As Michiganders prepare to cast their vote for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s replacement, the choice before our state extends far beyond two candidates or two political parties. It becomes a fundamental choice about how government should function, who it should serve, and whether our state will be led by proven administrative competence or a series of political promises.
In the race for Governor of Michigan, voters face a sharp contrast between Democratic nominee Jocelyn Benson, current Secretary of State, and Republican nominee John James, U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District. Both candidates brought their visions directly to the Michigan Chronicle in extensive interviews, laying out their platforms for economic growth, education, healthcare, and community empowerment.
After evaluating their public records, their sit-down interviews in our offices, their performances in the October 2026 gubernatorial debate, and their explicit policy proposals, the Michigan Chronicle endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor of Michigan.
While both candidates recognize the deep economic and structural challenges facing Michiganders – particularly lower-income and Black Michiganders – Benson brings a proven track record of administrative transformation, concrete policy proposals to lower household costs, and a steadfast commitment to government transparency. More importantly, she understands that for Black Michiganders, effective governance is a matter of survival, wealth-building, and unyielding civil rights defense, whereas James hasn’t demonstrated that in his voting record throughout his time in Washington.
Proven Administrative Delivery vs. Political Rhetoric
Governance, Benson said in her interview with the Michigan Chronicle, is not just about passing laws; it is about making government work efficiently for everyday people. When Benson assumed office as Secretary of State, the department was infamous for multi-hour wait times and systemic inefficiencies. Over her eight years, she transformed a notoriously broken agency into a customer-centric operation, noting that she was able to “take something that seemed unfixable and fix it” and see government as something that can “show up for you”.
This distinction between policymaking and execution is critical for working-class residents and Black families who interact with state agencies daily. Whether navigating state health benefits or renewing a driver’s license, bureaucratic friction disproportionately harms those with the fewest resources to spare. Benson’s has shown her ability to fix broken state
systems, and it provides confidence that she can reform complex agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
She’s also pledged to voluntarily subject the Governor’s office to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), issue executive orders mandating agency compliance, and push for comprehensive sunshine laws.
Confronting the Secretary of State’s Discrimination Lawsuit
As an editorial board representing Detroit and Black Michiganders, we can’t and won’t ignore the ongoing civil litigation facing the Secretary of State’s office. Four state employees have filed a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination and workplace inequities within the department under Benson’s tenure.
Allegations of racial bias in public institutions carry immense historical weight. Black workers in state government deserve fair treatment, equal promotional opportunities, and a work environment free from systemic prejudice. Any leader seeking the governorship must be held to the highest standard of workplace equity and transparency.
When asked about the lawsuit, Benson denied the legal allegations while acknowledging the emotional gravity of the issue.
“The allegations are completely false, and I believe in the legal process that will bear that out over time. And at the same time, it has illuminated things – and I know how these types of issues bring up a lot of pain for a lot of Michiganders.”
While the judicial system must run its course, our endorsement of Benson is not a dismissal of these employee grievances. It reflects an honest assessment of the broader policy landscape. However, as governor, Benson must ensure that the equity she champions publicly is rigorously enforced inside every state agency.
A Blueprint for Black Prosperity and Survival
Black Michiganders can’t afford abstract political promises. We require targeted structural interventions. Benson’s agenda speaks directly to the specific, systemic disparities that Black families face in this state:
· Treating Black Maternal Health as a Crisis: The disproportionately high rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Black women in Michigan is an ongoing tragedy. Benson has stated she will prioritize and address this crisis with urgency. Her plan includes expanding Medicaid-covered doula and midwife services, requiring bias training for maternal health providers, and improving access to culturally competent healthcare.
· Expanding Generational Wealth and Homeownership: Benson has connected economic opportunity and homeownership to the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. To help Black families build financial security, she has proposed expanded tax credits to assist first-time homebuyers with down payments and efforts to lower housing costs.
· Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: Recognizing Black-owned businesses as a priority, Benson has committed to removing barriers to entrepreneurship and increasing access to capital and state contracts. She proposed directing more state economic development resources toward local entrepreneurs instead of large, out-of-state companies.
· Equitable Public School Funding: Recognizing that the current system fails urban districts, Benson has pledged to replace Michigan’s one-size-fits-all school funding approach with a weighted, needs-based system. This will direct additional resources toward low-income students and English learners in communities like Saginaw and Benton Harbor.
· Strengthening Voting Rights: Benson has committed to passing a Michigan Voting Rights Act to establish stronger state-level protections against voter suppression and racial discrimination.
· A Seat at the Table: Benson pledged that Black Michiganders would have a continued voice in her administration, calling on Black community leaders and residents to help shape her priorities and hold her accountable. She’s already championed this through the formation on a Black Women’s Coalition based in Detroit.
Examining John James: Rhetoric vs. Voting Record
Congressman John James speaks with passion about his experience as a combat veteran and business leaders, as well as his Detroit roots and his desire to uplift the Black community. He said that “nothing has changed for Detroit in generations” under traditional leadership. James’s diagnosis of structural neglect in urban neighborhoods resonates deeply. However, his legislative record and proposed state policies run counter to the best interests of Black, low-income, and working-class Michiganders:
1. Corporate Interests over Local Control: During his time in Congress, James voted four times to block local municipalities from placing regulations or guardrails on data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, while personally purchasing stock in data center companies. In contrast, Benson’s proposed data center moratorium prioritizes neighborhood air quality and water preservation.
2. Siphoning Resources from Public Schools: James champions “Education Freedom” tax credit vouchers. These voucher schemes historically siphon critical funding out of urban public school districts – where the vast majority of Black children are educated – and direct public dollars toward private institutions that lack public oversight.
3. Safety Nets and Work Requirements: James confirmed his support for imposing strict work requirements on Medicaid and SNAP recipients. Strict administrative hurdles routinely disenroll working poor families and caregivers due to paperwork red tape, deepening poverty rather than encouraging work.
4. Tariff Policies: James has consistently supported broad federal tariff strategies that spike raw material costs and consumer prices, threatening Michigan supply chains and auto jobs.
The Verdict
Moving our state forward requires leadership that combines operational skill and the desire to look out for the most vulnerable by meeting them where they are. John James’s underlying policy framework relies on trickle-down economics, public school deregulation, and safety-net reductions that disproportionately harm Black and low-income families.
Jocelyn Benson has proven how she can take complex, neglected public systems and make them work. Moreover, she offers a specific, structural blueprint designed to protect Black lives, build generational Black wealth, and combat systemic inequities. For these reasons, the Michigan Chronicle proudly endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor of Michigan.