Benson beats James as Democrats retake full control of Michigan

Democrat Jocelyn Benson has won Michigan’s gubernatorial election.

The Associated Press called the race for Benson at 1:45 a.m. EST Wednesday. As of noon EST, Benson led Republican opponent U.S. Rep. John James 54.6% to 43.7%. James conceded around 11 a.m. Wednesday, saying on social media that he had called Benson to congratulate her.

In a bitter race for Michigan’s next governor, both candidates traded barbs and accusations of corruption in the weeks leading up to the election.

Benson campaigned on her record as Michigan’s secretary of state, emphasizing affordability and education. She has criticized President Donald Trump and what she calls federal overreach in elections.

Benson supports a statewide moratorium on data centers, but drew criticism from James because of her husband’s ties to a 1.4 gigawatt facility under construction in Saline Township, west of Detroit. A Bridge Michigan fact check found no evidence that Benson’s husband, Ryan Friedrichs, could make millions from the project, as a pro-James super PAC ad claimed. But it also found that the Benson campaign’s claim that her family made no money from data centers left out his $370,000 salary in 2025, earned at least in part for his work on the project. He still works for Related Companies but no longer works on Michigan projects.

Democrats also flipped the state House and held the state Senate, restoring the trifecta they lost in 2024.

Michigan also elected Democrats Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Eli Savit for secretary of state and attorney general, respectively. 

Current Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s term ends on Jan. 1, 2027. Whitmer is term-limited.