Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson has chosen state Sen. Winnie Brinks, the leader of the chamber, to be her lieutenant governor.
Benson was in the final week to officially announce her choice for lieutenant governor.
Brinks brings more than a decade of legislative experience to the Democratic ticket. She was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012, serving three terms before being elected to the Michigan Senate.
She won a write-in campaign before serving three terms in the House and being elected to Senate in 2018. She is the first female Senate majority leader.
“Fourteen years ago, when Democrats needed to field a last-minute candidate for my state representative seat, many of my neighbors urged me to run as a write-in candidate. And while I could think of a million reasons not to run, I knew that if I wanted to see things change, I couldn’t wait for someone else to do it,” Brinks said.
The Benson campaign hosted an event at a brewery in Grand Rapids Wednesday, where Brinks is from.
“As Lieutenant Governor, Winnie will draw on her wealth of legislative knowledge to help implement our plans to lower costs and raise wages for Michigan families. She’s the right partner to help lead Michigan forward and I’m proud to have her join me in the fight for a brighter, more affordable future.”
Benson the day before she named her pick said there were many options.
“What I’m looking for is someone who can bring perspectives that perhaps aren’t already at the table,” Benson told Michigan Chronicle on Tuesday. “Someone who’s got great governing and legislative experience as well. There are a lot of great options out there.”
U.S. Rep. John James last week named state Rep. Jay DeBoyer as his pick for lieutenant governor. DeBoyer, of St. Clair County, chairs the Michigan House Oversight Committee.
“Jay embodies the West Point Honor Code principles I expect in my administration: restoring integrity, competence, and trust in state government,” James said in a post announcing his pick.
DeBoyer has led the House Oversight Committee through hearings over Benson’s handling of election records, her rollout of the new campaign finance system, among other controversy’s surrounding Democratic statewide office holders.
DeBoyer also has years of municipal government experience, serving for 12 years as the St. Clair County Clerk and Register of Deeds, and previously serving as the Clay Township supervisor.
At the event in Grand Rapids Tuesday, Benson and Brinks cast James and his running mate as beholden to President Donald Trump.
“Time and time again, James has made it clear that he is not fighting for the people of Michigan — he’s fighting for Donald Trump,” Brinks said. “That’s not leadership and it’s not what Michigan needs.”
State Sen. Sarah Anthony was the first name floated by politicos in the past months, but Anthony is scheduled to hold a “2026 kickoff” for her reelection campaign on Aug. 27 in Lansing, the Detroit News reported. Sources familiar with her decision say at one point there was interest from both Benson and Anthony.
Former Michigan Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich of Flint has also been considered, sources say. He’s currently the leader of the Greater Flint Health Coalition.
The candidates are running for governor to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat.
Brinks could become Michigan’s third female lieutenant governor. Matilda Dodge Wilson was Appointed in 1940 by Governor Luren Dickinson to fill a vacancy, becoming the first female lieutenant governor in Michigan, and one of the first in the United States.
Connie Binsfeld was elected alongside Governor John Engler, in 1991, serving she served two full four-year terms as Michigan’s 60th lieutenant governor.
