As they make cost-of-living a centerpiece of their campaigns, the candidates vying to serve as Michigan's next governor said, at separate appearances before the Detroit Economic Club Wednesday, Sept. 16, the state faces deep economic challenges and improving the business climate is central to their plans for a turnaround.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee, kicked off the forum by saying that the state needs a governor who can stand up to President Donald Trump and "his bad economic policies" in response to a question about tariffs. Benson has pointed to her tenure as Michigan's chief elections officer pushing back against Trump's elections interference efforts as evidence she can challenge him on other issues.
"Michigan is at a precipice," Benson said in her closing remarks. "The central pillars of our campaign are costs down, wages up and protecting our communities."
Republican gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, who has Trump's endorsement in the race, followed Benson, underscored the importance of Michigan's economic relationship with Canada amidst the trade war with the United States and said he has forthcoming legislation to provide relief from the toll of tariffs. James appeared remotely because he was in Washington, D.C. for final voting before the midterm election.
"Michigan's on fire," James said, repeating a favorite campaign line. Michigan is falling behind other states, he said, "and they all have the same president."
"I think that before becoming CEO of a state, you should have run a business before," said James, who previously served as the president of James Group International, his family's logistics and warehousing company, primarily serving the automotive industry in Michigan.
The political rivals answered questions on a range of issues, including the state's dismal education test scores, low wages and artificial intelligence from WDIV-TV anchor and reporter Jason Colthorp, who moderated the event.
The Detroit Economic Club routinely hosts candidates for Michigan governor, giving them a chance to address business leaders in the state.
During her campaign, Benson has outlined a goal of making Michigan the nation's premier state for small business and boosting the state's tourism economy. James has argued that Democratic leadership under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hasn't delivered the kind of economic transformation Michigan needs as he pitches more tax cuts to grow the economy.
James has proposed phasing out Michigan's income tax, arguing that no-income tax states attract more people and businesses. In his plan, experts see massive cuts to public services and a tax break that would benefit the wealthy. James' campaign has previously promised to release a new plan for how it would pay for its proposed income tax cut, but at the DEC event, James once again relied on outdated numbers to explain his plan.
Asked about her tax plans, Benson promised a "blue ribbon commission" to undertake a thorough review of how the state brings in revenue.
When it comes to the barriers holding back Michigan's economy and keeping workers on the sidelines, Benson has called out a lack of affordable and accessible childcare. She has proposed expanding free pre-K to three-year-olds and supporting other programs for families with young children without specifying how she would pay for her plans. During her remarks to the DEC, Benson also described health care costs as a workforce challenge because "you can't work if you're not healthy."
Both candidates face bipartisan calls to overhaul Michigan's economic development approach, including abolishing the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the quasi-governmental agency that administers public subsidy programs for companies. Neither Benson nor James explicitly called for eliminating the MEDC.
Benson said "MEDC is at the top of my list" for her plans to overhaul state departments and agencies, calling for an "enforceable return on investment" and ensure the state has an economic development arm that ensures Michigan is "the economic engine of the Midwest."
James said unleashing economic growth requires viewing businesses "as revenue generators" instead of a "piggybank" for Lansing. James has repeatedly called for reducing the state budget, including slashing corporate subsidy spending.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Benson, James outline economic plans to business crowd
