WAYNE COUNTY — The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board endorsed candidates in Michigan's primary election scheduled for August 4, 2026, including John James for the Republican primary for Michigan Governor and Jocelyn Benson for the Democratic primary for Michigan Governor. The Board also endorsed Mallory McMorrow in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Absentee ballots for the primary were mailed to Michigan voters on June 25, 2026. McMorrow suspended her U.S. Senate campaign on July 5, 2026, but her name will still appear on the August 4, 2026 primary ballot. Registered voters in some Michigan communities began casting ballots early in person on July 6, 2026. Statewide early in-person voting took place from July 25, 2026, to August 2, 2026. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

For U.S. House races, the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board endorsed Debbie Dingell in the Democratic primary for District 6, Bridget Brink in the Democratic primary for District 7, Kristen McDonald Rivet in the Democratic primary for District 8, Christina Hines in the Democratic primary for District 10, Jeremy Moss in the Democratic primary for District 11, and Rashida Tlaib in the Democratic primary for District 12. Leading Republican candidates in the U.S. House District 10 primary did not schedule interviews with the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board. In the Michigan Senate races, the Board endorsed Justin Onwenu (District 1), Abbas Alawieh (District 2), Korey Hall (District 3), Darrin Camilleri (District 4), Matt Koleszar (District 5), Mary Cavanagh (District 6), Jason Hoskins (District 7), Theresa Brooks (District 9), Natalie Price (District 10), Veronica Klinefelt (District 11), Kevin Hertel (District 12), and Douglas Wozniak (District 24) in their respective Democratic primaries.

For Michigan House districts, the Detroit Free Press Editorial Board endorsed Tyrone Carter (District 1), Joanna Whaley (District 2), Alabas Farhat (District 3), Krystal LaRosa (District 4), Crystal Bailey (District 5), Melanie Macey (District 6), Tonya Myers Phillips (District 7), Helena Scott (District 8), Rick Silva (District 9), Veronica Paiz (District 10), Kimberly Fisher (District 11), Mai Xiong (District 13), Mike McFall (District 14), Leslie Herrick (District 15), Stephanie A. Young (District 16), Laurie Pohutsky (District 17), Samantha Steckloff (District 19), and Noah Arbit (District 20) in their Democratic primaries. Additionally, the Board endorsed Roman Gaskey in the Republican primary for Michigan House District 54 and Jean Zott in the Republican primary for Michigan House District 59. James announced his candidacy for Michigan governor on April 7, 2025. Benson addressed a crowd at the Michigan Democratic Party State Convention on February 22, 2025.