Polling Average
80%60%40%20%0%
55.8%
12.7%
6.5%
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
$53.0K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleSecretary of State
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyLiberal Democrat
Age48 years old (Oct 22, 1977)
GenderFemale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundAttorney
EducationWellesley College (B.A.), 1999
Notable personal detailsJocelyn Michelle Benson is an American attorney and politician who has served as Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State since 2019. She previously served as dean of Wayne State University Law School and worked in election and civil-rights law, including at the Southern Poverty Law Center. She earned a B.A. from Wellesley College, a master’s degree in sociology at the University of Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Benson announced a run for governor of Michigan in the 2026 election cycle.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgmichigan.govlegislature.mi.govjocelynbenson.comapnews.comlinkedin.comes.wikipedia.orgmichwomen.comamericanpolitics.fandom.comgongwer.commichiganpublic.orgwashingtonpost.comcbsnews.comminingjournal.netlinktr.eeinterlochen.orgmichiganadvance.comourmidland.comdetroitnews.comthemidwesterner.newsmichigannewssource.comnwlcactionfund.orgmichiganlcv.orgmichiganchronicle.comkiplinger.comuppermichiganssource.comaxios.comabcnews.go.comwsj.comballotready.orgncsl.orgnass.orgjudiciary.senate.govdocuments.ncsl.orgcongress.govorganizations.ballotready.orgpeters.senate.govgovinfo.govrules.senate.govwalberg.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgmcclain.house.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfrontpage.ballotpedia.orgcha.house.govdata.ballotpedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orghuizenga.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports making Michigan more affordable through public investments in housing, healthcare, childcare, and education while prioritizing efficient, transparent government and economic development reform; opposes providing tax breaks as the primary tool to attract business and emphasizes workforce/talent development instead.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access and affordability through stronger implementation and funding of public programs (including protecting Medicaid coverage), establishing drug price and health care affordability boards, boosting the health care workforce, and improving reproductive and maternal health access. Focuses on administrative reforms at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to reduce coverage gaps and increase enrollment navigation and community outreach.
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Immigration & Border
The candidate has defended recognizing asylum-seekers as having lawful presence for purposes like state licensing and emphasized verifying legal presence before issuing licenses. Her public statements and office communications use humanitarian language for migrants while following verification procedures rather than endorsing expanded enforcement measures. There is no evidence of support for major restrictionist or large-scale deportation policies in the sourced materials.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding abortion and reproductive health access, including codifying state-level protections and making reproductive care practically accessible across Michigan. Emphasizes strengthening access in rural areas and increasing support for maternal and reproductive health services. Opposes the rollback of Roe v. Wade and calls for legal protections to ensure access does not depend on location.
Climate & Energy
Supports clean energy transitions and policies to lower electricity costs while allowing responsible economic development; favors guardrails for energy‑intensive projects (like data centers) to protect water and limit energy cost impacts and has taken administrative action against groups opposing clean energy transparency.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 4, 2026
Jocelyn Benson remains a leading Democrat in the Michigan governor race, and recent polling has her ahead of Republican John James after independent Mike Duggan suspended his campaign. Duggan’s exit appears to have strengthened Benson’s position, and she said his supporters are welcome in her campaign. She has also been active on the trail, including a UAW forum where candidates clashed over donations, energy costs, and labor issues. More recently, Benson said she will skip a televised Democratic debate because of a prior event with educators.
en.wikipedia.org+47
Articles
MLM Live Michigan 1 month ago
Jocelyn Benson won’t appear in televised governor’s debate ahead of Democratic primary
Negative
WWJLA1 month ago
Ex-Detroit mayor suspends independent campaign for Michigan governor
Positive
MLM Live Michigan 1 month ago
As governor’s race became a ‘referendum’ on Trump, Duggan’s path to victory evaporated
Positive
FFortune1 month ago
'In 60 days there’s been a huge change in the attitudes of this country': Former Detroit mayor says bipartisan approach in governor race is doomed
Positive
Polls
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
United Auto Workers
Elected official
United Auto Workers endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising