Michigan’s top election official wins Democratic primary for governor, advances to battleground race

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Tuesday captured the Democratic nomination of governor in the crucial Great Lakes battleground state, in the race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Benson defeated Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, the Associated Press reports.

Michigan's top election official for the past eight years will now work to keep the governor's office in Democratic Party hands as Republicans aim to flip the seat. Benson will face off in the general election with either Rep. John James or multi-millionaire businessman Perry Johnson, who are facing off for the GOP nomination.

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A former Wayne State University Law School dean, Benson won election as Secretary of State in 2018 and re-election four years later. Benson grabbed national attention in 2020 as she defended Michigan's election systems and pushed back against President Donald Trump's unsubstantiated claims that massive voter fraud was to blame for his loss to former President Joe Biden, who narrowly carried Michigan.

Benson touts her track record in Lansing, including election security and efficiency in office, as she runs for governor. And her campaign has focused on protecting democracy, lowering costs for families, expanding affordable housing, defending reproductive rights, and improving public education.

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The Secretary of State had a large fundraising and polling advantage over Swanson heading into Michigan's primary.

Swanson grabbed national attention in the summer of 2020, as protests from coast to coast broke out over the death of George Floyd. Swanson was credited with keeping the peace as he took off his body armor to march with protesters in Flint, Michigan.

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Four years later, Swanson spoke at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago as he was a vocal supporter for Biden and then-Vice President Kamala Harris, who replaced Biden as the party's presidential nominee after he quit the race following a disastrous debate against Trump.