Nov. 3, 2026, will be defined historically in Michigan by the people who took their soles to the polls. The future of our neighborhoods, our schools, our cultural touchstones, and our democracy will be chosen at the ballot box.
With early voting underway and Election Day just around the corner, the Michigan Chronicle Editorial Board has laid out a clear roadmap for the races and proposals that matter most to our community.
Here are the candidates who have earned our endorsements in some of the most pivotal races this year.
Leading the State Forward: Benson & Gilchrist
At the executive level, Michigan needs battle-tested leaders who know how to make government work for working-class families and protect our civil rights.
For Governor of Michigan, the choice is clear: Jocelyn Benson. As Secretary of State, Benson transformed a notoriously sluggish bureaucracy into a customer-first agency and has consistently stood up for democratic access. While her opponent champions policies that lean on trickle-down economics and siphons public school funds, Benson brings a concrete blueprint for Black prosperity – tackling the Black maternal health crisis, closing wealth gaps, and expanding economic opportunity.
To keep our elections secure and our administration innovative, we must elect Garlin Gilchrist as Secretary of State. Bringing an engineer’s eye for systematic problem-solving and a historic legacy as Michigan’s first Black lieutenant governor, Gilchrist is uniquely equipped to modernize state services and rebuild public trust, carrying forward the visionary tradition of pioneers like Richard H. Austin.
Protecting Our Highest Court
The scales of justice touch every corner of our daily lives, making the nonpartisan Supreme Court race vital. We urge voters to re-elect Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh and Justice Noah Hood. Both jurists have proven themselves as principled, fair-minded defenders of the rule of law, ensuring that our highest court remains a safeguard for equality and fundamental rights rather than a tool for partisan regression.
Shaping the Future: Detroit Public Schools
Education is the cornerstone of Black liberation and economic mobility. With 33 candidates vying for the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) Board of Education, clarity is everything. To protect the future of Detroit’s youth, address the literacy crisis, and demand rigorous institutional accountability, the Michigan Chronicle endorses:
- Ms. Bessie Harris (Incumbent) for her irreplaceable career-long classroom and administrative wisdom.
- Dr. Jameel Smith for his multi-dimensional perspective as an educator, psychologist, and parent.
- Terry Whitfield for his 20-year commitment to youth advocacy, attendance strategies, and resource auditing.
- Dr. Theodore Jones for her deep experience across policy, social work, and district administration.
- Aliya Moore for the two-year partial term, bringing 13 years of fierce grassroots parent advocacy.
Defending Culture: Save The Wright Museum
Our history is under constant threat of erasure, and it is up to us to protect it. On Nov. 3, voters in Wayne and Oakland counties face a monumental civic test: the Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Proposal. A modest 0.2-mill assessment –roughly 20 cents per $1,000 of taxable value, or about $30 a year on a $300,000 home – is all it takes to safeguard the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, alongside the Detroit Historical and Dossin Great Lakes museums. This 10-year millage guarantees free general admission for county residents, protects priceless archives, and ensures future generations see themselves in world-class spaces. Vote YES on Nov. 3 to save The Wright.
Proven Leadership in Highland Park
In Highland Park, municipal experience is non-negotiable. Facing historic infrastructure hurdles, population shifts, and economic recovery, the city cannot afford on-the-job training. Mayor Glenda McDonald has delivered monumental results during her first term –eliminating a staggering $58 million in debt, securing $100 million for critical water infrastructure upgrades, demolishing dozens of blighted properties, and cutting homicides by 70%. To keep this hard-earned momentum rolling, Highland Park should re-elect Mayor Glenda McDonald.
Don’t Sit This One Out
Your ballot is your voice, your armor, and your power. From the top of the ticket to local school boards and cultural preservation, the choices we make on Nov. 3 will shape generations to come. Do not let someone else write the story of your community.
Make a plan, check your registration, bring a friend, and vote.