Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson launches governor's bid

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced she is running for governor on Wednesday, becoming the first major Democratic candidate to jump into the race.

“I’m running for governor to truly make government truly work for everyone,” Benson said in an announcement video narrating her personal and professional background.

“But as I listen to people around our state, it’s clear that too many feel left out in the cold, their voices drowned out by more powerful ones,” she says in the video, showing clips of President Trump and Elon Musk.

In the video, Benson also addresses her efforts to defend the 2020 election results in Michigan after Trump allies falsely accused her and other Democrats of allowing fraud to take place.

Benson is the third major candidate to jump into the race to replace Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D), who is term-limited. She joins state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R) and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent.

A number of other Democrats have also been floated for the position, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and state Sen. Mallory McMorrow.

On the Republican side, Tudor Dixon, Rep. John James (Mich.), former Michigan state House Speaker Tom Leonard and former presidential candidate Perry Johnson have been floated as potential candidates.

Benson was one of a number of Michigan Democrats who saw widespread victories in the 2022 midterms, winning reelection by nearly 14 points.

But Republicans say they see an opening in the state, which Trump narrowly flipped in November. Nesbitt’s campaign said it raised $1 million within 72 hours of launching his bid for governor last week.

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson launches a bid for governor

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