Michigan’s gubernatorial race marks the end of an era. After two terms with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at the helm, Michigan voters will cast their ballots on Nov. 3 to decide whether Jocelyn Benson or John James will be the state’s next governor. Benson, a Democrat, is Michigan’s secretary of state. James, a Republican, represents Michigan's 10th District in the U.S. House.
Michigan’s governorship has alternated between the Democratic and Republican parties in recent decades, and the outcome of this year’s election will directly shape the state’s future. Michigan’s next governor will tackle major issues, including education, data centers and affordability.
The Detroit Free Press Editorial Board scrutinized Benson’s and James’ campaigns and records
to make an endorsement in the race. The process included separate interviews with each candidate, during which they each clarified their stances on important election issues and talked about their plans for the governor’s office.
Here are five reasons we endorsed Benson.
Benson delivers measurable results
Secretary of state offices haven't always screamed efficiency. But since Benson took over in 2019, interactions with the office have transformed. Most services, like renewing a driver’s license, can now be handled online, and for the few tasks that require an office visit, the online appointment system Benson launched now allows for in-and-out errands.
Benson also oversaw Michigan’s transition from in-person to mail-in and early voting after residents approved those changes in 2018. A process hastened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Benson adopted the practice so smoothly that 60% of Michiganders were casting ballots before Election Day by 2024. Benson, a quietly competent technocrat, makes systems work, and we’re eager to see that talent applied to the state government at large.
She’s ready to tackle Michigan’s education problem
One thing is clear: Benson comes equipped with an action plan. That’s especially important when it comes to education, arguably the most pressing issue our next governor must address. Once a middle-of-the-pack state, Michigan now sits near the bottom of national rankings. It’s a downward trend that only worsened as investment in our schools declined while policies intended to weaken our public schools were adopted.
Michigan’s next governor must get us back on track by setting the right educational priorities and making a budget that allocates appropriate funding per pupil. Benson brings a detailed five-point education plan modeled after the states at the top of our national rankings: Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi. The plan includes competitive teacher pay and an expansion of pre-K and childcare offerings along with programs like Rx Kids, which offers cash payments to new parents.
She has ideas to bring costs down
On another key issue, affordability, Benson seems equally prepared with ideas. She understands that the cost-of-living crisis is the number one concern residents take to the polls. In a lightning-round interview with Freep Opinion, when asked what Michiganders need the most, Benson immediately responded, “Lower costs.”
To provide relief, Benson proposes to strike deals with Canada to exempt Michigan industry and consumers from Trump’s tariffs. She plans to bolster down payment assistance, especially for workers like nurses and teachers, who often can’t afford homes in the communities they serve. She also wants to expand the childcare tax credit, add a $5,000 credit for Michiganders who are caring for aging parents, and close loopholes in the tax code that favor the wealthy – like a fuel-tax exemption for private aircraft.
She stands firm against the Trump administration
The tariff exemption above is just one example, but t almost goes without saying that Benson would stand firm against the current administration. As secretary of state, she has rebuffed President Donald Trump’s efforts to seek Michiganders’ confidential voter data and defended the integrity of our elections. Benson also says she will seek additional protections for immigrants.
James is a devotee of Trump, who has endorsed him. When asked this summer if he disagreed with the president on any points, James told the editorial board: “He likes Big Macs. I like Reubens.” His devotion to the president extends into the dangerous territory of election denial: James, who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 and lost to U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, has said both he and Trump got “screwed” in that election. He told the editorial board that “COVID was used as an excuse to circumvent the existing election law.”
Her opponent is out of step with most Michiganders
Benson is also pro-LGBTQ+ rights and pro-choice. With that, she aligns with the majority of residents in Michigan, who passed Proposal 3 in 2022 to enshrine abortion rights into Michigan’s constitution, a measure that passed with 56% of the vote. A statewide EPIC/MRA poll this summer also found 55% of respondents said that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Just 10% said that abortion should be against the law in all cases.
In that regard, James is deeply out of step with most Michiganders. He referred to abortion as "genocide," in 2018. said he opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest and in 2022 praised the overturn of Roe v. Wade. James has also recently called for the exclusion of transgender girls from female sports teams, even though data shows that transgender participation is extremely rare in Michigan high school sports.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 reasons the Free Press endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor I Opinion
