Michigan governor hopefuls John James and Jocelyn Benson sparred in their first televised debate. We checked their facts.
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster is a Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Simon joined Bridge Michigan in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and later covering politics on their investigative team. He spent three years tracking the influence of political money in Michigan as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit. A Michigan native, Simon received a bachelor's and a master of public policy from Michigan State University, where he was a policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Outside of work you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. He lives in Lansing.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
Jocelyn Benson picks Winnie Brinks as running mate in Michigan governor race
Democrat Jocelyn Benson adds an experienced legislator to the Democratic ticket by selecting Senate Majority Leader Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
Can Abdul El-Sayed unite Dems? He has work to do with Black, Jewish voters
Abdul El-Sayed wants to build a progressive ‘big tent’ to rally Democrats around his Senate campaign. But his GOP rival Mike Rogers is banking that key blocs aren’t ready to join the fold.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
John James wins Republican primary for Michigan governor over Perry Johnson
Republicans John James and Perry Johnson want to be Michigan’s next governor. Follow live results and analysis of their gubernatorial primary here.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
Jocelyn Benson wins Michigan Democratic governor primary
Jocelyn Benson won Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary and will advance to the general election.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
Michigan primary: 7 things to watch in US Senate, governor, other elections
Michigan voters will decide one of the most interesting US Senate primaries in the country, governor nominees, tax requests and a data center referendum. Here’s what to watch on Tuesday.
Posted inElection 2026, Michigan Government
Who’s funding Michigan governor candidates? New filings reveal top donors
The DeVos family, unions and Perry Johnson are spending big in Michigan’s gubernatorial race ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. See how.
Posted inEnvironment, Michigan Government
Jocelyn Benson: ‘None of my family is profiting from data centers’
Democrat Jocelyn Benson is talking affordability as she runs for governor. But voters keep asking about data centers — and her husband’s role at a company working to bring a massive one to Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government, Political and Public Policy Information
Biz leaders push data centers, warning Michigan may miss ‘golden ticket’
Despite data center protests on the mainland, business leaders at a Mackinac Island conference urged elected officials and candidates to back proposed projects — even as policymaker misgivings grow.
Posted inMichigan Government
Governor hopefuls pitch economic plans, from tax cuts to arts and culture
Republicans centered their pitches on tax cuts, while Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson shared plans to restructure Michigan’s economy.