Benson, James face off over affordability, tariffs in governor debate
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Rep. John James sparred Tuesday night in their first debate of the 2026 gubernatorial race, discussing tariffs, affordability and data centers.
The debate comes as Michiganders have already begun voting; absentee ballots began going out Sept. 24.
Both candidates declared the night a win for their respective parties.
“Michigan needs change,” said James, the Republican candidate. “I’m a combat veteran who understands what it takes to bring people together to accomplish tough and dangerous missions. I don’t care what political party you’re from. I will always serve you. I’m a business leader who understands what it takes to actually create jobs and actually grow our economy, and I recognize that economic development is not about brick and mortar, it’s about flesh and blood. It’s about you.”
Benson, who faced little opposition in the Democratic primary, also called the night a success.
“Jocelyn Benson came prepared with a vision for how we make Michigan more affordable and make government work for people again: bringing down healthcare costs, building more housing, lowering energy costs, making sure every kid has a real shot at success, and making sure a good job in Michigan can support a good life,” said Benson for Michigan Campaign Manager Nikki Goldschein. “That’s the choice in this race: Jocelyn Benson will work for you. John James will keep working for Trump.”
On Tuesday night, just 28 days before Election Day, the candidates sparred over their vision for the future of the Great Lakes state.
James called on both Canadian and U.S. officials to return to negotiations over tariffs.
“We must get back to the table, stop acting like children and negotiate a reciprocal, fair and mutually beneficial arrangement, to make sure that we can bring our jobs back and protect our industry,” the 45-year-old said.
James also called on the Trump administration to end the war in Iran, with Benson putting some of the blame on James.
“I also think we need to be clear how we got here,” she said. “It’s because of a reckless war in Iran that my opponent has voted six times to support, and that is directly to blame for the rising cost of gas and oil in this nation right now.”
They didn’t disagree on everything though, both backing the suspension of the federal gas tax to mitigate high energy prices.
James also outlined a plan to phase out the state income tax, while Benson leaned more on tax credits.
“Middle-class tax cuts are an important part of my agenda,” Benson said.
Both candidates acknowledged the cost of living concerns affecting Michiganders, while fighting off accusations from the other of personal profiting from new data center developments.
“Our costs are up,” James said. “Our wages are down. And Lansing is corrupt.”
Benson is polling ahead of James 49.4%-42.2%, according to the average of the five most-recent polls.
Prior to her election as secretary of state in 2018, Benson worked as an attorney and as dean of Wayne State University Law School.
In her role as Michigan’s chief elections official, Benson has been vocal in her opposition to the Trump administration.
Over the past year, she has received significant backlash from state Republicans over everything from election integrity concerns to her past involvement with the Southern Poverty Law Center following a federal indictment against the organization.
Benson’s top campaign issues are affordability, housing and healthcare.
James was first elected to the U.S. House in 2022 after two failed campaigns for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020 and a failed campaign for governor in 2022.
A veteran and businessman, James is running on a “Freedom Agenda.” His platform prioritizes ethics reform and transparency, ending fraud and waste, and passing a parents’ bill of rights.
James has been endorsed by second-term Republican President Donald Trump.
Analysts consider the race “likely Democrat,” while betting markets give Benson a 93% chance of winning.
The second gubernatorial debate is scheduled for Oct. 15 in Detroit.
Sunny
