By: Jasmine West
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will carry the Democratic Party’s banner into the November race for governor after overwhelmingly defeating Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in Tuesday’s primary election.
The Associated Press called the race for Benson shortly after polls closed Tuesday night. At the time of the projection, Benson had received 219,176 votes, or 84%, compared with Swanson’s 40,446 votes, or 16%, with 7.1% of precincts reporting.
AP also declared John James the winner of the GOP primary.
Standing before supporters as the Democratic nominee, Benson cast the victory as a mandate to build a state government that answers to Michigan residents rather than political donors or powerful interests.
“I am so thrilled to stand before you as the Democratic nominee for the next governor of Michigan,” Benson said. “Thank you for placing your trust in me to work for you and with you. The power of the people must always be greater than the people in power.”
Benson now moves into a general election that will determine who succeeds Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot seek a third consecutive term. Michigan voters will elect their next governor on Nov. 3.
Her victory was widely expected, but its size gave Benson a decisive opening as Democrats begin the difficult work of holding the governor’s office in one of the nation’s most closely watched battleground states.
The November campaign will unfold as Michigan families continue confronting rising housing, utility, healthcare, grocery and transportation costs. Benson made affordability central to her victory speech while drawing a sharp contrast between the administration she intends to lead and the political loyalties she says have shaped government under President Donald Trump.
“Who do you want Michigan leaders to work for? The people or the powerful?” Benson asked. “I will work for the people. Not the highest bidder. Not Donald Trump. You.”
“As the next governor of Michigan, I will work to drive down costs, and I will be ready to stand up to anyone who gets in our way,” she continued.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield, one of Benson’s prominent supporters, described the nominee as a leader who has remained connected to the city while demonstrating a willingness to take on difficult fights.
Detroit is where Benson and her husband are raising their son, Sheffield said, and a city Benson “has never stopped fighting for.”
“I’ve known Jocelyn my entire time in office, and she’s answered every time I called,” Sheffield said. “She believes that public safety is rooted in trust and accountability, and she has carried those values throughout her entire career.”
Sheffield also pointed to Benson’s administration of Michigan elections during an era of intense political pressure, threats against election workers and repeated efforts to undermine confidence in the voting process.
“As secretary of state, she helped make Michigan a national leader in fair elections,” Sheffield said. “I’ve watched Jocelyn lead with conviction and choose what is right even when it wasn’t easy.”
Benson has served as Michigan’s secretary of state since 2019. Before entering statewide office, she served as dean of Wayne State University Law School from 2012 to 2016.
Her tenure as secretary of state has made her one of Michigan’s most recognizable Democratic officials. She has overseen the implementation of voter-approved election changes, defended the state’s election system against false claims and promoted efforts intended to make Secretary of State services more accessible.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Benson’s record provides Democrats with a clear argument heading into the general election.
“As secretary of state, Jocelyn has saved Michiganders time and money by transforming a broken government system, and time and again, she’s stood up to Donald Trump to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms,” Hertel said.
He said a Benson administration would focus on lowering healthcare, utility and housing costs while building “an affordable future where everyone can stay and thrive in Michigan.”
Hertel also thanked Swanson for his campaign and called him “a champion for working people in Genesee County and across the state.”
Swanson entered the race with national recognition that grew after he marched with demonstrators during the 2020 protests following the murder of George Floyd. Despite that profile, he struggled to overcome Benson’s statewide name recognition, party support and fundraising strength.
Benson’s commanding primary win brings the Democratic contest to an end, but the larger race is only beginning. Michigan Democrats must now bring together voters across Detroit, its suburbs, small cities and rural communities while making the case that they should retain control of the governor’s office after eight years under Whitmer.
“Let’s take tonight’s landslide victory and deliver another one this fall,” said Benson.
Sheffield compared that challenge to the endurance Benson has shown while completing more than 40 marathons, including one while eight months pregnant.
“She is now running another marathon, a marathon to make life more affordable, from the grocery store to the gas pump,” Sheffield said. “A marathon toward a stronger and more prosperous Michigan.”
“The marathon continues,” she added, “but this time, we are all running beside her.”
