Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt became the first major party candidate to announce a run for governor on Tuesday.

“It’s time to start putting the people of Michigan first,” Nesbitt posted to X, along with a video. “That’s why I’m running for Governor. Let’s get to work!”

It’s time to start putting the people of Michigan first. That’s why I’m running for Governor. Let’s get to work! pic.twitter.com/aZs5S7THhP

— Aric Nesbitt (@aricnesbitt) January 14, 2025

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The accompanying video walks viewers through the Porter Township Republican’s history in Michigan, where his family has spent six generations farming near Lawton.

“When you’ve been farming here for six generations, you want to be able to hand that over to the seventh generation,” he said. “Michiganders deserve so much better than they’re getting from these Democrats up in Lansing.”

The 44-year-old father of two told The Detroit News he intends to change the dynamic in Michigan under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer from a focus on dependency and big government solutions to families and taxpayers.

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“I trust families over government,” Nesbitt says. “I want to go ahead and empower the taxpayers instead of the tax-takers here in the state — and that’s part of this Michigan First agenda where you have to expect so much more out of Lansing and expect that there’s actually value for money.”

Nesbitt has spent 25 years in Lansing, where he was first elected to the House in 2010 and served three terms. He was then elected to the state Senate, where he served as both the president pro tempore and minority leader since 2019. He was an appointee of Gov. Rick Snyder.

“He’s a really solid candidate,” John Truscott, CEO of TruscottRossman, told The News. “He’s from the loyal opposition. He will be getting a lot of attention, especially with the House being Republican now. There is newfound power in that, in working with the speaker.”

Truscott has served as a public relations agent for Gotion, Inc., a company linked to the Chinese Communist Party that’s working to overcome strong public opposition to an electric vehicle battery component plant in Mecosta County. President-elect Donald Trump said last year he’s “100% OPPOSED” to the Gotion plant.

Nesbitt told WOOD he wants to ban sanctuary city policies, improve the state’s failing education outcomes, and modernize Michigan roads, bridges and water infrastructure.

Taxpayers, he said, are “not getting the value they deserve.

“At the end of the day, it’s about who’s going to be able to get things done,” Nesbitt said. “To provide the vision for the state and making sure we’re putting workers and families and students first.”

Nesbitt joins Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan as the only two candidates to declare their intent to replace a term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2026. Duggan announced in December he’s ditching the Democratic Party to run as an Independent, despite his declared support for Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Nesbitt told WOOD he’s a Trump supporter and plans to seek his endorsement.

And while Nesbitt was a staple at Trump’s rallies in the lead up to his 2024 election victory, he did not support the president-elect during the primary, opting instead to back Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“America is at a turning point and the time for real leadership is now,” Nesbitt said in a statement endorsing DeSantis in April 2023. “The person best-equipped to step up and fearlessly fight for our American values is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. That is why I, without reservation, endorse Governor DeSantis for President of the United States.

“Governor DeSantis is the new generation of Republican leadership – unapologetic in taking on the tough fights and, most importantly, winning them. It’s the leadership America needs.”

Ron DeSantis secures some Michigan endorsements for president, according to supporting super PAC: State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, Sens. Lana Theis, Michael Webber, Kevin Daley, Dan Lauwers and Joe Bellino, state Rep. Bryan Posthumus, former House Speaker Tom Leonard. pic.twitter.com/4XfOh2vdgA

— Jonathan Oosting (@jonathanoosting) April 6, 2023

The comments were viewed by many political observers as a jab at Trump in the wake of 2022 midterm losses for Republicans.

Nesbitt was one of only seven state lawmakers at the time to endorse DeSantis, whom he described to Bridge Michigan as a “great nominee.”

“We need a leader who is unafraid, strong in conviction, and will never back down,” Nesbitt said in a statement.

As Senate minority leader, Nesbitt is tasked with recruiting candidates and raising funds to win back a Republican Senate majority in 2026, and it’s unclear how his campaign for governor may impact that work.

There’s also an impending special election for the 35^th Senate district, left vacant by state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, who won her November election to Congress. The swing seat is expected to be hotly contested when Whitmer calls a special election, which could shift the dynamic of power in Lansing.

A Republican win would split the Senate 19-19, with Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II as the tie-breaking vote.