Detroit — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson won the primary race to become the Democratic nominee for governor Tuesday, meaning she will lead her party’s ticket this fall and its attempt to hold on to Michigan’s top political office for four more years.
In the first results from the primary, Benson, a former law school dean who’s served as Michigan’s chief election official, had about 85% of the vote, while Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson had about 14%. Hundreds of thousands of additional ballots were still to be counted.
Close to 200 Benson supporters gathered under purple lights at the Garden Theater in Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood to watch election results roll in Tuesday, including Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a former U.S. Senate hopeful.
“Tonight, the general election begins,” Benson told the crowd. “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.”
A crowd dressed in suits, cocktail dresses and business casual let out a few whoops of excitement and moved toward the Garden Theater stage around 9 p.m. after the Associated Press declared Benson the winner of the Democratic primary, anticipating a victory speech soon. Several waved sparkling silver pom-poms above their heads and bounced to the rhythm of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
Benson, who has won two statewide elections in 2022 and 2018, was widely expected to prevail in the primary, and her campaign began unveiling some of their plans for the fall race earlier in the day.
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel said Benson had improved the operations of the secretary of state’s offices and stood up to Republican President Donald Trump as he challenged the results of the 2020 election.
“As our next governor, Jocelyn will work to lower health care, utility and housing costs to build an affordable future where everyone can stay and thrive in Michigan,” Hertel vowed.
In a Tuesday message to reporters, Benson spokeswoman Alyssa Bradley said the campaign had reserved $10 million in advertising for September and October, comparing the Democratic situation with the competitive fight between U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson on the Republican side.
“While Republicans have spent millions of dollars over the summer attacking each other in a toxic primary and competing for Donald Trump’s endorsement, Jocelyn has stayed focused on the people of Michigan,” Bradley said.
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, D-Royal Oak, spoke at Benson’s election night watch party in Detroit Tuesday night.
“We literally cannot afford a governor who works harder for Donald Trump than they do for Michiganders,” McMorrow said. “But tonight, Michigan, we are one step closer to electing a battle-tested, kind-hearted public servant, Jocelyn Benson, as our next governor.”
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield also extolled Benson’s election oversight credentials in a vague reference to President Donald Trump’s challenge to the 2020 election results.
“She helped make Michigan a national leader in fair and secure elections,” Sheffield said. “She defended the integrity of our democracy when it was tested, and she proved that government can work better when people are first.”
She lauded Benson’s 40-plus marathon record, citing it as a demonstration of Benson’s perseverance.
“The marathon continues, but this time we are all running alongside her,” Sheffield said.
In the primary, Benson garnered key endorsements, including from the United Auto Workers union, but didn’t begin airing TV ads to promote her bid.
Still, Democrats at multiple polling places across Michigan touted Benson as their choice both for the primary and the general election. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can’t run again this year because of term limits.
“I’ve always wanted her to become the governor after Gretchen,” said Eva Tross, a 64-year-old from Lansing who returned her absentee ballot to a drop-box on Tuesday. “They’ve worked a lot together, and they accomplished a lot. I feel that Gretchen did a lot of stuff, like for the roads. … Everywhere you go you see a cone.
“I just really thought they worked well together, and (Benson) is more into what we need.”
In Detroit on Tuesday, Mack Willis, 24, of Inkster, campaigned for a Democratic congressional candidate but said he was hoping Benson won the governor’s race.
“I like the truthfulness in all of her words,” Willis said. “And she comes out and touches the people. I’ve seen Ms. Benson out personally a couple of times.”
Benson, 48, of Detroit announced her campaign for the state’s top office in January 2025, saying she wanted to put transparency and efficiency at the forefront.
Benson is a graduate of Harvard Law School and served as the dean of Wayne State University Law School in Detroit.
Swanson, the 53-year-old Genesee County sheriff from Fenton, launched his own bid for governor in February 2025. He gained the endorsement from a series of labor organizations but has struggled to compete with Benson’s fundraising and statewide recognition.
“I want to lead and help people and inspire an entire generation in the state of Michigan. That’s what I want to do,” Swanson said last year.
Cathy Pomaville, who voted at St. James Catholic Church in Novi, said she wanted elected officials to focus more on domestic issues than international conflicts and cast her ballot for Swanson. “Ultimately, what I care about is how people are lining their pocketbooks, and I think that dictates politics,” Pomaville said. “I think that’s something we need to get away from, whether directly or indirectly. I was really torn, but I ultimately went with Swanson.”
cmauger@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Jocelyn Benson wins Michigan Democratic governor primary
Reporting by Craig Mauger and Summer Ballentine, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Craig Mauger and Summer Ballentine, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
