Jocelyn Benson Vows to Fight “John James Tax” Hikes

James spent the day hiding out in Washington DC after voting to continue Trump’s war in Iran

Yesterday, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson traveled to events across metro Detroit to discuss rising costs, and share her plans to counteract the damage of the Trump-James price hiking agenda. 

The John James Tax hikes — driven by the James-backed tariffs on Canada — have made groceries unaffordable and cost Michiganders an additional $5,619 at a time when people are already drowning under the rising cost of everything. While Jocelyn spent the day discussing her plan to form subnational agreements with Canada and work with neighboring governors to lower costs, James spent the day hiding out in Washington after voting to continue Trump’s war in Iran — even as gas prices hit $5 per gallon. Jocelyn is the only candidate who will ensure families in Michigan can fill their gas tank, put food on the table, and afford to get by.

In case you missed it…

MIRS: "(It's) less than seven weeks until this election is over, until the polls close on Nov. 3, and I'm here talking with residents about what we actually need to reduce costs," Benson said to the press this afternoon. "We see the $5,600 tax on households – the 'John James tax' – it's a result of these Canadian tariffs." 

She said that as she walked around Ferndale Foods, she saw that the prices of meat, lettuce and paper towels had increased.

"Those are real costs that people here in communities are bearing, and it's the real consequence of failed leadership and failed economic policies at the federal level," Benson said. "And it is all the more important why we need a governor who knows how to take on the federal government and ensure we're using every tool in the toolbox to protect our residents and drive down costs."

The Detroit News: Sitting on stage with moderator Jason Colthorp, Benson, Michigan's current secretary of state from Detroit, indicated she would potentially work around Trump, instead of through him, vowing to seek subnational agreements with Canada if she's elected this fall.

"Michigan's economic interests come first and are pivotal in this moment," Benson said. "I already began having conversations with folks in Canada about how we can carve out a subnational agreement to protect our jobs, protect our costs and, if this escalates further, protect our electricity."

Michigan needs a governor who will challenge Trump and his economic policies that are having a particularly negative effect on the state, Benson argued.

Michigan Advance: Benson, however, criticized James’ absence at an event held later in the afternoon at a grocery store in Ferndale. Benson told reporters that “it’s not lost on me the day when I choose to be here in Michigan, talking not just to the Detroit Economic Club but to residents here, that my opponent chooses Trump, chooses to go to D.C. chooses to vote for a war that is driving up these costs, and that is the choice in this race.”

Michigan Public: In Michigan, one of the key drivers for rising prices is the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and Canada sparked by tariffs levied by the Trump administration.

If elected, Benson plans to bypass the federal government.

“I will negotiate subnational agreements with Canada,” Benson said. “I'll partner with other governors from neighboring states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, who perhaps have similar need.”

She said the two countries should have a “shared economic vision.”

Detroit Free Press: Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee, kicked off the forum by saying that the state needs a governor who can stand up to President Donald Trump and "his bad economic policies" in response to a question about tariffs. Benson has pointed to her tenure as Michigan's chief elections officer pushing back against Trump's elections interference efforts as evidence she can challenge him on other issues.

"Michigan is at a precipice," Benson said in her closing remarks. "The central pillars of our campaign are costs down, wages up, and protecting our communities."

Click On Detroit: Benson said tariffs have cost Michigan households about $5,600.

“You need a governor who’s going to be willing to challenge the president of the United States and his bad economic policies,” Benson said.

According to a report from the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, Michigan households have incurred an estimated $5,619 in tariff costs imposed through presidential executive action, mostly on cars and trucks, since January 2025.

###