Jocelyn Benson
Candidate · Governor · Michigan
Democrat · Challenger92%
Party to win · Kalshi, Oct 27, 2026
▲ 30 pts since April
Running for
OfficeGovernor
SeatMichigan, statewide
AgainstJohn James (R)
ElectionNov 3, 2026 · 7 days
StandingChallenger
BallotOn the state’s official list
Links
Websitevotebenson.com ↗
X@JocelynBenson ↗ Campaign
Running statewide
Michigan · Governor
Roster checked Sep 29, 2026. Listed as: Secretary of State, Ex-Wayne State Univ Law School Dean & Attorney.
The campaign · in their wordsvotebenson.com · read Oct 19, 2026 ↗
“Building a Michigan everyone can afford.”
Plank 1 · campaign site
Affordability
“My Affordable Michigan agenda will tackle the costs hitting families hardest.”
Plank 2 · campaign site
Housing
“As governor, I'll do the same for our housing processes.”
Plank 3 · campaign site
Healthcare
“As Governor, I'll fight back.”
Page titles and first lines from the campaign's own site, unedited. 239 pages read.
Where They Stand
Statement estimateNo votes yet, so this is read from the campaign’s own words, on the same scale as a member’s record.
Overall
from 9 statements
Left
Issue · by emphasisLeftCenterRightReadTalks about
Odds over time · Kalshi daily closes
Benson (D) — 92%James (R) — 9%
The race · Michigan Governor · 7 days out
Jocelyn BensonDemocrat · challenger · Left 23 from statements92%
John JamesRepublican · challenger · Rt-lean 19 on the record9%2319
42 points apart · hollow = estimate, solid = record
Money · Michigan Bureau of Elections through Oct 18, 2026
$15.9M
Raised
$13.6M
From individuals
Named donors · every gift
51,929
Named donors
59%
Itemized from Michigan
By occupation
$4.9M
$1.8M
$1.3M
$875k
$394k
By state
$8M
$1.3M
$898k
$558k
$324k
Michigan Bureau of Elections names every donor, so Itemized is all the money from individuals. Loans don't count as raised.
In their own words
“set a guaranteed $60,000 base salary for starting teachers”
“expand postsecondary educational opportunities for students”
“Her plan invests in culturally competent care, Medicaid coverage for doula and midwife services”
On the ballot with them · Michigan, Nov 3, 2026
MI Senate · open seat
Abdul El-Sayed (D) · 69%
vs. Mike Rogers (R) · 31%
MI-1 · open seat
Jack Bergman (R) · 87%
vs. Callie Barr (D) · 14%
MI-2
John Moolenaar (R) · 98%
vs. Ben Ambrose (D) · 1%
MI-3
Hillary Scholten (D) · 95%
vs. Terri DeBoer (R) · 5%
MI-4
Sean McCann (D) · 52%
vs. Bill Huizenga (R) · 48%
MI-5
Tim Walberg (R) · 93%
vs. Christian Vukasovich (D) · 7%
Statement estimate · odds are a market close, not a poll
Jocelyn Benson
Candidate · Governor · Michigan
Democrat · Challenger92%
Party to win · Kalshi
▲ 30 pts since April
7
Days to Nov 3
vs. James (R)
The campaign · in their wordsRead Oct 19, 2026 ↗
“Building a Michigan everyone can afford.”
Plank 1
Affordability
“My Affordable Michigan agenda will tackle the costs hitting families hardest.”
Plank 2
Housing
“As governor, I'll do the same for our housing processes.”
Plank 3
Healthcare
“As Governor, I'll fight back.”
Page titles and first lines from the campaign's site, unedited · votebenson.com
Where They Stand
EstimateNo votes yet, so this is read from the campaign’s own words.
Issue · by emphasisRead · talks about
EducationLeft 28
Left, 28 points from center
Health careLeft 23
Left, 23 points from center
Budget and taxesL-lean 20
L-lean, 20 points from center
Energy and landLeft 25
Left, 25 points from center
TradeLeft 28
Left, 28 points from center
Housing and techLeft 26
Left, 26 points from center
Business and laborRt-lean 18
Rt-lean, 18 points from center
Crime and justiceL-lean 18
L-lean, 18 points from center
Civil rightsL-lean 18
L-lean, 18 points from center
ImmigrationL-lean 15
L-lean, 15 points from center
Odds over time · Kalshi
Benson 92%James 9%
The race · MI Governor · 7 days out
Jocelyn BensonDemocrat · challenger · Left 23 from statements92%John JamesRepublican · challenger · Rt-lean 19 on the record9%2319
Hollow = estimate from statements · solid = voting record
Money · Michigan Bureau of Elections through Oct 18, 2026
Raised, 2026
From individuals
Named donors
Michigan Bureau of Elections names every donor, so Itemized is all the money from individuals. Loans don't count as raised.
In their own words
“set a guaranteed $60,000 base salary for starting teachers”
“expand postsecondary educational opportunities for students”
“Her plan invests in culturally competent care, Medicaid coverage for doula and midwife services”
On the ballot with them · Michigan
MI Senate · open seatEl-Sayed (D) vs. Rogers (R)69% · 31%MI-1 · open seatBergman (R) vs. Barr (D)87% · 14%MI-2Moolenaar (R) vs. Ambrose (D)98% · 1%MI-3Scholten (D) vs. DeBoer (R)95% · 5%MI-4McCann (D) vs. Huizenga (R)52% · 48%MI-5Walberg (R) vs. Vukasovich (D)93% · 7%
All 15 Michigan races →Statement estimate · odds are a market close, not a poll