FLINT, Mich. — Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson has announced his bid for governor pledging to protect Michiganders’ constitutional, civil, and bargaining rights.
“I tried to keep it a secret for five years,” Swanson joked during his announcement on Feb. 6, 2025, at Mott Community College in Flint, Mich.
Swanson emphasized that his goal is to protect, serve and unify.
“People in today’s world, not only in Michigan, but across the country, have lost faith in government. They’ve lost faith in the system. Many times they’re disappointed. I promise you this, the one thing that I add, that has been missing, is unity,” Swanson said.
“I personally am exhausted with hate speech and division. This campaign will not be an attack campaign,” he added.
Swanson said he plans to invest in technology, create manufacturing jobs and build new homes.
The Democratic nominee hopeful told supporters he would create the first state sheriff network, meaning there will be an ambassador from the governor’s office assigned to all Michigan sheriffs.
“The State of Michigan in Lansing will be rebranded as the Help Center of Lansing to create a customer service mindset. And guess who the customer is? You. If that Sheriff can’t solve it, [they] could be able to pick up a phone and talk to somebody who can. Between the sheriff and the governor, we got your back,” he said.
Swanson highlighted his career achievements, including I.G.N.I.T.E., an educational program for inmates that he says reduces crime by 23%. He also cited his 2018 G.H.O.S.T. — short for Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team — a team created to rescue victims of human trafficking and hold perpetrators accountable.
Originally elected sheriff in 2020, Swanson’s announcement comes on the heels of his November 2024 reelection victory.
According to the Genesee County Sheriff’s website, he has built a more-than-three-decade career as a police officer, serving in various capacities, including corrections, patrol, narcotics, criminal and death investigations, human trafficking investigations, and common operations.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is currently serving her second term after being re-elected in 2022. Due to term limits, she is ineligible to seek a third term.