ICYMI: Benson Zeroes in on Affordability and Lowering Costs in Campaign for Governor
Benson to POLITICO: “This election is about Michigan, and this election is about who is best positioned to lower costs for the people in our state”
New reporting from POLITICO details gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson’s laser focus on lowering costs for Michiganders. Benson is the only candidate in the race with real plans to lower costs. After traveling the state hearing countless stories from Michiganders who are struggling under the weight of an unaffordable health care system, earlier this year, Benson rolled out her agenda to fix Michigan's broken health care system through a plan focused on affordability, accessibility, and fairness.
While the leading Republican candidate voted to raise health costs on Michiganders and the “Independent” says Medicaid cuts aren’t that bad for the hundreds of thousands who rely on them, Benson is using every tool in her toolbox to lower costs.
In case you missed it…
[Erin Doherty, 1/29/26]
“This election is about Michigan, and this election is about who is best positioned to lower costs for the people in our state,” Michigan Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson told POLITICO.
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“This is the moment where you need a governor who won’t bend the knee,” said Benson, who has been outspoken against the Trump administration following back-to-back killings of protestors in Minnesota by federal agents.
Benson was on the front lines of defending her state’s election results after 2020, facing threats and swatting attacks. That period is a part of her messaging: Her campaign launch video showed news footage of her home being surrounded by protesters, and she remains outspoken against false claims related to the 2020 election.
She has also cast that moment as proof of leadership — and a willingness to stand up to Trump. “We fought back to protect democracy itself and we showed that as state officials, that’s how we have to respond to bullies who try to rip away our rights no matter how powerful they may be,” she said.
But on the campaign trail, Benson has often focused more on bread-and-butter economic issues. Affordability, housing, health care, childcare and energy costs are listed as her top issues on her campaign website.
“What every resident, every citizen, every voter in this election knows is how important it is to have a governor who will fight for them and who will fight for them in a way that that effectively lowers their cost of living while also protecting the safety of themselves, their families and their communities,” Benson told POLITICO.
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