Democrat Benson wins Michigan governor’s race

Audio By Carbonatix

(The Center Square) – Democrat Jocelyn Benson is projected to win Michigan’s gubernatorial race, defeating Republican John James.

Benson, who currently serves as the state’s secretary of state, defeated James on Tuesday night. The race was called just hours after the polls closed.

With 33% of the precincts reported at 11 p.m. EST, Benson was leading 54.5%-43.8% with 1.5 million votes counted. The race was called by multiple media outlets.

Benson will succeed fellow Democrat Gretchen Whitmer, who has served as governor for the past eight years. Michigan State Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, will serve as her lieutenant governor.

James was vying to be the first Republican governor of Michigan since Rick Snyder, who served from 2011 to 2019.

Michigan governors are limited to two four-year terms.

James, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, argued it was “time for change” in Michigan.

James was first elected to the U.S. House in 2022, after two failed campaigns for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020 and a failed campaign for governor in 2022.

Prior to her election as secretary of state in 2018, Benson worked as an attorney and as dean of Wayne State University Law School.

In her role as Michigan’s chief elections official, Benson has been vocal in her opposition to the Trump administration.

Over the past year, she has received significant backlash from state Republicans over everything from election integrity concerns to her past involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center following a federal indictment against the organization.

Benson’s top campaign issues were affordability, housing, and healthcare.