Jocelyn BensonJocelyn Benson

In the face of persistent threats to herself and her family, which even saw armed protestors shown up on her front lawn, Secretary Benson fought to ensure Michiganders are safe and secure as they cast their ballots and worked with the state legislature to pass a law to ban guns at polling locations.

AAPAC endorsed Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, to succeed Gov. Whitmer. In addition to her distinguished professional and political career, Benson maintains strong relationships with the Arab American community. She received AAPAC’s endorsement in her previous campaigns for secretary of state in 2018 and 2022, as well as in August’s Democratic gubernatorial primary. Siblani said the endorsement reflects AAPAC’s confidence in Benson’s experience and commitment to serving all Michigan communities, including Arab Americans.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running to be the next governor of Michigan. Benson earned a master’s degree in sociology as a Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She started her career investigating hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center and went on to make history as the youngest woman to lead an accredited law school when she became the dean of Wayne State Law School at 35.

Benson was elected to the position of Michigan Secretary of State in 2018 and has transformed the office of Secretary of State during her tenure. Under her leadership the SOS has greatly expanded online services, cut wait times to 20 minutes or less, and created over 150 self-service stations at local branches and grocery stores. What used to be one of the most dreaded tasks is now streamlined and efficient. Also during Benson's tenure she has worked hard to secure Michigan elections and expand voter access.

Benson’s campaign lists eight main priorities: affordability, housing, healthcare, childcare, energy costs, education, environment and data centers. On healthcare specifically, she has outlined a policy vision centered on access, affordability, and fairness, including a new caregiver tax credit, help with insurance disputes, and a prescription drug affordability board to control medicine costs. On housing, she's emphasized holding out-of-state landlords and corporate buyers accountable for driving up rent as a way to bring down housing costs. She has also continued to stress protecting abortion rights and voting rights, issues that have been central to her tenure as secretary of state. Since winning the Democratic primary in early August, Benson has framed the general election around whether state government works for everyday residents or powerful political and corporate interests, pledging to work across the aisle while promising to challenge those who stand in her way.

Benson’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor is State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Under Brinks’s leadership, the Michigan Senate passed historic legislation to invest in education and infrastructure; protect and expand the rights of voters, workers, women, and LGBTQ+ Michiganders; and repealed harmful Republican laws that taxed retirement and made Michigan a “right-to-work” state. Brinks served in the Michigan House for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. Prior to her House service, she worked for a nonprofit organization in Grand Rapids focusing on economic development.

Benson has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Benson’s opponent in this race is Republican John James who currently serves as US Representative in the 10th congressional district. James has been a very vocal ally of President Donald Trump and he has worked to advance Trump’s agenda. He voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which stripped many Michiganders of Medicaid and SNAP benefits. His running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, espouses right-wing views on many issues and has developed a conservative voting record in the legislature.

Jocelyn Benson is the most progressive choice in this race.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running to be the next governor of Michigan. Benson earned a master’s degree in sociology as a Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She started her career investigating hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center and went on to make history as the youngest woman to lead an accredited law school when she became the dean of Wayne State Law School at 35.

Benson was elected to the position of Michigan Secretary of State in 2018 and has transformed the office of Secretary of State during her tenure. Under her leadership the SOS has greatly expanded online services, cut wait times to 20 minutes or less, and created over 150 self-service stations at local branches and grocery stores. What used to be one of the most dreaded tasks is now streamlined and efficient. Also during Benson's tenure she has worked hard to secure Michigan elections and expand voter access.

Benson’s campaign lists eight main priorities: affordability, housing, healthcare, childcare, energy costs, education, environment and data centers. On healthcare specifically, she has outlined a policy vision centered on access, affordability, and fairness, including a new caregiver tax credit, help with insurance disputes, and a prescription drug affordability board to control medicine costs. On housing, she's emphasized holding out-of-state landlords and corporate buyers accountable for driving up rent as a way to bring down housing costs. She has also continued to stress protecting abortion rights and voting rights, issues that have been central to her tenure as secretary of state. Since winning the Democratic primary in early August, Benson has framed the general election around whether state government works for everyday residents or powerful political and corporate interests, pledging to work across the aisle while promising to challenge those who stand in her way.

Benson’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor is State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Under Brinks’s leadership, the Michigan Senate passed historic legislation to invest in education and infrastructure; protect and expand the rights of voters, workers, women, and LGBTQ+ Michiganders; and repealed harmful Republican laws that taxed retirement and made Michigan a “right-to-work” state. Brinks served in the Michigan House for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. Prior to her House service, she worked for a nonprofit organization in Grand Rapids focusing on economic development.

Benson has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Benson’s opponent in this race is Republican John James who currently serves as US Representative in the 10th congressional district. James has been a very vocal ally of President Donald Trump and he has worked to advance Trump’s agenda. He voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which stripped many Michiganders of Medicaid and SNAP benefits. His running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, espouses right-wing views on many issues and has developed a conservative voting record in the legislature.

Jocelyn Benson is the most progressive choice in this race.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running to be the next governor of Michigan. Benson earned a master’s degree in sociology as a Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She started her career investigating hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center and went on to make history as the youngest woman to lead an accredited law school when she became the dean of Wayne State Law School at 35.

Benson was elected to the position of Michigan Secretary of State in 2018 and has transformed the office of Secretary of State during her tenure. Under her leadership the SOS has greatly expanded online services, cut wait times to 20 minutes or less, and created over 150 self-service stations at local branches and grocery stores. What used to be one of the most dreaded tasks is now streamlined and efficient. Also during Benson's tenure she has worked hard to secure Michigan elections and expand voter access.

Benson’s campaign lists eight main priorities: affordability, housing, healthcare, childcare, energy costs, education, environment and data centers. On healthcare specifically, she has outlined a policy vision centered on access, affordability, and fairness, including a new caregiver tax credit, help with insurance disputes, and a prescription drug affordability board to control medicine costs. On housing, she's emphasized holding out-of-state landlords and corporate buyers accountable for driving up rent as a way to bring down housing costs. She has also continued to stress protecting abortion rights and voting rights, issues that have been central to her tenure as secretary of state. Since winning the Democratic primary in early August, Benson has framed the general election around whether state government works for everyday residents or powerful political and corporate interests, pledging to work across the aisle while promising to challenge those who stand in her way.

Benson’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor is State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Under Brinks’s leadership, the Michigan Senate passed historic legislation to invest in education and infrastructure; protect and expand the rights of voters, workers, women, and LGBTQ+ Michiganders; and repealed harmful Republican laws that taxed retirement and made Michigan a “right-to-work” state. Brinks served in the Michigan House for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. Prior to her House service, she worked for a nonprofit organization in Grand Rapids focusing on economic development.

Benson has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Benson’s opponent in this race is Republican John James who currently serves as US Representative in the 10th congressional district. James has been a very vocal ally of President Donald Trump and he has worked to advance Trump’s agenda. He voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which stripped many Michiganders of Medicaid and SNAP benefits. His running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, espouses right-wing views on many issues and has developed a conservative voting record in the legislature.

Jocelyn Benson is the most progressive choice in this race.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running to be the next governor of Michigan. Benson earned a master’s degree in sociology as a Marshall Scholar at Magdalen College, Oxford, and received her Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School. She started her career investigating hate groups for the Southern Poverty Law Center and went on to make history as the youngest woman to lead an accredited law school when she became the dean of Wayne State Law School at 35.

Benson was elected to the position of Michigan Secretary of State in 2018 and has transformed the office of Secretary of State during her tenure. Under her leadership the SOS has greatly expanded online services, cut wait times to 20 minutes or less, and created over 150 self-service stations at local branches and grocery stores. What used to be one of the most dreaded tasks is now streamlined and efficient. Also during Benson's tenure she has worked hard to secure Michigan elections and expand voter access.

Benson’s campaign lists eight main priorities: affordability, housing, healthcare, childcare, energy costs, education, environment and data centers. On healthcare specifically, she has outlined a policy vision centered on access, affordability, and fairness, including a new caregiver tax credit, help with insurance disputes, and a prescription drug affordability board to control medicine costs. On housing, she's emphasized holding out-of-state landlords and corporate buyers accountable for driving up rent as a way to bring down housing costs. She has also continued to stress protecting abortion rights and voting rights, issues that have been central to her tenure as secretary of state. Since winning the Democratic primary in early August, Benson has framed the general election around whether state government works for everyday residents or powerful political and corporate interests, pledging to work across the aisle while promising to challenge those who stand in her way.

Benson’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor is State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Under Brinks’s leadership, the Michigan Senate passed historic legislation to invest in education and infrastructure; protect and expand the rights of voters, workers, women, and LGBTQ+ Michiganders; and repealed harmful Republican laws that taxed retirement and made Michigan a “right-to-work” state. Brinks served in the Michigan House for six years before being elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. Prior to her House service, she worked for a nonprofit organization in Grand Rapids focusing on economic development.

Benson has been endorsed by the following progressive partner organizations: American Federation of Teachers - Michigan, Michigan Education Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan United Action, Michigan Association for Justice, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, and Service Employees International Union - Michigan.

Benson’s opponent in this race is Republican John James who currently serves as US Representative in the 10th congressional district. James has been a very vocal ally of President Donald Trump and he has worked to advance Trump’s agenda. He voted in favor of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which stripped many Michiganders of Medicaid and SNAP benefits. His running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, espouses right-wing views on many issues and has developed a conservative voting record in the legislature.

Jocelyn Benson is the most progressive choice in this race.

In statewide races, we’re supporting Jocelyn Benson for Governor, Winnie Brinks for Lieutenant Governor, Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State, and Eli Savit for Attorney General. Each will continue fighting for working families and build on the progress we’ve made over the last few years.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited, leaving an open seat in a state Trump carried by just 1.4 points in 2024.

Michigan is a must-win presidential state and hosts one of the most competitive Senate races of the cycle. With the governorship open and the legislature divided, holding this seat is critical to maintaining a check on redistricting and election administration in a state where both parties are fighting for every advantage heading into 2028.

MI Poder, an organization dedicated to expanding Latino/Latina political power in Michigan, issued the following endorsements: Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate; Jocleyn Benson for governor; Eli Savit for attorney general; Garlin Gilchrist for secretary of state; Sean McCann for 4th Congressional District representative; Christian Vukasovich for 5th Congressional District representative; Debbie Dingell for 6th Congressional representative; Will Lawrence for 7th Congressional District representative; Rashida Tlaib for 12th Congressional District representative; Donavan McKinney for 13th Congressional District representative; and Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood for the open Supreme Court justice seats.