{"id":2393630,"date":"2025-01-22T09:25:01","date_gmt":"2025-01-22T14:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-announces-gubernatorial-bid\/"},"modified":"2025-01-22T09:25:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T14:25:55","slug":"michigan-secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-announces-gubernatorial-bid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/michigan-secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-announces-gubernatorial-bid\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces gubernatorial bid"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmichigan-secretary-of-state-jocelyn-benson-announces-gubernatorial-bid%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2393630&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Michigan\u2064 Secretary\u200d of State Jocelyn Benson \u2064has officially announced her candidacy for teh 2026 gubernatorial election, making her\u2063 the first Democrat to enter the race to succeed the term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer. This announcement marks a\u200c significant step in her political career \u200bas she aims \u2064to take \u200cover\u200d the leadership of the state.Jocelyn Benson&#8217;s announcement\u200d to \u2062run \u200bfor governor showcases her\u200b ambition and commitment to \u2063Michigan&#8217;s future. \u200cAs the first Democrat\u2062 to enter the race, she will likely leverage\u2063 her \u2063experience as Secretary\u2064 of State to attract \u200bvoters. Benson has \u200dfocused on \u2064voting rights, election security, and accessibility in\u200d her current role,\u2063 which may\u200c resonate with the electorate\u2064 as she\u200c campaigns for the governorship.\u2062 With Governor Gretchen Whitmer termed out, the race will likely\u200d be competitive, with Benson needing to position herself effectively against potential challengers, both within\u2062 and outside her\u2062 party. Her candidacy also reflects a broader trend of increased political mobilization among \u200bDemocrats in \u2063states where leadership is transitioning. As the campaign unfolds, it\u200d will \u2064be interesting to see how she articulates her vision for Michigan and addresses key issues facing the state.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces 2026 gubernatorial bid<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1942980\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/michigan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Michigan\">Michigan<\/a> Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson became the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for governor in 2026 to succeed term-limited Gov. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gretchen-whitmer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Gretchen Whitmer\">Gretchen Whitmer<\/a> (D-MI).<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Benson announced her bid Wednesday morning, after <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/jonathanoosting\/status\/1881880001026691485\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"posting\">posting<\/a> the announcement Tuesday evening and quickly removing it. In her launch video, Benson highlighted her career, including her tenure as secretary of state, during which she oversaw the 2020 election.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I&rsquo;m running to be Governor of Michigan to ensure everyone gets a fair shot.<\/p>\n<p>I&#8217;m a mom, military spouse, educator &mdash; and Michigan&rsquo;s Secretary of State. <\/p>\n<p>I&rsquo;ve never backed down from a tough fight or hard work. And I know together we can build the future Michiganders deserve. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/v0EMMffwFX\">pic.twitter.com\/v0EMMffwFX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JocelynBenson\/status\/1882024319368237538?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I am running for Governor because our state needs a bold leader who will save all Michiganders time and money, deliver real results that improve everyone&rsquo;s lives, and protect our residents,&rdquo; Benson said in a statement announcing her campaign.&nbsp;&ldquo;And that&rsquo;s what I&rsquo;ve done my entire career.&rdquo; <\/p>\n<p>Benson was first elected secretary of state in 2018, winning 52.9%-44% over her Republican opponent, Mary Treder Lang. In 2022, she <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pelosi-on-her-heels-two-more-democrats-call-it-quits-ahead-of-2022-midterms\/\" title=\"Pelosi On Her Heels: Two More Democrats Call It Quits Ahead Of 2022 Midterms\">easily won reelection<\/a> to the statewide office, 55.9%-41.9%, over GOP challenger Kristina Karamo.<\/p>\n<p>She is the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for an office the party would like to maintain, after the state voted for President Donald Trump over former Vice President Kamala Harris, 49.7%-48.3%, in last year&rsquo;s presidential election. Other possible Democratic candidates for governor include former Transportation Secretary <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3256986\/pete-buttigieg-political-savior-michigan-democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Pete Buttigieg\">Pete Buttigieg<\/a> and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D-MI), but neither has confirmed if he will run.<\/p>\n<p>Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/3249642\/mike-duggan-leaves-democratic-party-run-michigan-governor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"announced\">announced<\/a> a run for governor last month, but the longtime Democrat said he would run as an independent instead of in the Democratic primary. In his announcement, he argued that &ldquo;the <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\">current system forces people<\/a> to choose sides, not find solutions.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So far, one Republican, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, has announced a bid for governor in the Great Lakes State.<\/p>\n<p>Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits, has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/who-is-judge-scott-mcafee-assigned-to-oversee-the-georgia-trump-indictment\/\" title=\"Judge Scott McAfee is overseeing the Georgia Trump indictment.\">incumbent governor handily won<\/a> both of her races for the office, despite her 2018 and 2022 wins being sandwiched between Trump&rsquo;s presidential victories in the state in 2016 and 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1942980\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1942980\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson declares her 2026 gubernatorial candidacy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2393631,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jocelyn-benson-governor-2026.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[40300,48990,4601],"class_list":["post-2393630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-gubernatorial-bid","tag-jocelyn-benson","tag-michigan"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/jocelyn-benson-governor-2026.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2393630"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2393634,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2393630\/revisions\/2393634"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2393631"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2393630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2393630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2393630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}