In her Democratic bid to be Michigan's next governor, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has chosen Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate, according to three sources with knowledge of the decision who requested anonymity because they weren't authorized to disclose the information.
Benson's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Brinks would bring years of legislative experience to the Democratic ticket. She was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012 and served three terms in the chamber before serving in the Michigan Senate.
In 2022, when Michigan Democrats won their first majority in the state Senate in 40 years, her colleagues picked her as their majority leader, making her the first woman
to ever hold the position. During a Democratic trifecta, she helped secure long-stalled policy priorities supported by her party previously, and she led the Michigan Senate through the tumult of a chaotic lame-duck session that saw other Democratic policies die in the Michigan House of Representatives.
In addition to her time in the Michigan Capitol, Brinks brings geographic diversity to the ticket. Benson lives in Detroit while Brinks lives in Grand Rapids.
The Detroit News first reported on Benson's selection.
If elected in November, Benson and Brinks would mark a historic first. While Michigan has already had women serve as governor and lieutenant governor, a woman governor has never served alongside a woman lieutenant governor.
The Michigan Democratic Party will formally nominate its pick for lieutenant governor at an upcoming convention on Saturday, Aug. 29.
Republican candidate for governor U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, has chosen fierce Benson critic state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, as his pick for lieutenant governor.
The election to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Whitmer cannot run again due to term limits.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Benson chooses running mate in Michigan's governor race, sources say
