Polling Average
50%40%30%20%10%0%
37.3%
35.1%
23.7%
$294.2K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Live Odds
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
Jocelyn Benson is trading at 84% to win the Michigan Governor winner? on prediction markets.
Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleSecretary of State
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyLiberal Democrat
Age48 years old (Oct 22, 1977)
GenderFemale
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LocationMichigan
BackgroundPolitician
EducationHarvard Law School (JD)
Notable personal detailsJocelyn Michelle Benson is an American politician and attorney who has served as Michigan’s 43rd Secretary of State since 2019. She previously served as dean of Wayne State University Law School (2012–2016) and has worked as a civil-rights and election-law scholar. Benson is a graduate of Harvard Law School and has been active in supporting military families through Military Spouses of Michigan.
SourcesShowHide
michigan.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgjocelynbenson.comonyourballot.vote411.orgdetroitchamber.comlegislature.mi.govlinkedin.comjcbenson.comivoterguide.comcongressweb.comwww6.twstalker.comlinktr.eees.wikipedia.orgmultistate.usinfluencewatch.orgnass.orgarxiv.orginterlochen.orgmichiganadvance.comourmidland.comdetroitnews.commichiganpublic.orgapnews.comthemidwesterner.newsmichigannewssource.comnwlcactionfund.orgcbsnews.commichiganlcv.orgmichiganchronicle.comkiplinger.comuppermichiganssource.combridgemi.comuaw.orgreproductivefreedomforall.orggiffords.orgmiaflcio.orgspectrumlocalnews.comwlns.comthehill.commichiganindependent.comfox2detroit.comnbcnews.comdeadlinedetroit.comfacebook.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgcongress.govpeters.senate.govgovinfo.govballotready.orgdocs.house.govrules.senate.govcha.house.govjudiciary.senate.govnga.orghistory.house.govmurphy.senate.gov
Political 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.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedAug 5, 2026
Jocelyn Benson won the Michigan Democratic gubernatorial primary, defeating Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and becoming the party’s nominee for governor. She will now move on to the general election for the open seat being left by term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Earlier reports said she had been the clear frontrunner in polling and fundraising, and her path got a bit easier after Mike Duggan suspended his independent campaign. Benson also skipped a televised primary debate in June, citing a prior event with educators.
michigan.gov+56
Articles
MLM Live Michigan 2 days ago
Benson wins Democratic governor primary in ‘landslide.’ See photos
Positive
DFDetroit Free Press3 days ago
Jocelyn Benson wins Michigan's Democratic gubernatorial primary
Positive
MLM Live Michigan 3 days ago
Jocelyn Benson wins Democratic primary for Michigan governor
Positive
ESEUROPE SAYS11 days ago
Trump visiting Metro Detroit on Monday as Gordie Howe Bridge prepares to welcome travelers
Positive
Latest Polls
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Jocelyn Benson currently averages 37.3%, ranking first in this race, 2.2 points ahead of the nearest opponent.
Polling average: 37.3%Position: firstMargin: +2.2 ptsLatest poll: 47.0% (Jul 24 - 31)Polls included: 42
Average recalculated from polls through Jul 24 - 31.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Jocelyn Benson for Michigan Democratic Governor nominee?
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Michigan
Elected official
SEIU Michigan endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor.
Pete Buttigieg
Elected official
Pete Buttigieg endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor.
Michigan League of Conservation Voters
Elected official
Michigan League of Conservation Voters endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor.
Detroit Free Press
Public figure
Detroit Free Press endorsed Jocelyn Benson in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.
Michigan Chronicle
Elected official
Michigan Chronicle endorsed Jocelyn Benson as Michigan's next governor.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield
Elected official
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield endorsed Jocelyn Benson.
United Auto Workers
Elected official
United Auto Workers endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor.
13th Congressional District Democratic Party
Elected official
13th Congressional District Democrats endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor of Michigan.
Jim Blanchard
Former elected official
Former Michigan governor Jim Blanchard endorsed Jocelyn Benson.
Michigan state legislators
Public endorsement
Three Michigan Democratic state legislators endorsed Jocelyn Benson in the gubernatorial race.
Reproductive Freedom for All
Elected official
Reproductive Freedom for All endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Michigan governor.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising