Amid a red wave fueled by public frustrations with woke policies, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson is positioning himself as the “very progressive” candidate for governor.

The day after announcing his Democratic campaign to replace a term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2026, Swanson joined 760 WJR to discuss why he’s ditching law enforcement for politics.

Swanson told the talk radio station after 32 years in law enforcement, he’s focused on bringing a positive message to his campaign, which will face stiff competition from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt over the coming months.

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“The reason I’m so serious about it is because for 32 years I’ve worked with death and violence and brokenness,” he said. “There’s no campaign that can do what I’ve seen over the last 32 years. I’m done with it.

“And when you see all that and you remain positive and optimistic, I know it can be done, because I’ve done it my whole career,” he said.

Swanson discussed how his decision to march with protestors amid George Floyd riots in Flint in 2020 shaped his focus on staying positive, and how he views his lane in the 2026 contest.

“I’m the unity candidate,” he said. “I’m a Democratic candidate and I have shown in two major elections in Genesee County the largest crossover appeal to independent Republican voters. And slay in the Democratic primary.

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“What does that tell you? It tells people like myself that yes we have a two party system, but people are willing to vote for the person more now than they ever were before,” he said.

When confronted with the Democratic axiom that “progressives win primaries,” Swanson made it clear: “I’m very progressive, absolutely.”

“There are people who are going to disagree with some of the things that I have done by educating inmates, or how I said something on a certain show, but if you just look at the overall message of protect, serve and unify, I would vote for that,” he said.

Swanson’s gubernatorial campaign launch follows his questionable efforts to promote Democrats in 2024, including an appearance in uniform at the Democratic National Convention to back then Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential bid and a campaign video for former President Joe Biden that attempted to cast President Donald Trump as anti-police.

In the latter, Swanson, in full uniform in what appeared to be his taxpayer-funded office, said he had “no desire to work with somebody who divides” – a shot at the 47^th POTUS.

Swanson also appeared with a police vehicle wearing a badge in a political advertisement for Kristen McDonald Rivet’s U.S. congressional campaign.

The appearances raised questions about potential violations of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act, which imposes a misdemeanor with fines and jail time for the use of public resources to support a political campaign.

Regardless, Swanson’s progressive campaign for governor is already drawing support from the party’s far left flank, including an endorsement from Washtenaw County’s new pansexual sheriff.

“Sheriff Swanson is one of the most hard working people I know and deeply cares about putting the people he serves above the politics. He has been there for me too many times to count, and I know he will keep that same energy when looking out for all of Michigan as governor,” said Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia Dyer. “His out of the box thinking, and experience as a public safety leader will offer a unique and fresh perspective for the state of Michigan. In a time of bridging divides, he’s someone that will bring people together, and that’s needed now more than ever.”

Dyer, who has vowed not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is in the midst of implementing a slew of progressive policies that include fewer road patrol vehicles, converting patrol vehicles to electric, new community policy teams to prioritize inclusivity and social justice, an unarmed community crisis response team, a “Corporate Accountability Crimes Unit,” an “Environmental Crimes Unit,” an end to “unnecessary traffic stops and ticket quotas,” and LGBTQ+ affirming policies.