Donna
Brandenburg
Michigan entrepreneur Donna Brandenburg seeks governor's office as the 2026 U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan candidate
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 8
Background
Donna Brandenburg is a Michigan business owner and entrepreneur running for governor in 2026 on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan ticket. Her campaign describes her as a CEO and owner of companies spanning energy, rail, real estate, social work, technology, farming, and agricultural drainage, including Buckeye, Brown Brother, and Spike Brother Trenchers. (10, 12)
Brandenburg graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.S. in 1985, where she studied business, marketing, and finance, and later pursued coursework in computer programming, industrial robotics, and engineering. Her campaign says she has spent decades building companies, creating jobs, and is also involved in animal rescue. (1, 10)
She previously ran for Michigan governor in 2022 but has not held elected office. The 2026 race is an open seat, as incumbent Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. (1, 5, 21)
Brandenburg secured the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan nomination for governor following a party convention in July 2026 that was reported to have strong turnout. She is one of several candidates on the November 2026 general election ballot alongside major-party nominees. (3, 9, 11, 17)
At a glance
- Party
- U.S. Taxpayers
- Running for
- Governor, Michigan
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Business owner and entrepreneur (CEO/owner of multiple companies)
- Website
- brandenburgforgovernor.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsBrandenburg listed on Michigan's official Nov. 3, 2026 general election ballot
Voter guide coverage confirmed Brandenburg and Cowper are listed on Michigan's official candidate list for the November 3 general election governor's race.
Voting Guide: What Michigan voters need to know ahead of ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsBirmingham-Bloomfield Bulletin profiles Brandenburg's Taxpayers Party platform
A local report outlined Brandenburg's campaign proposals, including eliminating property taxes and the state income tax, reducing spending, strengthening election oversight, and creating a Department of Government Efficiency.
Brandenburg seeks governor seat on Taxpayers ticket · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6debateBrandenburg excluded from Benson-James televised debate in Grand Rapids
Jocelyn Benson and John James debated in Grand Rapids. CBS Detroit identified Brandenburg among other candidates in the race but reported the televised debate involved only Benson and James, leaving Brandenburg off the stage.
Jocelyn Benson, John James, square off in Michigan gubernatorial debate · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsMLive candidate comparison attributes policy positions to Brandenburg on education, energy, economy
MLive's October 1 candidate comparison piece attributed positions on audits, local business, education, energy, and immigration to Brandenburg as part of a broader look at Michigan governor candidates.
What do Michigan governor candidates say about education, energy and the economy? · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1pollBrandenburg receives 2% in Mitchell Research statewide Michigan governor poll
A Mitchell Research & Communications poll of 682 likely voters (fieldwork Oct. 1, reported Oct. 6) showed Brandenburg at 2%, compared to Benson at 46% and James at 39%, with a ±3.8 point margin of error.
Jocelyn Benson leads John James in Michigan gubernatorial poll · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 18filingBrandenburg nominated as U.S. Taxpayers Party governor candidate at party convention
Donna Brandenburg advanced as the U.S. Taxpayers Party's gubernatorial nominee at the party convention, running with lieutenant governor pick Robert Donald Cowper II.
smarter.vote · mi-governor-2026 · donna-brandenburgDonna Brandenburg - smarter.vote · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Scott Zimmerman otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page as '@ScottZPatriot on X.' No date given. ustpm.org
- Eric Tilton otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page as '@CognitiveCarbon on X.' No date given. ustpm.org
- DC Lidstone otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page as '@dclidstone on X.' No date given. ustpm.org
- Juan O Savin otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page. No date given. ustpm.org
- Ellen P Lincoln otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page. No date given. ustpm.org
- Kaity Passe otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page with 'Defender of the Republic' in parentheses. No date given. ustpm.org
- Peter Ticktin otherListed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page. No date given. ustpm.org
- Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn otherBrandenburg News Network lists a video titled 'Flynn endorses Donna for Governor 2026,' published July 2, 2026. Also listed on the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan endorsements page. ustpm.org · Jul 2, 2026
Sources 10
- [1] Voting Guide: What Michigan voters need to know ahead of ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Michigan Governor - Voter Guide - VOTE411.org(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [3] Brandenburg seeks governor seat on Taxpayers ticket(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [4] Jocelyn Benson leads John James in Michigan gubernatorial poll(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Jocelyn Benson, John James, square off in Michigan gubernatorial debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [6] smarter.vote · mi-governor-2026 · donna-brandenburgDonna Brandenburg - smarter.vote(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] What do Michigan governor candidates say about education, energy and the economy?(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [8] Donna Brandenburg - Candidate Profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Endorsements - Donna Brandenburg for Michigan Governor(opens in a new tab) Aug 30, 2026
- [10] Donna Brandenburg — official campaign website(opens in a new tab)