TRANSCRIPT: Jocelyn Benson Delivers Victory Speech After Winning Democratic Nomination for Michigan Governor 

“The bottom line for me is this: Michigan deserves a governor who answers to the people, not corporations, not the DeVos family, and not Donald Trump.”

Today, Secretary of State and gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson delivered her victory speech after officially becoming the Democratic Nominee to be the next Governor of Michigan. In her speech, Jocelyn outlined her plan to build a more affordable Michigan and laid out the stakes of the general elections: who do Michiganders want their next governor working for? The people, or the highest bidder. 

Read Jocelyn Benson’s full remarks as prepared below: 

Good evening, Michigan!

I am so thrilled to stand before you as the Democratic Party’s nominee to be the next governor of Michigan.

Thank you. Thank you for being a part of this moment. For being a part of our team.  And thank you for placing your trust in me to work for you to transform our state.

Tonight the general election begins. 

Tonight marks our opportunity to grow our coalition to include citizens in every corner of our state who believe, as we do, that the power of the people must always be greater than the people in power. 

My life’s work is about making that promise, that hope, a reality.  

I carry that hope with me every day as the daughter of public school teachers, the wife of a combat veteran, and as the mom of a ten-year-old little boy whose future will be shaped by what we do now, together.

Because that is the question facing voters this fall, my friends.  Who do you want Michigan’s leaders to work for? The people? Or the powerful? 

Well you all know who I’ll work for – All of you, and every Michigander in this state.   Not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump - YOU.

Let’s build a government whose leaders work for the people. 

A government that saves us time, saves us money, and makes our life easier. 

A government led by a TRIFECTA of state leaders who are committed to making Michigan a place where anyone can afford to live and thrive. Where childcare is affordable for all. Where homes are easily built so that teachers and nurses and farmers can afford to live in the communities where they work. Where every Michigander has access to quality healthcare and water that is safe to drink and air that is clean to breathe and a public education system that prepares our children for the jobs of the future.

As the next governor of Michigan I will work to drive down costs while expanding our economy. And yes, I will work with anyone to get that done.  But I will also be ready to stand up to anyone – no matter how wealthy or powerful - who gets in our way.  

I’ve done that as secretary of state. 

And I’m ready to do it as governor.

I love this state. And I know when I talk to the single mom in Muskegon who has to decide whether to eat or pay rent, or when I sit down with seniors in Warren who are anxious about paying for medicine on a fixed income, I know we must do right by them. 

Just the other day I sat down with a new mom and dad here in Detroit and held their newborn little girl in my arms.  I listened as they talked to me about how they don’t want their child to grow up in poverty. 

As a mom, I can’t stop thinking about that conversation, about how every decision we make now will shape the world their little girl, my little boy - and all of our children - grow up in.

And in the eyes of that little girl’s mom and dad I saw two people who simply wanted what every parent wants: a chance for their child to grow up healthy, happy, and safe. To live in a state where she can get a world-class public education, afford to see a doctor when she needs one, get reproductive care because it’s her right, build a career she loves and live in a home she can afford - and not have to work 5 jobs in order to do it all. 

 It is our job to deliver that for her, and for every person in this state. 

That’s what it means to have leaders – a governor – who works for the people. 

I will work for the veteran who deserves access to the health care they earned. The teachers who dedicate their lives to preparing our children for the future who deserve better pay and more respect. The children whose futures depend on the work we do today.

Our campaign is ultimately about them – and you. Costs down. Wages Up. Rights protected. End Corruption. And build a government that works for us all.

And you all know – I will work with anyone and everyone to get that done. But I am also unafraid to stand up to anyone - no matter how wealthy or powerful - who gets in our way. 

This moment demands leaders who will stand up to bullies.  And boy, do I know how to do that. Like when Donald Trump tried to pressure me into turning over your private voting information, I said: no and I’ll see you in court. And I won.  

And I want you to know even if it means sheltering in my home protecting my son while people with guns protest on my front lawn - I’m not afraid to stand up to anyone, anytime, anywhere who would try to take away your rights and freedoms. 

That, again, will be the choice facing Michigan’s voters this fall: who does your governor work for, what does she stand for, and who does she fight for?

The Republicans have already shown us their vision for Michigan.  

It's a vision that would raise health care costs instead of lowering them.

A vision that stood by while housing costs climbed instead of fighting to bring them down.

And a Party whose leaders stood with Donald Trump when he tried to overturn a free and fair election instead of standing with the people of Michigan.

That's not the future Michigan wants. And together, we're going to reject it this November.

Because the bottom line for me is this: Michigan deserves a governor who answers to the people, not corporations, not the DeVos family, and not Donald Trump. 

My friends, Michiganders voted in this primary – which is on track to be one of the highest turnout primary elections in state history – because they are asking us to fight for them. To stand up for them. To fix what is broken – for them. 

I am committed, as the next Governor of Michigan, to making sure we meet this moment.

But I cannot do it alone. I need your help to get this done. Knock those doors. Make those calls. Talk to your neighbors. Leave here tonight ready to remind people what is at stake and what is possible when we come together.

Let’s take tonight’s landslide victory and deliver another one this fall. 

So my friends – I’m going to ask you tonight as we show the nation who we are, what we stand for, and who we are fighting for – are you ready to work for democracy? 

Are you ready to fight for democracy?

Are you ready to vote for democracy?

Let’s get it done.  

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