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Michigan Republican convention delegates gathered in a convention hall with district signs visible
Upcoming convention Saturday, August 22 | Mount Pleasant

2026 Michigan Republican Nominating Convention

Delegates will meet in Mount Pleasant to complete the Republican statewide ticket, consider the lieutenant-governor nomination, and formally nominate candidates for constitutional, judicial and education-board offices.

Register through MIGOP See the expected ticket Open official documents
Date
Call to order
VenueSoaring Eagle Casino & Resort
Registration$25 per person

Convention desk

The latest convention status

EventUpcoming | August 22
Lieutenant governorJames selected Jay DeBoyer
Convention actionFormal approval pending
Filing reportAwaiting confirmation
CredentialsFinal total pending
Rules CommitteeMeeting August 20
LivestreamNot announced

Independent guide by Michigan Republican Primary. Status reviewed August 14, 2026; this desk is structured for live convention-day updates.

The direct answer

What the convention will complete

The August convention is the statutory step that completes the Republican statewide ticket after the gubernatorial primary. Delegates are scheduled to consider 13 nomination positions across eight office groups.

Republican primary voters selected John James as the party's candidate for governor. The convention does not renominate governor; it considers lieutenant governor and the offices Michigan election law assigns to the fall party convention.

The legal framework is explicit: Article V, Section 21 of the Michigan Constitution and MCL 168.72 cover the statewide executive nominations; MCL 168.282 and MCL 168.282a cover the university and State Board of Education nominations; and MCL 168.392 covers Michigan Supreme Court nominations.

The March 28 endorsement convention established the party's endorsed slate for attorney general, secretary of state, Supreme Court and the statewide education boards. The August 22 convention is the formal nomination stage. Until delegates act, the candidates below are described as endorsed, with nomination pending. Read why endorsement and nomination are separate steps.

MIGOP's official convention page controls registration and attendee instructions. Michigan Republican Primary is providing independent reporting, explanation and event coverage.

March 28: endorsement

Delegates selected the party's preferred slate early, giving those candidates time to campaign before the statutory nominating convention.

August 22: nomination

Delegates formally nominate candidates for placement on the November general-election ballot and consider the governor nominee's lieutenant-governor selection.

The top of the Republican ticket

From primary victory to a completed statewide ticket

John James enters the convention as the Republican nominee for governor with state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as his announced choice for lieutenant governor. Delegates are expected to complete the ticket through the convention's formal approval process.

John James backstage at his 2026 Republican primary victory event

Primary night | August 4

A nominee emerges.Republican primary voters chose John James for governor. The convention's role is to complete the statewide ticket.

John James speaking onstage at his 2026 Republican primary victory party

Republican nominee for governor

John James

Winner of the August 4 Republican gubernatorial primary.

State Rep. Jay DeBoyer wearing a dark suit and tie

Selected for lieutenant governor

Jay DeBoyer

James's announced choice, subject to convention approval August 22.

The expected ticket.John James for governor. Jay DeBoyer for lieutenant governor. The convention vote is the remaining formal step.

  1. John James won the August 4 Republican primary for governor.
  2. James selected state Rep. Jay DeBoyer for lieutenant governor.
  3. Convention delegates are expected to complete the ticket through formal approval.

Expected ticket: John James for governor and Jay DeBoyer for lieutenant governor. The convention vote is the remaining formal step.

Governor primary

Republican voters select John James.

Selection filing

The rules establish a 5:00 p.m. filing point for the initial lieutenant-governor selection.

Delegate vote

An affirmative majority is required for nomination.

General election

The completed Republican ticket advances to voters statewide.

March endorsement record

The endorsed slate entering August 22

These candidates were endorsed in Novi on March 28. Their full profiles remain on the site's endorsement-convention record; this ledger tracks their status at the nominating convention.

Pre-convention status shown below: endorsed March 28; formal nomination pending.

Read all endorsed-candidate profiles

Biographies, campaign links and the March 28 convention record remain on the dedicated candidate page.

Convention rules, in plain language

How the lieutenant-governor vote works

The endorsement-convention rules give the Republican nominee for governor the first opportunity to choose a running mate. Delegates then take the formal vote required to approve that selection.

  1. The governor nominee files a selection

    The initial selection is filed with the required affidavit and party fee. The rules set a 5:00 p.m. August 14 filing point; the final filing report remains pending.

  2. Delegates cast an affirmative vote

    The selection must receive an affirmative majority of the credentialed convention vote to become the lieutenant-governor nominee.

  3. A failed first vote returns the choice to James

    If the first selection does not receive a majority, James may resubmit the same person or present another eligible candidate for a second vote.

  4. A second failure can open the process

    If the second selection also fails, qualifying challengers who met the rules' 2,000 precinct-delegate signature requirement may enter the contest. A runoff is used if necessary.

Convention officials and delegates reviewing ballots at a district counting table
2,200Delegates apportioned through the rules' formula using statewide Republican vote measures from 2022 and 2024.
Plus at-largeEligible at-large delegates mean the total number credentialed at the convention may exceed 2,200.
No proxiesVoting is limited to credentialed delegates and properly elevated alternates who are present for the vote.

The final eight days

Key dates before the convention

Credentials, rules and issue-selection work continues almost to the opening gavel. Dates below reflect the current convention materials and should be checked against subsequent party notices.

Lieutenant-governor filing point

Initial selection and qualifying-challenger materials due under the current schedule.

Delegate lists

County and district delegate and alternate lists move into final credentials review.

Credentials challenges

Deadline identified for written challenges to delegate or alternate credentials.

Responses and credentials meeting

Challenge responses are due at noon; the Credentials Committee is scheduled to meet at 7:00 p.m.

Rules meeting

The Rules Committee considers the operating rules to be reported to delegates.

Credentials and convention

Credentialing opens at 7:30 a.m.; the official call is 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

Expected order of business

From the opening gavel to the final nominations

The order can change when delegates adopt the rules. No official adjournment time has been announced.

  1. Call to order
  2. Invocation
  3. Pledge of Allegiance
  4. National Anthem
  5. Reading of the call to convention
  6. Appointment of temporary chair
  7. Appointment of temporary officers
  8. Rules Committee report
  9. Oath of office
  10. Issues Committee business
  11. Nomination for lieutenant governor
  12. Nominations for the March-endorsed slate
  13. Announcements
  14. Adjournment

Attendee guide

Getting to the convention

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort Entertainment Hall 6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevard Mount Pleasant, Michigan 48858 Resort telephone: 1-888-732-4537
Get directions Venue map PDF

Arrive and park

Parking is available on the resort property. Allow additional time to park, enter the complex and reach the convention area.

Hotel reservations are separate from convention admission. Dining hours and availability may change. Before leaving, review current party communications and instructions from your county or district organization.

Analysis

What will matter beyond the names on the ticket

The convention is expected to ratify much of a slate already endorsed in March. The most revealing developments may come from the margins, rules and message of the day.

The DeBoyer vote

Approval, opposition and the size of the vote will provide the first convention-floor test of the James-DeBoyer ticket.

Credentials and rules

Late challenges, the number actually credentialed and any rules changes can shape who votes and how the day unfolds.

Issues and resolutions

Up to five issues may receive convention consideration, with debate limited under the current rules. New floor issues face a two-thirds threshold.

Party unity and campaign integration

The program, speeches and response to the completed ticket will show how quickly the party shifts from an internal process to the general election.

The March slate

Any attempt to depart from the endorsed candidates would be consequential because Rule 19 is designed to protect the earlier slate.

House District 63

DeBoyer's statewide nomination would create a separate ballot-replacement question for the Republican nomination in House District 63.

Primary sources

Official convention documents and resources

Use the party's current materials for registration and controlling convention instructions. This page explains those documents but does not replace them.

Official PDFUpdated call to convention Official PDFConvention rules Official PDFConvention venue map Official MIGOP pageCandidate biographies and videos

Document note: The current rules file retains drafting remnants, including a "DRAFT" document title and an incomplete deadline placeholder. For close procedural deadlines or any conflict among materials, the party's later written instruction, adopted rules and convention rulings control. Sources last reviewed August 14, 2026.

Media credits and context

Original convention photography and primary-night video by Stephen Schumacher / Michigan Republican Primary. John James victory photography is owned by Michigan Republican Primary. Jay DeBoyer portrait courtesy of the John James campaign. Convention images may depict earlier Michigan Republican conventions.

Questions and answers

2026 nominating convention FAQ

When and where is the 2026 Michigan Republican nominating convention?

The convention is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, 6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevard in Mount Pleasant. Credentialing is scheduled for 7:30-9:30 a.m., and the official call is 10:00 a.m. Eastern.

What offices will delegates nominate?

Delegates are scheduled to consider lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, two Michigan Supreme Court positions, two State Board of Education positions, two University of Michigan regents, two Michigan State University trustees and two Wayne State University governors.

Why is governor not nominated at this convention?

The Republican candidate for governor was selected by voters in the August 4 primary. The fall party convention completes the ticket by considering lieutenant governor and offices Michigan election law assigns to party conventions.

What is the difference between endorsement and nomination?

The March 28 convention selected the party's endorsed candidates. The August 22 convention is the statutory nominating convention that formally selects the party's candidates for the November ballot. An endorsement is not presented on this page as a completed nomination. Read the fuller procedural explanation.

Can guests attend and vote?

The party offers $25 guest registration. A guest registration does not provide voting rights. Voting is limited to credentialed delegates and properly elevated alternates who are present.

What should delegates and alternates bring?

Attendees should bring their registration receipt and government-issued photo identification. They should also review current instructions from their county or district organization and allow extra time for parking and credentialing.

Will the convention be livestreamed?

No official livestream information has been announced in the convention materials reviewed through August 14. If the party or another authorized source announces a stream, this page can add the verified link and viewing details.

Where can I register?

Use the official MIGOP convention page and choose the correct $25 delegate, alternate or guest registration type.

Coverage status

Pre-convention guide. Facts and status labels were reviewed August 14, 2026. Final filings, credentials decisions, adopted rules and convention outcomes will require additional updates as official information becomes available.

Editorial independence

Michigan Republican Primary is an independent publication and is not the Michigan Republican Party. Official registration and party instructions are available at mi.gop.