Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks at a get out the vote event at Solidarity House in Detroit on Nov. 1 2024, days before the presidential election. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)
To almost no one’s surprise, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made it official Wednesday that she is a candidate for Michigan governor in 2026.
In a video posted to social media, the Detroit Democrat said she was running for the state’s top office to “truly make government work for everyone,” adding that we need “leaders who are transparent and accountable.”
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited in 2026.
Senate Minority Leader Nesbitt announces 2026 gubernatorial run
Benson is the first Democrat to officially step into the race, joining Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Twp.), who announced last week that he is seeking the GOP nomination, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who said in December he would seek the office as an independent after being a lifelong Democrat.
Benson has been hinting at her plans to try and succeed Whitmer, most recently sending out an email to supporters earlier this month with the subject line: “She’s running,” although it was actually referencing that she was running another marathon. On Tuesday night, Benson tweeted her announcement for governor, but quickly deleted the post.
In Wednesday’s official announcement, Benson laid out her background as the daughter of public school teachers working in special education.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot in life. That’s what my parents taught me growing up,” she said.
“I’ve carried that lesson every step of my life, investigating radical extremist groups, teaching civil rights and voting rights law.”
Benson noted that she ran for secretary of state in 2018 with the goal of making sure every “legitimate vote is counted in every election, no matter the outcome,” adding that “some people didn’t like that very much.” She is termed out of office in 2026.
The video then includes news footage from 2020 when armed supporters of President Donald Trump surrounded her home in his attempt at subverting former President Joe Biden’s win that November.
“I’ve never backed down from a tough fight or hard work,” said Benson, who while never mentioning Trump by name, references the new administration in Washington D.C. and the powers behind it, while showing images of Trump and billionaire Elon Musk.
“I’ve spent my life standing up to powerful interests, and I’ll keep standing up to any bullies or billionaires who try to deceive us, divide us, take away our rights, or deny anyone the opportunity to get a fair shot,” she said.
Benson emphasized her accomplishments as dean of the Wayne State University Law School, where she said she “lowered costs by freezing tuition and expanding scholarships while making it one of the top law schools in the country.”
As secretary of state, Benson said her administration “eliminated the long lines, expanded online services and stations, and launched mobile offices to bring services to every corner of our state.”
She closed her message with a laundry list of progressive priorities, including “access to affordable health care and reproductive freedom,” adding that every Michigander should be able to “pay their bills, put food on the table, and take care of their families.”
“We deserve, and our kids deserve, schools that are the best in the nation, along with quality, affordable childcare. Let’s make Michigan the best place to be a kid, raise a kid, stay and call home. But I can’t do it without you. Working together. I know we can do all of this and more, so let’s go,” said Benson.
Other prominent Democrats who could also join the race for 2026 include Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who told the Detroit News last week that he wasn’t ruling out that possibility.
On the GOP side, in addition to Nesbitt, Republican former Attorney General Mike Cox, who is married to former Michigan GOP Chair Laura Cox, has formed a gubernatorial committee, but has yet to announce. Other Republicans who could seek the nomination include former gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon, former state House Speaker Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) and U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Twp.).
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