Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Jocelyn Benson wins Michigan governor’s race
Jocelyn Benson won Michigan’s governor’s race, defeating Republican U.S. Rep.
John James, according to the Associated Press and NBC News.
Benson, a Democrat who has served as Michigan’s secretary of state since 2019, will succeed term-limited Gov.
Gretchen Whitmer.
Her win means Democrats will hold the governorship for four more years, the first time since the 1960s that a Democrat has succeeded a Democratic governor in Michigan.
Benson campaigned on making life more affordable, including proposals on housing, health care and child care.
She also promised to reinvest in education and protect election integrity.
Democrats hold the state Senate but not the state House, so they would need to gain four House seats and keep the Senate to control both chambers.
Benson is set to take office as governor, but the sources do not give a date.
Democrat Jocelyn Benson defeated Republican Rep. John James in Michigan’s governor’s race, according to projections from the Associated Press and NBC News.
Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state since 2019, will succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Her victory extends Democratic control of the governor’s office for four more years.
The Associated Press reported Benson with 2,505,159 votes, or 54%, and James with 2,036,870 votes, or 44%, with 88.9% of precincts reporting.
Benson campaigned on affordability, housing, healthcare, education and election integrity.
- Who
- Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, defeated Republican Rep. John James.
- What
- Benson won Michigan’s governor’s race and will become governor.
- When
- The election was held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
- Where
- Michigan.
- Why
- Benson won the race; the sources do not state a specific reason for the result.
Benson
James
Data centers
Benson
Benson said James supported policies favoring data centers while holding stocks in them.
James
James accused Benson’s family of profiting from a data center and said related stocks were held in broad mutual funds.
Trump and policy positions
Benson
Benson criticized James for not voting for congressional resolutions to end the Iran war.
James
James sought distance from Trump and said he would stand up to him on issues including the Iran war and tariffs on Canada.
Benson has served as Michigan’s secretary of state.
Michigan held its gubernatorial election, and Benson defeated James, according to projections.
Benson delivered her victory speech to supporters at a Democratic election watch party.
- Benson’s reported vote
- 2,505,159 votes; 54%
- James’s reported vote
- 2,036,870 votes; 44%
- Precincts reporting
- 88.9%
- Benson’s state office
- Michigan secretary of state since 2019
- Next governor
- Jocelyn Benson
4 sources
What people are saying
From the grocery store to the gas pump, from the doctor’s office to the housing market, I will work constantly as your governor to bring down costs and protect families from corporate greed.
As Secretary of State, I cut through red tape and transformed an office people dreaded into one they praise for its efficiency. As governor, I’ll do the same for our housing processes.