LISTEN: Jocelyn Benson Outlines the Stakes of the 2026 Election as Ballots Go Out in Michigan
As absentee ballots go out in Michigan, Jocelyn Benson joined The Electorette to discuss the major challenges facing Michiganders — ranging from sky high costs to threats to their rights and freedoms. Jocelyn shared how she has fought to protect voters as Secretary of State, and how she will continue that work as Governor during this critical moment for democracy.
Key point: “I’m the candidate for governor who's actually trying to work for the people of Michigan, and November is an opportunity for us to elect leaders in states across the country who will put people first. Not partisan agendas, not Trump's agenda, not lobbyists’ agenda, not the agenda of the highest bidder, but the agenda of the people front and center, so that we can truly reduce costs, grow our economy, and protect everyone.”
In case you missed it…
Jennifer Taylor-Skinner: [...] So, how do you increase incomes and spur job growth, and just economic growth generally, with all the uncertainty that's coming from outside factors?
Jocelyn Benson: I think tackling the affordability crisis requires us to streamline how government works to reduce costs, healthcare, housing, electricity costs, childcare, but then address the fact that here in Michigan, and many other places, wages are stagnant. So we have to invest in economic growth as well. That means, among other things, making it easier to start and grow a small business.
[...]
Jennifer Taylor-Skinner: [...] What can happen at the executive level to protect voters in Michigan?
Jocelyn Benson: I've seen this as Secretary of State, where I currently serve as the chief election officer, chief democracy officer. There's so much you can do proactively to ensure Michigan's elections, and every election, is safe and secure. Fundamentally, especially in this moment, you need state election officials and state leaders at large, like governors, who will be unafraid to stand up to the Trump administration, or anyone, no matter how wealthy or powerful, who are trying to take away or silence the voices and votes of Michigan citizens. That's what, unfortunately, the job of defending democracy requires us to do right now.
[...]
I’m the candidate for governor who's actually trying to work for the people of Michigan, and November is an opportunity for us to elect leaders in states across the country who will put people first. Not partisan agendas, not Trump's agenda, not lobbyists’ agenda, not the agenda of the highest bidder, but the agenda of the people front and center, so that we can truly reduce costs, grow our economy, and protect everyone.
[...]
Jennifer Taylor-Skinner: [...] So, if you're elected, if you win this election, what do you hope Michigan looks like at the end of your tenure?
Jocelyn Benson: You know, I'm a mom, as I mentioned earlier, and my kid just turned 10. In eight years, he's going to be deciding, does he make Michigan his home, or does he leave to go elsewhere? And so, for me, part of my metric of success, after what I hope can be four years, or eight years in office as governor, is, does my kid choose Michigan as his home? Is Michigan—have we made Michigan—the best place in the nation to call home? Is it a place where you want to raise your family, and be a kid, and raise a kid, and retire, and build your career? That's what I'm trying to build here. A state where our public education system is second to none. A state where, if you want to start a business, you can. And then, when you do that, you can afford to buy a home in the community you want to live in, and afford to keep that home. And then ensure, if you go into higher education, you can afford to go to world-class universities right here in Michigan. We have all the assets in our state to make that happen, to be the best place in the nation to call home.
[...]
###