DETROIT — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, the Democratic nominee for governor, positioned affordability and election security as central pillars of her campaign during a “Face the Nation” interview on September 6, 2026.
Benson pointed to a recent University of Michigan analysis revealing that 40% of the state’s residents struggle to cover basic necessities. She described hearing “heartbreaking stories” from constituents forced to choose between essential costs such as food, childcare, and medicine. Benson argued that her experience running state agencies, including reforms at the Department of Motor Vehicles that saved residents time and money, qualifies her to address these economic pressures as governor.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the trade dispute with Canada, which accounts for 36% of Michigan’s exports. With new Canadian tariffs on steel, aluminum, dairy, and appliances set to take effect, Benson stated that the measures have already increased costs for the average Michigan family by $5,600. She characterized her opponent’s support for the tariffs as “cowardice” and labeled them the “John James tax” due to his legislative votes in their favor.
Proposing an alternative to federal inaction, Benson announced her intention to pursue subnational agreements with Canadian officials to mitigate tariff impacts, particularly for the auto industry. She criticized Republican candidate John James for remaining silent on the issue despite campaigning against the tariffs.
Benson also addressed ongoing legal battles over voting procedures, noting a recent federal judge’s order blocking the Postal Service from enforcing new mail ballot rules issued via executive order by President Trump. She framed the dispute as part of a six-year effort to create chaos in American democracy. Emphasizing that states must control elections, Benson highlighted that Michigan processed 5.5 million votes in the 2024 election with high security and accessibility rankings.
When asked about recent allegations regarding non-citizen voting, Benson defended the state’s voter roll maintenance. She noted that while 22 cases were under review, only six individuals have been charged with election law violations, asserting that the system is working and accountability is being enforced. She contrasted her record of protecting voter rights with James’s refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election.
Good to see election security discussed with facts instead of fear. $5,600 added cost is huge for families.
Subnational trade deals sound creative, but do they actually have legal weight against federal tariff policy?