PRESS RELEASE
Jocelyn Benson, Winnie Brinks Crisscross Michigan, Drive Home Plan to Lower Costs on “Driving Down Costs” Bus Tour
Benson and Brinks are working to win back a Democratic trifecta in November
Yesterday, Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson wrapped up her statewide “Driving Down Costs” bus tour. Over four days, 19 cities, and 23 different events, the Benson-Brinks ticket met with small business owners, union workers, educators, and Michiganders across the state to share their plan to drive down costs, raise wages, and end corruption.
Benson and Brinks also rallied alongside downballot Democrats at each stop, working to turn out voters and win back the U.S. House and a state Democratic trifecta in November. Together, they outlined the stakes of this election: who do you want your leaders working for? Up and down the ballot, it’s clear Democrats are the only ones who will work for the people — not Donald Trump, not corporations, and not the DeVos family.
In case you missed it…
On the airwaves:
WLNS-TV — Lansing, MI: Now, be honest, would you spend the rest of this week riding on a bus across the state of Michigan to talk to citizens? Well, Democratic candidate for Governor Jocelyn Benson would. And she's doing just that, launching this bus tour from East Lansing with this battle cry: "Are you ready to vote for democracy? Are you ready to fight for democracy?"
WZZM-AM — Grand Rapids, MI: Democrat Jocelyn Benson kicked off her bus tour in Grand Rapids Thursday night…Benson and her running mate Winnie Brinks will be campaigning with other Michigan Democrats in the coming days, ahead of the November 3rd election: “About a million people have already voted in this general election, but there are still a lot of votes left to earn. And that's what we're doing. That's what this tour is about. Talking to everyone, leaving no stone unturned, making every phone call, having all the conversations.”
WOOD-TV — Grand Rapids, MI: Jocelyn Benson who’s running for governor on the Democratic ticket was canvassing in Kalamazoo today. She’s calling it her “Driving Down Costs” bus tour…Candidates spoke about wanting to bring down costs and also raise wages for Michiganders: “The heart of the choice facing voters this fall, the choice that you all are going to be on the doors, making calls, talking to people about is: who do you want the leaders of Michigan to work for? Well I work for the people — not Donald Trump, not the highest bidder — but all of you.”
WJRT-TV — Flint, MI: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson made a stop in Flint tonight on her “Driving Down Costs” bus tour. Benson spoke with voters at the North Flint Food Market discussing lowering costs for Michiganders and making our state more affordable all together. Benson was joined by a number of other Democratic candidates including Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet and her running mate Winnie Brinks. This was just one stop on their 19 city itinerary.
In print:
[Lily Guiney and Robin Bravender, 10/22/26]
Spirits were high on the campus of the Michigan Education Association when the bus carrying Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and her potential successor, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson, rolled into the parking lot Thursday morning.
[...]
“The tariffs, the reckless war in Iran, my opponent’s multiple votes to increase healthcare costs – all of it is combining to really create a stark contrast in this race between the candidate and a party that is responsible for driving up costs and the party and the leaders that have a plan to reduce them,” [Benson] said.
“I think it’s clear that people in Michigan are struggling, struggling to pay the bills, and they are connecting those struggles to the mess in Washington, D.C. – a mess that my opponent was a part of and is a part of and of course that Donald Trump represents.”
As Benson travels around the state, she said all she hears is “‘we need leaders who will drive down costs and increase wages and end corruption,’” and said she has “a plan to do all those things.”
“I also have results that every single resident of Michigan has lived through,” she said. “I transformed the secretary of state offices, improved our democracy, made it easier for them to renew their licenses.”
Benson said she has a “vision that meets the moment, along with a track record of getting things done” that appeals to voters fatigued by chaotic and dysfunctional government in Washington.
Benson stopped in Battle Creek alongside Brinks, Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, who’s running for the U.S. House; and former Rep. Jim Haadsma, D-Battle Creek, who’s hoping to win back his old seat in the 44th House District. It’s one of several battleground districts she’ll visit across 19 cities over four days where Democrats hope to flip or retain critical seats in the Legislature to recapture a governing trifecta.
“We are prepared for trifecta 2.0, but we've got a lot of work to do… Our job now is to make sure that we drive up voting participation from the top of the ballot all the way down to the bottom and back up again, and get every single Democrat and every single person who wants to vote for a Democrat, because we are we know there are lots of Republicans and independents out there who are dissatisfied with Trump and all of his cronies,” Brinks said at the East Lansing launch of the tour. “We need to get out there and talk to every single voter that we can in the next 12 days to make sure that they turn in those ballots, to make sure that they vote and make a plan … we will see people come out.”
Brinks said she “cannot wait to get to Nov. 4, when we get to start setting up the next administration and the next set of goals that will move our state forward” and emphasized that Benson is “exactly the person” to be at the helm.
[...]
With 12 days left on the campaign calendar, Benson said there’s nothing Democrats can take for granted, regardless of positive indicators in polling or the environment around the country.
“It all comes down to what we do over these next 12 days. Do not let one minute go by without doing everything you can, because when the clock strikes and 8 p.m. on election night hits, that's when we say we've done everything we can, and that's when we look at the score. But not a minute until then, not a moment until then.”
Michigan Daily: Jocelyn Benson’s campaign bus tour stops in Ann Arbor ahead of election day
[Dom Apap, 10/23/26]
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor, arrived at Zingerman’s Roadhouse as part of her four-day Driving Down Costs bus tour Thursday afternoon.
[...]
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Benson said the event presented an opportunity to engage with local businesses, many of which are facing financial challenges amid rising costs.
“I think small businesses are the heartbeat of our economy,” Benson said. “What’s exciting to me is to be able to connect with small business owners all across the state — many of whom have the same challenges and struggles, whether it’s paying for electricity or healthcare premiums or other things that are hurting Michigan families right now.”
Benson’s campaign heavily promotes affordability, specifically in housing, healthcare, childcare and electricity. James has also campaigned on lowering costs, limiting government corruption and improving the state’s educational system.
In an interview with The Daily, Dingell said she believes Republicans like James will not solve the affordability issue.
“We’ve already seen very serious cuts in health care, food assistance — things that help everyday working families,” Dingell said. “I’m very concerned that we make sure that people who need to go to the doctor can go to the doctor, that they’ve got access to health care. We have hungry children in this community. You have students on campus that are hungry.”
Ann Arbor has experienced both an uptick in homelessness and increased housing costs, leading the city government to invest in the creation of more housing. City Councilmember Travis Radina, D-Ward 3, told The Daily he believes Benson’s platform is aligned with many of his city-wide housing goals.
“One of the things that I’ve really appreciated, as a local official, seeing out of Jocelyn, is a real vision for housing reform at the state level and making sure that we’re building more housing, and that housing costs are more affordable, that renters are protected,” Radina said.
[...]
In addition to housing, Benson said she wants to lower the cost of electricity for Michiganders by investing in renewable energy.
James has campaigned against renewable energy, promising to repeal the state’s 100% renewable energy by 2040 mandate, claiming it is raising costs for customers.
MIRS: Benson's Bus Tour Spotlights Democrats In Battleground Seats
[10/23/26]
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn BENSON kicked off her four-day “Driving Down Costs” bus tour today, appearing to establish her position as head of the Democratic ticket while drawing in numerous candidate appearances from competitive districts statewide.
The campaign says the tour will visit 19 Michigan cities through Sunday, with Friday’s stops scheduled for Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, St. Johns and Flint.
[...]
Speaking outside the MEA headquarters, the Democratic leaders urged supporters to capitalize on early voting and spend the final 12 days knocking doors, making calls, and driving turnout.
“Our job now is to make sure that we drive up voting participation from the top of the ballot all the way down to the bottom and back up again,” Brinks said, outlining the ticket’s strategy to restore unified Democratic control in a “Trifecta 2.0.”
Education was featured prominently in the speeches, with Madafferi calling for higher compensation, better healthcare, retirement benefits, and continued student mental health support to address educator recruitment and retention. Madafferi said improving student outcomes requires “educators at the table.”
Benson called her 10-year-old son and his friend to stand beside her to highlight her message about future generations and reiterate her support for public school staff.
“I will fight for the teachers who deserve better pay and more respect,” Benson said.
[...]
“As governor, I will work with anyone to improve our economy and to fight for the rights and people of Michigan, and I welcome anyone who will work with me on that,” Benson said.
Mid-Michigan Now: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson visits Flint food market
[10/23/26]
With the election less than two weeks away, Democratic candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson made a campaign stop in Flint on Friday.
Benson visited the North Flint Food Market, where she appeared alongside her running mate for lieutenant governor, Winnie Brinks, and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet.
Benson said the Democratic ticket is focused on lowering electric bills, making housing more affordable and creating more jobs.
“We've got 11 days until the polls close and a campaign and a race is going to define the future of our state. And the fundamental choice facing voters this fall is who do you want your families to work for? We're going to work for the people of Genesee County and all throughout Michigan to drive down costs to increase wages,” Benson said.
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