MICHIGAN CHRONICLE: Jocelyn Benson Is the Clear Choice for Governor of Michigan

Today, Michigan Chronicle, the state’s largest Black newspaper, endorsed Secretary of State and Democratic nominee for Governor Jocelyn Benson to be the next governor. Citing her proven record as an effective administrator, her life-long dedication to protecting civil rights, and her drive to secure economic prosperity for all Michiganders, they named her the “clear choice” in this race.

As Secretary of State, Jocelyn stood up to anyone — no matter how wealthy or powerful — who threatened the rights and safety of Michiganders and fixed broken systems costing people time and money. That’s exactly what she’ll do as governor. 

According to the Chronicle, Jocelyn “brings … concrete policy proposals to lower household costs, and a steadfast commitment to government transparency,” and is the only candidate in this race with a plan to tackle the Black maternal health crisis, build generational wealth, and ensure every kid has access to a quality education that prepares them to take on the world. Meanwhile, John James has spent his time in Congress voting repeatedly to raise costs and hurt Michiganders. As Michigan Chronicle made clear, “John James’s underlying policy framework … disproportionately harm[s] Black and low-income families.” 

Key point: “Benson brings a proven track record of administrative transformation, concrete policy proposals to lower household costs, and a steadfast commitment to government transparency. More importantly, she understands that for Black Michiganders, effective governance is a matter of survival, wealth-building, and unyielding civil rights defense, whereas James hasn’t demonstrated that in his voting record throughout his time in Washington.”

In case you missed it…

Michigan Chronicle: Endorsement: Jocelyn Benson Is the Clear Choice for Governor of Michigan

[Editorial Board, 10/15/26]

Benson brings a proven track record of administrative transformation, concrete policy proposals to lower household costs, and a steadfast commitment to government transparency. More importantly, she understands that for Black Michiganders, effective governance is a matter of survival, wealth-building, and unyielding civil rights defense, whereas James hasn’t demonstrated that in his voting record throughout his time in Washington.

Governance, Benson said in her interview with the Michigan Chronicle, is not just about passing laws; it is about making government work efficiently for everyday people. When Benson assumed office as Secretary of State, the department was infamous for multi-hour wait times and systemic inefficiencies. Over her eight years, she transformed a notoriously broken agency into a customer-centric operation, noting that she was able to “take something that seemed unfixable and fix it” and see government as something that can “show up for you”.

This distinction between policymaking and execution is critical for working-class residents and Black families who interact with state agencies daily. Whether navigating state health benefits or renewing a driver’s license, bureaucratic friction disproportionately harms those with the fewest resources to spare. Benson has shown her ability to fix broken state systems, and it provides confidence that she can reform complex agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

She’s also pledged to voluntarily subject the Governor’s office to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), issue executive orders mandating agency compliance, and push for comprehensive sunshine laws.

[...]

Black Michiganders can’t afford abstract political promises. We require targeted structural interventions. Benson’s agenda speaks directly to the specific, systemic disparities that Black families face in this state:

· Treating Black Maternal Health as a Crisis: The disproportionately high rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Black women in Michigan is an ongoing tragedy. Benson has stated she will prioritize and address this crisis with urgency. Her plan includes expanding Medicaid-covered doula and midwife services, requiring bias training for maternal health providers, and improving access to culturally competent healthcare.

· Expanding Generational Wealth and Homeownership: Benson has connected economic opportunity and homeownership to the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. To help Black families build financial security, she has proposed expanded tax credits to assist first-time homebuyers with down payments and efforts to lower housing costs.

· Empowering Black-Owned Businesses: Recognizing Black-owned businesses as a priority, Benson has committed to removing barriers to entrepreneurship and increasing access to capital and state contracts. She proposed directing more state economic development resources toward local entrepreneurs instead of large, out-of-state companies.

· Equitable Public School Funding: Recognizing that the current system fails urban districts, Benson has pledged to replace Michigan’s one-size-fits-all school funding approach with a weighted, needs-based system. This will direct additional resources toward low-income students and English learners in communities like Saginaw and Benton Harbor.

· Strengthening Voting Rights: Benson has committed to passing a Michigan Voting Rights Act to establish stronger state-level protections against voter suppression and racial discrimination.

· A Seat at the Table: Benson pledged that Black Michiganders would have a continued voice in her administration, calling on Black community leaders and residents to help shape her priorities and hold her accountable. She’s already championed this through the formation on a Black Women’s Coalition based in Detroit.

[...]

[John James’] legislative record and proposed state policies run counter to the best interests of Black, low-income, and working-class Michiganders:

1. Corporate Interests over Local Control: During his time in Congress, James voted four times to block local municipalities from placing regulations or guardrails on data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructure, while personally purchasing stock in data center companies. In contrast, Benson’s proposed data center moratorium prioritizes neighborhood air quality and water preservation.

2. Siphoning Resources from Public Schools: James champions “Education Freedom” tax credit vouchers. These voucher schemes historically siphon critical funding out of urban public school districts – where the vast majority of Black children are educated – and direct public dollars toward private institutions that lack public oversight.

3. Safety Nets and Work Requirements: James confirmed his support for imposing strict work requirements on Medicaid and SNAP recipients. Strict administrative hurdles routinely disenroll working poor families and caregivers due to paperwork red tape, deepening poverty rather than encouraging work.

4. Tariff Policies: James has consistently supported broad federal tariff strategies that spike raw material costs and consumer prices, threatening Michigan supply chains and auto jobs.

[...]

Moving our state forward requires leadership that combines operational skill and the desire to look out for the most vulnerable by meeting them where they are. John James’s underlying policy framework relies on trickle-down economics, public school deregulation, and safety-net reductions that disproportionately harm Black and low-income families.

Jocelyn Benson has proven how she can take complex, neglected public systems and make them work. Moreover, she offers a specific, structural blueprint designed to protect Black lives, build generational Black wealth, and combat systemic inequities. For these reasons, the Michigan Chronicle proudly endorses Jocelyn Benson for Governor of Michigan.

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