Christopher Robert Swanson is from Grand Blanc, Michigan. He has a bachelor 27s degree and a master 27s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan.

LinkedIn

Christopher Robert Swanson is originally from Grand Blanc, Michigan. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice from Mott Community College, a bachelor's degree in public administration from the University of Michigan, and a master of public administration in criminal justice from the University of Michigan. He lives with his family in Fenton, Michigan.

Christopher serves as Undersheriff of the Genesee County Sheriff's Office and as Sheriff of Genesee Count. He also founded Swanson Leadership, a life coaching and national speaking practice. He previously served as Detective Lieutenant and Detective Sergeant at the Genesee County Sheriff's Office.


Chris Swanson, Flint-based sheriff and primetime DNC speaker, launches bid for governor of Michigan

Chris Swanson, prominent sheriff and Democrat, announces run for Michigan governor

Christopher currently serves as Sheriff of Genesee County, Michigan. He was first elected in 2020 and is serving his second term.


2026 Michigan General Election

2026 Michigan Primary Election

Democrat

Nonpartisan

Republican

For Candidate Christopher Robert Swanson on Issue economy:  
Supports auditing and restructuring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to benefit all citizens, not just political insiders.

Supports auditing and restructuring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to benefit all citizens, not just political insiders.

Advocates for reducing FOIA exemptions for government officials and increasing transparency regarding tax dollars.

Supports creating a "cooling off" period for elected officials before they can become lobbyists.

Supports growing the economy by bringing good-paying, union jobs to Michigan and protecting prevailing wage and worker safety.

Promotes growing the economy by bringing good-paying, union jobs to Michigan and protecting prevailing wage and worker safety.

Supports entrepreneurship through an Office of Innovation to assist startups and small business owners, aiming to make Michigan the best state for starting and owning a business.

Supports entrepreneurship through an Office of Innovation to assist startups and small business owners.

- Supports auditing and restructuring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to benefit all citizens, not just political insiders.
- Advocates for reducing FOIA exemptions for government officials and increasing transparency regarding tax dollars.
- Supports creating a "cooling off" period for elected officials before they can become lobbyists.
- Promotes growing the economy by bringing good-paying, union jobs to Michigan and protecting prevailing wage and worker safety.
- Supports entrepreneurship through an Office of Innovation to assist startups and small business owners.

Economy

Supports expanding the I.G.N.I.T.E. program to jails statewide to reduce violence, recidivism, and improve community relations with law enforcement.

Wants to expand the I.G.N.I.T.E. program to jails statewide to reduce violence, recidivism, and improve community relations with law enforcement.

Supports creating the Governor’s Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) to combat human trafficking and predator attacks, modeled after the successful Genesee County initiative.

Supports creating the Governor’s Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) to combat human trafficking and predator attacks.

Supports enforcing Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

- Wants to expand the I.G.N.I.T.E. program to jails statewide to reduce violence, recidivism, and improve community relations with law enforcement.
- Supports creating the Governor’s Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) to combat human trafficking and predator attacks.
- Supports enforcing Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

Public Safety

As of May 1, 2026, Christopher Robert Swanson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

Supports Career and Technical Education and trades programs in middle and high schools to help students graduate with skilled labor for the workforce.

Wants to increase literacy ratings by 10 points within 18 months through Reading, Financial, and Digital Literacy using the EBLI model and incentivizing home reading.

Wants to increase literacy ratings by 10 points within 18 months through reading, financial, and digital literacy using the EBLI model and incentivizing home reading.

Supports funding for school infrastructure upgrades to enhance safety, including bulletproof glass, metal detectors, and secure entry points.

Wants to expand GED and high school completion programs to provide adults and returning citizens with opportunities to complete their education, reduce re-incarceration, and strengthen communities across Michigan.

Supports continuing free breakfast and lunch programs for all public school students in Michigan to ensure every student has access to nutritious meals.

Supports continuing free breakfast and lunch programs for all public school students in Michigan.

Supports prioritizing early education and literacy by expanding access to preschool, supporting Universal Young 5s programs, focusing on essential elementary standards, and ensuring every child receives the early support needed for success in school and beyond.

Supports prioritizing early education and literacy by expanding access to preschool, supporting Universal Young 5s programs, and. focusing on essential elementary standards.

Supports attracting and retaining high-quality educators and investing in their support to prepare students for a technology-driven future.

Wants to attract and retain high-quality educators by investing in their support to prepare students for a technology-driven future.

Supports protecting K-12 education funding for its intended purpose, establishing a bipartisan task force to review the school funding model, and ensuring it reflects student needs and district costs.

Supports protecting K-12 education funding for its intended purpose and establishing a bipartisan task force to review the school funding model.

- Supports Career and Technical Education and trades programs in middle and high schools to help students graduate with skilled labor for the workforce.
- Wants to increase literacy ratings by 10 points within 18 months through reading, financial, and digital literacy using the EBLI model and incentivizing home reading.
- Supports funding for school infrastructure upgrades to enhance safety, including bulletproof glass, metal detectors, and secure entry points.
- Wants to expand GED and high school completion programs to provide adults and returning citizens with opportunities to complete their education, reduce re-incarceration, and strengthen communities across Michigan.
- Supports continuing free breakfast and lunch programs for all public school students in Michigan.
- Supports prioritizing early education and literacy by expanding access to preschool, supporting Universal Young 5s programs, and. focusing on essential elementary standards.
- Wants to attract and retain high-quality educators by investing in their support to prepare students for a technology-driven future.
- Supports protecting K-12 education funding for its intended purpose and establishing a bipartisan task force to review the school funding model.

Education

Energy & the Environment

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Voting & Elections

Facebook

Twitter

Christopher Robert Swanson

Supports reducing FOIA exemptions for government officials and increasing transparency regarding taxpayer dollars.

Supports reducing FOIA exemptions for government officials.

Linkedin

Wants to audit and restructure the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to ensure it benefits a broader range of people, not just "political insiders."

Supports reducing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) exemptions for government officials and increasing transparency.

Believes in fostering a "Customer Service Mindset" at the state level to retain residents and ensure their success through government.

Said, "No one should need to work more than 40 hours a week to make ends meet. We need to grow the economy and bring good paying, union jobs to the state. We will protect prevailing wage and worker safety."

Supports creating an Office of Innovation to help startups and small businesses.

Wants to reduce energy costs by increasing production and ensuring rate hikes by DTE and Consumers are justified by better service.

Supports expanding the I.G.N.I.T.E. jailhouse education program statewide, citing benefits like reduced violence, a 26% drop in reoffending, and better relations with law enforcement.

Supports creating the Governor’s Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) to combat human trafficking and child predation.

Supports gun control and "enforcing Extreme Risk Protection Orders, which [he] testified in favor of in Lansing."

Supports enhancing school security measures like bulletproof glass and metal detectors.

Supports expanding GED and high school completion programs to provide adults and returning citizens with a second chance at education, reduce re-incarceration, strengthen communities, and save taxpayer dollars.

Advocates for protecting K-12 school funding and ensuring it is used solely for its intended purpose.

Opposes using public school funds for private schools.

Supports expanding access to preschool and universal programs for young children.

Supports free breakfast and lunch programs for all public school students.

For Candidate Christopher Robert Swanson on Issue economy:  
Supports auditing and restructuring the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to ensure it serves everyone, not just political insiders.

Advocates for creating a customer service mindset at the state level to retain residents and facilitate their success through government.

Supports bringing down energy costs by increasing production and ensuring utility rate increases are justified by improved service.

Supports creating the Governor’s Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST) to combat human trafficking and predator attacks, based on a successful model from Genesee County.

Wants to increase literacy ratings by 10 points within 18 months through Reading, Financial, and Digital Literacy initiatives using the EBLI model and incentivizing home reading.

Supports protecting K-12 education funding, ensuring it is used for its intended purpose, and establishing a bipartisan task force to review and improve the school funding model in Michigan.

Opposes private school vouchers, stating that any legislation diverting funds from public schools will be vetoed.

Supports prioritizing early education and literacy by expanding access to preschool, offering Universal Young 5s programs, focusing on essential elementary standards, and ensuring every child receives the early support needed for success in school and beyond.

Pavel Tantchev

Graham Shirley

Jocelyn Benson

Kim Thomas

- The governor is the highest-ranking executive official in Michigan and serves as the head of the executive branch of state government.
- The governor enforces state laws, oversees executive agencies, and supervises all principal departments of the state government.
- The governor has the power to sign or veto legislation, including a line-item veto to reject specific parts of spending bills.
- The governor is elected statewide to serve a four-year term and is limited to two terms in a lifetime. Candidates must be at least 30 years old and a registered voter in Michigan for at least four years before the election.
- The governor receives a salary of approximately $159,300 per year.

The state’s chief executive who leads government and enforces state laws.