Jocelyn Benson declared victory in Michigan’s gubernatorial race as Tuesday night turned into Wednesday morning, and she made her victory speech in front of a vivacious crowd at downtown Detroit’s Hudson’s ballroom. She will become Michigan’s 50th governor when she is inaugurated in January 2027.
It was a long night, but the energy never seemed to fade, as Benson took the stage just before 1:30 a.m. Wednesday with roughly 77% of the state reporting and her having a 10-point lead over James (2.1 million votes to 1.7 million votes) telling supporters that “the power of the people will always rule the day.” During her speech, she celebrated her election and promised to focus her administration on affordability, health care, workers’ wages and protecting Michiganders’ rights.
The final vote count remained incomplete as election officials continued reporting results.
Her election marks several milestones in Michigan history. Benson and Lt. Gov.-elect Winnie Brinks will become the first all-women governor and lieutenant governor team in state history. Benson’s election, following Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, marks the first time the state has elected different women to consecutive gubernatorial terms.
Addressing supporters during her victory speech, Benson described the result as a collective achievement and thanked the thousands of people who helped her campaign reach voters throughout the state.
“This is a victory for every one of us, every Michigander,” Benson said. “This is a victory for all of us.”
She credited campaign volunteers and staff members who spent nearly two years organizing, knocking on doors, making phone calls and holding conversations with voters in all 83 Michigan counties.
“To those of you who stayed here once longer than you might have thought, but we worked also for days and months, and the better part of two years to knock doors, make phone calls, have thousands of conversations with voters in all 83 counties,” she said. “This win is for you.”
She singled out her husband, Ryan, who will become the first governor’s spouse who is a combat veteran.
Benson said her administration would work with anyone willing to deliver for Michigan residents, but promised to stand firm when she believes their rights, freedoms or livelihoods are threatened.
“I’m trying to work with anyone who is ready to deliver for the people of Michigan, but make no mistake, I will be unafraid to stand up to any bully, no matter who brings chaos to our communities, or tries to put their profits ahead of our people, or threatens the rights or freedoms of Michiganders,” she said. “Because I will always fight for you, no matter who you are, where you live, how you pray, or how you vote.”
Benson also addressed reproductive health care, promising that women and girls would have access to the care they need.
“We’ll work together every day to ensure that young girls and women always have access to the health care they need,” she said.
Her comments drew a response from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan President and CEO Paula Thornton Greear, who congratulated Benson and said the organization looks forward to working with her administration.
“Michigan voters enshrined reproductive freedom in our constitution four years ago, and tonight they chose a governor who has pledged to fight to make it as accessible in every part of Michigan as it is on paper,” Thornton Greear said. “With the Trump administration attacking reproductive health care at every turn, those protections must be matched by access to care.”
Thornton Greear said Planned Parenthood was “thrilled to congratulate Governor-elect Benson” and proud to have a partner in the governor’s office who made health care the defining issue of her campaign.
“From her first day in office, we are ready to work with her administration and the Legislature to realize a future where care is within reach for all Michiganders,” she said.
Benson also thanked Whitmer for her leadership and support, acknowledging the outgoing governor’s influence as she prepares to take over the state’s top executive office.
“I want to say a particular thank you to you for your leadership and love for the state of Michigan and for your friendship and support,” Benson said.
Whitmer, who was first elected in 2018 and reelected in 2022, will leave office after completing her second term. Benson’s election means Michigan voters have chosen a woman to succeed a woman governor for the first time in the state’s history. The state previously elected Jennifer Granholm, who served from 2003 to 2011, as its first woman governor.
Benson and Brinks also will make history as the first all-women gubernatorial team elected in Michigan. Brinks, who serves as the state Senate majority leader, will become the state’s first female lieutenant governor since Connie Binsfeld, who held the office from 1991 to 1999.
Looking ahead, Benson said she recognizes the challenges that await her administration, including difficult decisions and disagreements, but expressed confidence in Michigan residents’ ability to work together.
“The challenges ahead are serious. There will be disagreements, difficult decisions and days when the work feels harder than we imagine,” she said. “But I know what Michiganders can accomplish when we come together around a common purpose.”
She pointed to Michigan’s manufacturing history and its role in building the middle class, saying the state has the ability to meet its challenges through cooperation.
“Here in Michigan, we put the world on wheels, we built the middle class,” Benson said.
She promised to work with people across the state and political spectrum while focusing on the issues she said matter most to families, including the cost of living, wages and government accountability.
“Let’s lower costs. Let’s raise our wages. Let’s end corruption. Let’s make Michigan the best place to live,” she said.
Benson closed her speech by thanking voters and promising that her administration would begin working on those priorities.
“Tonight you’ve given us the opportunity to build a Michigan that works for everyone,” she said. “We’re ready to get to work for you.”
She acknowledged that governing would bring challenges, but said her administration would remain focused on creating opportunities for Michigan families and building a future for the state’s children.
“Every family deserves the chance to keep their loved ones happy, healthy, safe and thriving, and every child deserves a future that is limitless,” Benson said. “We’re going to build that future for all of our kids together.”
As supporters celebrated her victory, Benson returned to the theme that defined her closing remarks: the election represented an opportunity to bring people together around shared goals.
“Now, the work begins,” she said.