LANSING, Mich. — On Wednesday, Michigan’s Democratic Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, officially announced her intention to run for governor in the 2026 election. This move comes as the party seeks to regain its footing following substantial losses in the recent November elections within this critical battleground state.
Benson, who played a significant role as the state’s chief elections officer during the 2020 and 2024 elections, is making her entry as the first prominent Democrat contender in the race. She will need to connect with voters who may feel disenchanted with the Democratic party, particularly those who expressed their support for former President Donald Trump in the last election.
Current Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who has reached her term limit, has indicated that she will not endorse any candidate vying to take her place. Whitmer’s electoral successes in 2018 and 2022 are mirrored in Benson’s own victories during those same years.
Benson garnered national attention for her defense of the 2020 election results, which faced relentless scrutiny from Trump and his supporters after they lost the state to Joe Biden. In a campaign video released ahead of the announcement, she recounted the backlash she received from protests outside her home in December 2020 by individuals who mistakenly claimed voter fraud had occurred.
Her re-election in 2022 was part of an impressive Democratic wave that saw the party capture significant victories across Michigan, including control of both legislative chambers, the governorship, and the attorney general’s office. However, this momentum was halted in November when Trump regained the state’s support and Republicans won control of the state House.
As Secretary of State, Benson has concentrated on educating the public about Michigan’s voting processes, increasing voter access, and executing a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2022 that established an early voting period. Prior to her statewide office, she was an election law attorney and served as the dean of Wayne State University Law School.
Her campaign platform highlights the leadership accomplishments she has made as Secretary of State, alongside her objectives to enhance educational opportunities and reduce living costs in order to keep residents in Michigan. Moreover, she has committed to opposing “powerful interests,” including Trump and Elon Musk, with whom she has previously clashed regarding election misinformation. Musk previously supported a super PAC with a $200 million donation aimed at rallying support for Trump.
Benson’s announcement marks her as the first significant Democratic candidate to announce a governor campaign. Complicating the race, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who has long been affiliated with the Democratic party, announced his intention to run as an independent last month.
Benson criticized Duggan’s decision, saying it reflects a desertion of party principles instead of working collaboratively to rectify its issues. “For me, it’s important that in moments like this, we don’t flee from the party, but we stay and fix it,” she remarked in a televised interview recently.
Duggan’s independent bid allows him to bypass a competitive Democratic primary, opening the door for other potential candidates. Former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who relocated to Traverse City after his presidential run in 2020, has been receiving encouragement from Michigan Democrats to consider entering the race. Additionally, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Sheriff Chris Swanson from Genesee County, who gained prominence for his involvement in the protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020, are also mulling over a run for governor.
On the Republican front, Aric Nesbitt, the leading Republican in the state Senate, recently declared his candidacy for governor. He has voiced his support for Trump and criticized the lack of action in Lansing. Although Democrats passed several progressive measures after taking full control of the state government in 2022, they experienced fewer legislative session days and delays in progress during 2024.
