Data centers investments, personal finances take center stage at Michigan governor debate

Candidates for Michigan’s next governor are focusing on the same three problems, but have very different solutions. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Rep. John James (R) said they would address increasing costs, stagnating wages, and government corruption at a debate in Grand Rapids on Tuesday evening. 

The candidates sparred frequently, with James accusing Benson of lying about her financial disclosures and Benson arguing that James represents his own interests instead of the people of Michigan. Moderator Rick Alvin of WOOD-TV asked questions tailored to each candidate on numerous issues like Medicaid cuts, tariffs, education, taxes and gas costs. 

Fixing institutions

James argued that President Donald Trump is not to blame for the problems Michiganders face.

“Lansing is failing us, and is going to not be fixed by somebody who’s been a part of leadership in Lansing for the past eight years,” he said. James, a combat veteran and businessman, said he has the experience needed to address what he called excessive spending — including eliminating Michigan’s income tax. 

Benson pointed to her accomplishments as secretary of state, including overhauling Michigan’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to make it “one of the most efficient and customer service friendly agencies in the nation.”

Michigan Dem governor candidate Jocelyn Benson touts her record as secretary of state, including making the Department of Motor Vehicles "one of the most efficient and customer service friendly agencies in the nation."“I know how to run big institutions and fix broken systems.”

— Heartland Signal (@heartlandsignal.com) 2026-10-07T16:06:57.476838190Z

“I know how to run big institutions and fix broken systems,” she said. 

One of the more contentious sections concerned data centers, as both candidates accused each other of profiting off hyperscale facilities that many Michiganders oppose. 

Benson said that James had made millions of dollars investing in data centers, but a fact check by Bridge Michigan found that was unlikely. James has accepted campaign funds from data center developers in Michigan. 

But Benson has her own connections to a 1.4 GW data center currently under construction in Saline Township, west of Detroit. Her husband is a senior vice president for Related Digital, the development company building the data center over local officials’ and residents’ objections. A company spokesperson told Bridge Michigan that he no longer works on that project. 

Responding to ICE and federal overreach

Benson emphasized that Michigan’s next governor needs to have the courage to stand up to federal overreach in the wake of Trump’s use of federal immigration agents in American cities. 

Michigan Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson says her opponent, Republican John James, would not have the backbone to stand up to President Trump sending ICE into the state."How can we trust you as governor to do that if ICE were to come and terrorize our communities?"

— Heartland Signal (@heartlandsignal.com) 2026-10-07T16:07:39.808584916Z

“I, as secretary of state, have been proud to stand up to the President of the United States when he has used and abused and overused federal authority,” she said. When asked the same question, James said he would cooperate with federal authorities. 

Both candidates said they would temporarily suspend Michigan’s gas tax and implement education reforms similar to the Mississippi Miracle, a statewide literacy program that boosted reading levels among students. 

The full debate is available to watch here. WOOD-TV’s Michigan Debate Week continues Thursday with debates between secretary of state candidates at 6:30 p.m. Eastern and U.S. Senate candidates Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers at 7 p.m. Eastern. 

James and Benson will meet again on Thursday, Oct. 15 in Detroit for a second televised debate.