Incumbent Republican Aaron T. Bliss defeated Democratic candidate Lorenzo T. Durand with 52.52% of the vote.

[1][2] Initially, during the 1902 Michigan Democratic Convention on July 31 in Detroit, George H. Durand was nominated for the gubernatorial election.

[5] Though he initially planned to continue his gubernatorial run, by September 25, Durand's health forced him to withdraw his candidacy.

Lorenzo T. Durand, the brother of George and fellow advocate of the gold standard, was selected with 14 votes on the second formal ballot.

[13] On July 5, the Socialist Labor state convention in Detroit nominated Shepard B. Cowles of New Lothrop for governor.