Jocelyn Benson and Winnie Brinks Slam “John James Tax” at Events Across Michigan

This week, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson and her running mate, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, slammed John James for backing Trump’s unaffordable tariffs at events across the state. 

Michiganders are already struggling as everything from gas to groceries to healthcare gets more expensive — and the Trump-James price hikes are only making things worse. Whether it’s putting a roof over your family’s head or a trip to the grocery store, these Trump-James tax hikes make life harder, not easier. The Benson-Brinks team is willing to call this out for what it is: a man-made “John James tax” Michiganders are forced to pay. 

In case you missed it…

On the airwaves: 

WOOD-TV — Grand Rapids, MI: The purpose of the visit by the Democratic nominee for governor was to talk about housing and specifically tour this facility that will create hundreds of new living spaces from an old converted industrial area. The problem is, says the nominee, is tariffs: “...It's not lost on me, the impact of tariffs, on developments like this: slowing down the process, increasing the cost of everything from steel to lumber to windows. This tax of tariffs that the Trump administration and my opponent John James have supported, have directly impacted and hurt communities and developments like this.” Secretary Benson also talked about affordable housing and what she thinks she could do as governor if elected to create more of it and do it right away.

WZZM-TV — Grand Rapids, MI: Democratic secretary of state and candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson touring a construction site in Muskegon, touting what she says is her plan for housing affordability…In the same visit, Benson blasting U.S. tariff policy: “They change from day to day. A developer doesn't know when they start the month, how much more money they're going to have to spend to meet these growing demands and these tariffs as they escalate.” It comes after the U.S. slapped its northern neighbor Canada with 50% tariffs on Saturday on a wide range of goods, including many construction materials.

WWJ-AM — Detroit, MI: Michigan Democrats are warning that President Donald Trump's 50% tariffs on Canadian imports and the trade war with that country will likely weaken the state's economy. They also called out their Republican counterparts who are backing the tariffs. Here is Senate majority leader and Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Winnie Brinks: “These tariffs will have real consequences for people across Michigan. They will drive up costs at a time when families are already struggling with the costs of groceries, gas and housing. And they will put even more pressure on Michigan's manufacturers and small businesses that depend on strong trade with Canada.”

In print: 

Michigan Advance: New tariffs on Canada heighten Michigan Democrats’ affordability attacks on Trump, GOP

[Katherine Dailey, 8/26/26] 

“Donald Trump has once again escalated his reckless trade war with Canada, allowing trade talks to collapse while imposing sweeping 50% tariffs on Michigan’s largest trading partner,” Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), the running mate for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, said in a press conference on Wednesday. “These tariffs will have real consequences for people across Michigan. They will drive up costs at a time when families are already struggling with the costs of groceries, gas, and housing, and they will put even more pressure on Michigan’s manufacturers and small businesses that depend on strong trade with Canada.”

This week, Trump said that the United States would impose 50% tariffs on about $20 billion in Canadian goods — about 5% of what Canada ships to the United States every year, ranging from hockey sticks to tongue depressors, the Associated Press reports. 

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada would retaliate beginning on Sept. 8, according to the AP, with measures affecting the steel, dairy, appliance and agricultural equipment sectors.

[...]

Brinks similarly sought to implicate U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), the Republican nominee for governor, citing his past votes in Congress supporting other tariffs proposed by Trump.

“John James has enthusiastically supported Trump’s trade war. In February, James voted in favor of tariffs on Canada,” Brinks said. “He had a chance to stand up for Michigan families, workers, and business, but instead he chose to support Trump’s tariff agenda. And now, as these new 50% tariffs take effect, John James has not said a single word, and that silence matters.”

MIRS: Democrats Take Sharp Turn To Tariffs

[8/26/26] 

Benson used a Muskegon housing construction site to criticize her Republican opponent John JAMES (R-Shelby Township) over tariffs she said are increasing the costs of steel, lumber and windows. It's slowing housing developments at a time when Michigan already faces a limited housing supply.

“It's not lost on me, the impact of tariffs, on developments like this: slowing down the process, increasing the cost of everything from steel to lumber to windows,” Benson said. She said as governor she would work to streamline development processes so housing projects can be built more quickly and help generate local economic growth.

[...]

Also, today Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis HERTEL opened a press conference alongside Senate Majority Leader Winnie BRINKS (D-Grand Rapids), Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor and Democratic congressional nominee Christina HINES. The lineup took turns targeting Republican opponents, pointing to their alignment with Trump policies that contribute to rising costs for Michigan families.

[...]

Brinks centered her remarks on James, citing economic ties with Canada, Michigan’s largest trading partner. Brinks criticized James for voting in favor of Canadian tariffs and remaining silent following recent escalations.

"John James had a choice," Brinks said. "He could have pushed back against Trump's reckless trade war and stood up for Michigan. Instead, he voted to support it. So let's call this what it is: it's the John James Tax, a tax on Michigan families' groceries and gas, a tax on our small businesses and manufacturers.”

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