chris Swanson (D) | ||
 | Mike Cox (R) | |
 | Joyce Gipson (R) | |
 | Anthony Hudson (R) | |
 | John James (R) | |
 | Tom Leonard (R) | |
 | Aric Nesbitt (R) | |
 | Ralph Rebandt (R) | |
 | Evan Space (R) | |
| Karla Wagner (R) | ||
 | Mike Duggan (Independent) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marni Sawicki completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sawicki's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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After a successful career in corporate America, I moved to Florida and became the first female mayor of Cape Coral, one of the state’s largest cities. I took a city on the brink of financial crisis and turned it around—bringing transparency, securing federal grants, and growing the commercial tax base by 50% while lowering taxes. When Hurricane Irma, one of the costliest storms in Florida’s history, hit, our preparation saved lives and infrastructure.
I faced gender discrimination, partisan attacks, and survived domestic violence. Instead of walking away, I became a fighter—for my family, my city, and for others. That resilience is what I bring to Michigan.
I came home in 2021. Today, I’m married to Greg, a Gulf War veteran, and my son serves in the Army National Guard. Service isn’t just a word in our house—it’s our way of life.
But Michigan is falling behind. U.S. News ranks us 41st in education, 39th in infrastructure, and 32nd in the environment. For a state with our talent and resources, that’s unacceptable.
As Governor, I’ll implement the Michigan Open Government Act so every taxpayer dollar and decision is transparent. I’d rather lose telling the truth than win by lying—and I believe Michiganders are ready for that honesty.- Truth and Transparency in Government- Michiganders deserve leaders who are honest and accountable. I’ll champion the Michigan Open Government Act to make every state dollar, contract, and decision public. People should know exactly how their money is spent and who is making decisions. I’d rather lose telling the truth than win by lying, because integrity must come before politics. Voters can count on me to lead with transparency, honesty, and accountability—always putting people ahead of special interests.
- Fix What’s Broken and Invest in the Future- Michigan ranks 41st in education, 39th in infrastructure, and 32nd in the environment. That’s unacceptable for a state with our resources and talent. As mayor, I proved I can deliver—turning around a struggling city, securing grants, and guiding it through crisis. As governor, I’ll bring that same results-driven leadership to rebuild schools, fix our roads and bridges, and invest in clean water and energy. Michigan can and must do better, and I know how to get it done.
- A Fighter for Working Families, Not Special Interests- I’m not backed by political dynasties or corporate insiders—I’m the daughter of a factory worker and a union organizer. I’ve fought through adversity, from gender discrimination to surviving domestic violence, and I’ve never stopped standing up for others. I understand what working families face because I’ve lived it. My candidacy is about giving everyday people—not lobbyists or career politicians—a government that finally works for them. I’ve proven I can deliver results, and I’ll fight for Michigan families every day.
The public policy area I’m most passionate about is transparency. Too many decisions in Lansing are made behind closed doors, with taxpayers left in the dark about where their money goes or why choices are made. As Cape Coral’s mayor, I turned around a struggling city by securing grants and putting accountability systems in place so people could see results for themselves. I’ll do the same in Michigan by championing the Michigan Open Government Act, which will require real-time, searchable reporting of every state contract, dollar, and vote. When government operates in the open, we restore accountability, rebuild trust, and make sure policies serve people—not special interests.
What unites all of these figures is their willingness to stand for truth and justice, often at great personal cost, and their belief that one person’s courage can spark a movement. That’s the example I want to follow in my own leadership. I want to be remembered as someone who fought for people, who told the truth even when it wasn’t easy, and who used my position to open doors for others. Their lives remind me daily that leadership is not about titles or power—it’s about service, courage, and leaving the world better than you found it.
A governor must also be a problem-solver who delivers results. Michigan ranks near the bottom nationally in education, infrastructure, and the environment—areas that directly impact our families and our economy. The governor’s responsibility is to make sure schools are funded fairly, our roads and bridges are safe, and our water and natural resources are protected for future generations. These aren’t partisan issues—they’re basic responsibilities of government.
Equally important is leadership in times of crisis. As Cape Coral’s first female mayor, I guided a city through Hurricane Irma, one of the costliest storms in Florida history. Preparation and transparency saved lives and infrastructure. That experience taught me that a governor must be calm under pressure, decisive, and willing to put people’s safety ahead of politics.
Finally, a governor has a duty to listen and lead with empathy. That means hearing the voices of working families, small business owners, teachers, veterans, and those who often feel left out of Lansing’s decisions. My background as the daughter of a Kellogg’s factory worker and a union organizer, a former mayor, and a survivor has shaped me into someone who knows how to fight through adversity and still keep people at the center of every decision.
Maya Angelou said, “Your legacy is every life you have touched.” That’s the standard I hold myself to. I want my legacy to be that I restored trust in government by making it transparent and accountable, so every Michigander could see how their money was spent and know their voices mattered. I hope people will say I fought for strong schools, safe infrastructure, clean water, and opportunities for all families—not just the wealthy or well-connected.
Beyond policy, I want my legacy to reflect resilience. As someone who survived adversity and still chose to serve, I want others—especially women, survivors, and young people—to know that no matter what you’ve been through, you can rise, lead, and make a difference.
What resonates with me most are the principles it teaches about resilience, compassion, and the importance of training both the mind and the heart. Having faced struggles of my own, I connect deeply with its message that while we can’t control every challenge life gives us, we can choose how we respond. That book reminds me that healing, empathy, and hope aren’t just personal virtues—they’re tools we can use to build a better world.
I connect with her because she shows that women can be powerful and unapologetic while still being deeply caring. Like Wonder Woman, I’ve had to face challenges that tested me, but I came out stronger and more determined to stand up for others. She’s a reminder that leadership isn’t about power for its own sake—it’s about using your gifts to protect, uplift, and inspire.
That journey gave me empathy on a deeper level than I ever had before. It taught me what it truly means to listen, to support others in their hardest moments, and to never judge someone’s path because we rarely know the battles they are fighting. Most of all, it gave me a profound calling to make the world a better place.
With transparency as the foundation, the governor’s duty is to fix what’s broken and invest in the future. Michigan ranks 41st in education, 39th in infrastructure, and 32nd in the environment—unacceptable for a state with our resources and talent. Our children deserve strong schools, our families deserve safe roads and bridges, and every community deserves clean water and protected natural resources.
Supporting those who serve is equally vital. As the wife of a Gulf War veteran and mother of a son in the Army National Guard, I know the sacrifices military families make. A Michigan governor must ensure veterans have access to healthcare, education benefits, job training, and mental health services so they can thrive after service.
Public safety must also be a priority. Communities rely on well-trained, well-equipped first responders, and leaders must support law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency personnel while building trust between them and the people they serve. As mayor, I led Cape Coral through Hurricane Irma—one of the costliest storms in U.S. history—and saw firsthand that preparation and strong partnerships with public safety officials save lives.
The governor should be responsible for presenting a balanced budget that reflects the needs of our people: fully funding education, fixing our infrastructure, protecting our environment, supporting veterans, and ensuring public safety. But it’s not enough to submit numbers on a page. Every Michigander deserves to see where their money is going, how much programs cost, and what outcomes they are achieving. That’s why I will pair budgeting with real accountability—public dashboards that show in plain language how funds are being spent and whether they’re producing results.
As Cape Coral’s mayor, I managed multimillion-dollar budgets and turned a struggling city around by securing grants, restoring reserves, and making government accountable to its residents. Those same principles apply in Michigan: fiscal responsibility, measurable outcomes, and open books.
My philosophy is simple: if a budget line doesn’t serve the people of Michigan, if it lacks accountability, or if it diverts resources away from core needs like education, infrastructure, the environment, veterans, and public safety, then it doesn’t belong in the budget. A governor has a responsibility to stand up against back-room deals and hidden earmarks that don’t align with the state’s long-term goals.
At the same time, I would use this authority with restraint. The budgeting process must remain collaborative, and the legislature’s role deserves respect. My first step will always be negotiation and compromise. But when wasteful or harmful spending is slipped into the budget, I won’t hesitate to use the line-item veto to protect Michigan families.
As governor, I would approach the legislature as a partner in solving problems. That means setting clear priorities, being honest about challenges, and creating space for bipartisan cooperation. Michigan faces serious issues—our schools rank 41st nationally, our infrastructure 39th, and our environment 32nd. These aren’t partisan problems; they’re Michigan problems. Addressing them requires lawmakers and the governor working together toward practical, transparent solutions.
At the same time, collaboration cannot mean compromise on core values. I will always insist on transparency, accountability, and putting working families first. If back-room deals or special-interest giveaways threaten to derail that, I won’t be afraid to push back. But I know from my experience as mayor—where I worked with unions, businesses, and political opponents to secure grants and rebuild trust—that respectful collaboration achieves more than constant division.
Michigan is also blessed with unmatched natural beauty. From the Great Lakes to our forests, farmland, and small towns, our state offers a quality of life that few places in the world can rival. I love that you can watch a sunrise over Lake Huron and a sunset over Lake Michigan in the same day. Protecting that natural beauty—our water, land, and air—is not just policy for me, it’s personal.
But what makes Michigan truly special is the combination of tradition and possibility. We are the state that put the world on wheels, that built a strong middle class through labor and innovation, and that continues to be a place where people believe in hard work and fairness. From teachers and factory workers to small business owners, farmers, veterans, and students, Michiganders represent the very best of the American spirit.
Second is infrastructure. Michigan ranks 39th in the nation, and every Michigander feels it—whether driving over crumbling roads and bridges, living with outdated water systems, or struggling with limited broadband access in rural areas. If we don’t act, these problems will only grow more costly and dangerous.
Third is the environment. With 20% of the world’s freshwater in the Great Lakes, Michigan has both an obligation and an opportunity. Yet we rank 32nd nationally in environmental quality. Contaminated sites, PFAS chemicals, and climate change threaten our water, air, and public health. Protecting these resources is essential not only for our economy and tourism but for our children’s future.
We must also prepare for economic transformation. Global competition, automation, and the clean energy transition will reshape jobs in manufacturing and beyond. Michigan has always been a hub of innovation—we must lead again in advanced manufacturing, EVs, and renewable energy, or risk being left behind.
Finally, we must strengthen public safety and support our veterans. Safe communities and honoring those who served are the foundation of stability and trust.
The governor’s role in these moments is to act swiftly to save lives, protect communities, and stabilize critical systems. I experienced this firsthand as mayor of Cape Coral, when Hurricane Irma—one of the costliest storms in U.S. history—hit. Our preparation and decisive action, taken in close partnership with first responders, saved lives and minimized damage. Michigan deserves the same readiness at the state level.
That said, emergency powers must always come with accountability and transparency. They should be time-limited, subject to oversight, and paired with open communication so the public understands what actions are being taken and why. A governor should never use emergency authority to bypass the legislature unnecessarily or to advance a partisan agenda.
I immediately called the city and had someone go out that day to restore her water service. But it didn’t stop there. When I asked the finance director about payment plan options, I was told we didn’t have any. My response was simple: “Then we will fix that going forward.” And we did.
Under my leadership, we secured over a million dollars in grants, strengthened the city’s finances, and increased the commercial tax base by 50%. At the same time, we reduced taxes while actually increasing the level of services residents received. We lowered the millage rate three of the four years I was in office—proving that government can be both efficient and effective.
Another moment that stands out was leading the city through Hurricane Irma, one of the costliest storms in U.S. history. Preparation and coordination with first responders saved lives and protected critical infrastructure. It was a defining reminder that leadership is about being calm under pressure and always putting people first.
First, government must ensure accountability and transparency in AI applications. Whether AI is used in hiring, criminal justice, or public services, citizens deserve to know how decisions are made, what data is being used, and how bias is prevented. Clear rules and public oversight are essential to protect civil rights and privacy.
Second, Michigan should embrace AI as a tool for innovation and economic growth. As the birthplace of American manufacturing, our state is uniquely positioned to lead in AI-driven industries like advanced mobility, clean energy, and healthcare technology. State government should partner with universities, entrepreneurs, and businesses to attract investment, train workers, and create good-paying jobs in AI-related fields.
Third, AI must be used to improve government itself—streamlining services, cutting red tape, and increasing transparency in budgeting and contracting. Properly designed, AI can save taxpayer dollars and make government more responsive to the people it serves.
Finally, Michigan has a responsibility to ensure that as AI grows, workers, veterans, and families are not left behind. That means investing in education, retraining programs, and workforce development so our people have the skills to thrive in an AI-powered economy.
I would also prioritize protecting poll workers and local election officials, who have too often faced intimidation and harassment simply for doing their jobs. Legislation must provide clear protections, establish penalties for interference or threats, and clarify certification responsibilities so elections cannot be undermined by partisan games.
Another important reform is reducing “ballot overload.” Too many local tax questions and special elections are scheduled during low-turnout cycles, leading to voter fatigue and decisions made by only a small fraction of the community. I would support legislation that requires local tax questions to appear on November ballots, when turnout is highest and more voices are heard.
Most importantly, I would require transparency at every stage of the process. Every Michigan voter should be able to easily see how elections are funded, how ballots are processed, and how results are certified. I believe sunlight is the best disinfectant—and when government operates in the open, people can trust the outcomes.
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.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from OpenSecrets. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
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Candidate Governor of Michigan |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on August 26, 2025
