Today, South West Michigan leaders including the Mayor of St. Joseph, school board members, and the president of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed Jocelyn Benson for Governor. These leaders are joining Benson’s team because they know she will work with anyone to get things done for the farmers, teachers, students, and families that call this area of Michigan home. 

“Here in St. Joseph, we know the value of community — and we need a governor who understands that strong communities don’t happen by accident,” said St. Joseph Mayor Brook Thomas. “They’re built by leaders who show up, listen to local families and small businesses, and fight for the resources we need to thrive. Jocelyn Benson has done that time and again. She understands the pressures people are feeling — from the rising cost of housing and groceries to the strain on working parents and seniors just trying to make ends meet. She’s shown that she’ll work with anyone, across party lines, to support communities like ours. That’s why I’m proud to endorse her for governor. Southwest Michigan can count on Jocelyn Benson to be a true partner and an advocate for every family who calls this region home.”

“As a retired UAW worker and now a member of our town council, I’ve spent my life fighting for working people and standing up for our seniors — and that’s why I’m proud to support Jocelyn Benson for governor,” said Jim Pedersen, Cassapaloosis resident and President of the Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans. “Every day I hear from seniors who are being impacted by rising costs: higher utility bills, prescription drug prices that keep climbing, and housing that are  getting harder to afford on a fixed income. They deserve a governor who understands their struggles and has the backbone to do something about it. I trust Jocelyn to put seniors, working families, and small towns at the center of her agenda.”

"I've known Jocelyn since her very first race back in 2010, and I've watched her fight for communities like ours ever since. Now, serving on the Plainwell School Board, I see firsthand the challenges our schools are facing. We're stretching every dollar while trying to keep class sizes manageable, maintain programs that prepare our kids for the future, and support teachers who are already paying out of pocket for classroom supplies. Our students deserve better, and so do the educators who show up for them every day,” said Plainwell School Board member Jill Dunham. “Jocelyn Benson understands that strong public schools are essential to small communities. She's committed to making sure districts like Plainwell get the resources we need, that our teachers are supported, and that every student has access to a quality education. I've seen her dedication for over a decade, and that's why I'm supporting her for governor. I'm Team Benson all the way!"

“From the miles of sandy shoreline to the U-pick farms that make this region a powerhouse for Michigan’s blueberry, peach, and apple growers, Southwest Michigan is vibrant — and it deserves a partner in Lansing who will help it thrive," said Jocelyn Benson. "As governor I’ll make sure our rural communities are front and center. And I will work with these local leaders to make life more affordable, protect our water, and build a future where every Southwest Michigander can succeed.”

The full list of endorsements include: 

Benton Harbor School Board President Dashauna Robinson

St. Joseph Mayor Brook Thomas

Former St. Joseph Mayor Laura Goos 

Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans President Jim Pederson

Plainwell School Board member Jill Dunham 

Former Allegan County Judge Bill Baillaregeon

New Buffalo Township Trustee Howard Males

These Southwest Michigan leaders  join a growing coalition of supporters across the state for Jocelyn's campaign for governor. She has received labor endorsements from Michigan Laborers Council, a majority of the Michigan Teamsters Locals, UFCW Locals 876 and 951 in Southfield and Grand Rapids, and the Association of Flight Attendants - CWA as well as national organizations including EMILYs List and End Citizen United. She also has the support of over 20 state legislators, including State Rep. Joey Andrews who represents Southwest Michigan,  and nearly two dozen municipal leaders from across Michigan including the mayors of Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, Cadillac, Highland Park, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, and Berkeley.