Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson wants Michiganders to understand he’s sweating the race for governor, but he’ll do whatever it takes to get their vote.
In a recent campaign video posted to Facebook, the very sweaty sheriff explained why he woke up absurdly early to offer himself backhanded compliments, and the message he’s hoping folks will take away from his profound perspiration.
“It’s 3:30 in the morning on March 20th, 130 degrees, just finishing up 90 minutes on the bike,” Swanson said as he hunched over the camera, sweat raining down. “Because of my schedule, yesterday and today, I had to get it in,” he began.
“I got asked a profound question yesterday,” he continued. “Somebody asked me, ‘Because you’re so optimistic, so positive, so energetic, what about people who wonder if they can take you serious?’” he continued. “And I said the same thing to them as I’ve said all my life, this is how I’ve been. No matter where I am, this is Chris,” he explained.
“But the motive behind the question I know was not ill intent, it just kind of shook me to think, man, that means that people are used to negativity, and having a downcast spirit, looking at things as how they’re going to fall apart,” Swanson said. “I don’t,” he responded.
“Don’t forget, I’ve done 32 years on the job in Flint, Genesee County, with so much death and violence and brokenness,” Swanson said. “I choose to be optimistic. I choose to be positive. And that’s what I want to encourage you today to do.”
Swanson’s relentless sweat and positivity comes as the Democrat trails all competitors in the 2026 race to replace a term limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
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In the most recent gubernatorial poll, Swanson garnered a mere 11% support among likely Democratic primary voters, well behind Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson at 46%, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist at 13%.
The 11%, however, is a significant improvement over a previous poll in October, when just 2% of likely Democratic voters identified the sheriff as their candidate of choice.
The rising name recognition is due in part to a taxpayer-funded statewide billboard campaign that uses Swanson’s face to promote his Genesee County Human Oppression Strike Team (GHOST).
About a year before Swanson officially announced his campaign, his face popped up on 62 Michigan billboards overlooking major thoroughfares, a $13,000 expense the sheriff renewed for 2025, bringing the total campaign contribution from taxpayers to $26,000 over two years, according to contracts obtained by The Midwesterner through a Freedom of Information Act request.
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Swanson told WNEM last year the campaign is intended to raise “awareness,” justifying the statewide expense as a small price to pay to protect “our most important people.”
“If the people of this county travel all over the state, we should have people all over the state looking out for our most important people. And that’s why I’m so happy that it is statewide, it’s something that not one person owns,” Swanson said in one of many media interviews about the program. “GHOST will always be there, and so will I.”
The billboards are one of several examples of Swanson leveraging his position as sheriff to elevate his political aspirations.
Last year, Swanson appeared in uniform at the Democratic National Convention to back then-Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential bid, and in a campaign video for President Joe Biden that attempted to cast President Donald Trump as anti-police.
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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 47th POTUS.
Another video posted to Swanson’s Facebook page on July 10 featured the sheriff in a suit with his name and department insignia prominently displayed as he endorsed Domonique Clemons for Genesee County clerk.
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 concerns 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.
The Michigan Campaign Finance Act states a “public body or person acting for a public body shall not use or authorize the use of funds, personnel, office space, computer hardware or software, property, stationery, postage, vehicles, equipment, supplies, other public resources” to support a political campaign.
Knowingly violating the Act is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and fine of $1,000, although the fine can increase to as much as $20,000 or the amount of the improper contribution or expenditure if the violator is not an individual, according to Michigan Advance.