LANSING, Mich. — On Wednesday, Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, announced her candidacy for governor in 2026, stepping up during a critical time for the party following significant electoral losses in the battleground state the previous November.
Benson has made a name for herself as the state’s chief elections administrator during the 2020 and 2024 elections and is the first notable Democrat to throw her hat in the ring for the upcoming gubernatorial election. To attract voters who appeared disenchanted with the Democratic Party and opted for Trump in the latest elections, she aims to address economic concerns and the practicalities of saving both time and money.
With current Governor Gretchen Whitmer being term-limited and opting not to endorse a successor, Benson’s candidacy is particularly significant. Whitmer’s electoral successes in 2018 and 2022 parallel Benson’s own achievements, establishing a strong foundation for her campaign.
Benson gained national attention for her staunch defense of the electoral process in 2020 amid unfounded accusations of fraud from Trump and his supporters following Biden’s victory in the state. In a campaign video, she reflected on the backlash faced from her critics, hinting at protests against her that erupted in late 2020 due to the unfounded claims of election misconduct.
Benson’s own reelection in 2022 coincided with a major Democratic upswing in Michigan, resulting in both legislative chambers, the governorship, and the attorney general’s position all being held by Democrats. Furthermore, the election brought an increased number of women into key state leadership roles, with three out of the four top executive offices in the state currently occupied by women, including herself.
Benson expressed her commitment to amplifying the voices of women and those traditionally marginalized in decision-making processes. Her campaign features an all-female leadership team, reinforcing her focus on inclusivity.
However, the Democratic momentum was interrupted in the 2024 election cycle when Trump regained the state, and Republicans restored their majority in the state House of Representatives.
As Secretary of State, Benson emphasized public education regarding Michigan’s voting procedures, worked on voter accessibility enhancements, and brought to fruition a voter-approved constitutional amendment facilitating early voting. Prior to her statewide election, she held the role of an election law attorney and served as the leader of Wayne State University Law School.
Her campaign platform is centered around her achievements as Secretary of State, with a particular focus on improving educational outcomes and reducing the cost of living to ensure residents remain in Michigan. Additionally, she promised to challenge “powerful interests,” including Trump and Elon Musk, who has been a source of tension due to previously spreading election misinformation. Musk has financially supported pro-Trump initiatives, further complicating the political landscape.
Benson stands as the inaugural high-profile Democrat to officially declare her intention for the governorship. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan recently announced his candidacy as an independent, which has injected uncertainty into the race. Benson criticized Duggan’s departure from the party, asserting the need for unity to tackle the struggles facing everyday Americans, rather than a retreat from challenges.
Duggan’s independente status allows him to bypass a potentially challenging primary among Democrats exploring similar ambitions. On the Democratic front, former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who relocated to Traverse City, Michigan, after his 2020 presidential bid, has received entreaties to consider entering the race. Additionally, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, who became prominent following his protests in 2020 after George Floyd’s death, are also mulling over a campaign.
On the Republican side, the top state Senate Republican, Aric Nesbitt, has thrown his hat in the ring as well, pledging support for Trump while critiquing legislative stagnation in Lansing. Following a wave of progressive legislation enabled by a Democratic government since 2022, there has been a noticeable reduction in session days and a slowdown in legislative progress observed in 2024.
