States Michigan Governor
Governor
Governor, Michigan
November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.30-2d426473
Candidates
Jocelyn Benson
Democratic
Sourced positions on 5 of 12
Limited data. Fewer than 6 sourced positions.
Campaign sitejocelynforgovernor.com
John James
Republican
Sourced positions on 6 of 12
Also on the ballot
Donna Brandenburg Other party Not researched: below our published threshold Douglas Campbell Green Not researched: below our published threshold Anthony Hudson Libertarian Not researched: below our published threshold
We research every Democratic or Republican nominee, every incumbent, and anyone who raised at least $50,000 (per the FEC) or reached 5 percent in a public poll. Methodology
Statements and positions
Agree Disagree No clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.
Jocelyn Benson Democratic John James Republican
State statements
Taxes No. 01/12
Michigan should phase out its state income tax.
Background Michigan taxes personal income at a flat rate of about 4.25%, a major source of state revenue. Phasing it out would require replacing that revenue or cutting spending.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
cut the waste, reward the work and eliminate the income tax, so Michigan families keep what they earn.
Press quote · Apr 15, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
home.mirs.news
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Economy No. 02/12
Michigan should let cities set a minimum wage higher than the state's.
Background A 2015 Michigan law bars local governments from setting their own minimum wage. This would let cities and counties set a higher local wage floor.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Education No. 03/12
Michigan should opt into the federal tax credit for private school scholarship donations.
Background A 2025 federal law offers a tax credit for donations to scholarship groups in states that choose to take part. Opting in would make Michigan residents eligible.
I'm open to any policy that gets more resources into our schools. But let's be clear: Donald Trump is not being transparent about where the money from this program will go or how it will improve educational outcomes.
Press quote · Sep 2, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026
abc12.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
I believe it's the proper place, not politicians and not bureaucrats in Lansing, and we're going to be providing those resources again, at no cost to the parents and resources that other states are availing themselves to.
Press quote · Sep 2, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
midmichigannow.com No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Energy and climate No. 04/12
Michigan should raise the 10% cap on customers who can buy power from competing electricity suppliers.
Background Michigan law limits alternative electric suppliers to about 10% of each big utility's sales. Raising the cap would let more customers buy power from other providers.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Increasing choice will go to lowering costs,
Press quote · Sep 16, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
yahoo.com No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Abortion No. 05/12
Michigan should keep abortion legal until fetal viability.
Background A 2022 voter-approved amendment protects abortion in Michigan's constitution, allowing limits after viability. Keeping it would leave those protections unchanged.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Guns No. 06/12
Michigan should keep its law letting courts temporarily remove guns from people found to pose a risk to others.
Background Michigan's 2023 extreme risk protection order law lets courts order a person's guns removed for a period. Keeping it would leave the law in place.
There are times in which there are red flag laws that can be better enforced to ensure that weapons don't end up in the hands of abusers who ... then ... allegedly use those weapons to cause great harm and kill.
Press quote · Aug 15, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
yahoo.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Immigration No. 07/12
Michigan should require county jails to honor federal immigration detainer requests.
Background A detainer asks a local jail to hold someone so ICE can take custody. Michigan does not currently require jails to honor them.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Energy and climate No. 08/12
Michigan should repeal its requirement that utilities get all their electricity from clean sources by 2040.
Background A 2023 Michigan law requires utilities to get 100% of their electricity from clean sources by 2040, with interim renewable targets. Repeal would remove those targets and leave utilities' power mix to other rules.
If done right, this law puts Michigan in a position to lead the nation: expanding clean energy, strengthening grid reliability and lowering costs for families at the same time.
Press quote · May 27, 2026 · retrieved Sep 28, 2026
bridgemi.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
By repealing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's green new scam we're going to be lowering electricity rates
Press quote · Apr 24, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
eenews.net
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Housing No. 09/12
Michigan should restrict large investment firms from buying single-family homes.
Background Large investment firms have bought single-family homes in some Michigan markets to rent out, and state law does not limit these purchases. Restrictions could bar or delay purchases by large firms.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Education No. 10/12
Michigan should require public schools to let parents review all curriculum and teaching materials.
Background Michigan school districts decide how much curriculum material they share with parents, and practices vary. This would require every public school to make all instructional materials available for parents to review.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Health care No. 11/12
Michigan should use state funds to replace federal cuts to Medicaid.
Background Federal law passed in 2025 reduces federal Medicaid funding and adds new eligibility rules for some enrollees. The state could spend its own money to keep coverage and payments at current levels.
the state will step up its responsibility through the empowerment of our state agency to be on the side of residents who need that care
Press quote · Jan 8, 2026 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
michiganpublic.org
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
Democracy and elections No. 12/12
Michigan should require people registering to vote to show documents proving U.S. citizenship.
Background Michigan requires people registering to vote to affirm they are U.S. citizens but does not require documents proving it. This would require proof such as a passport or birth certificate when registering.
additional requirements, especially the onerous ones in the Save Act that, among other things, would require the name on a resident's birth certificate to match the name on a voter registration form – that, to me, is not a reasonable requirement
Press quote · Mar 7, 2025 · retrieved Sep 24, 2026
wdet.org
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Verified AI research, accepted by the VoteVera editor on Sep 30, 2026.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
Jocelyn Benson's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Reviewed Sep 30, 2026 by edo.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Accepted sources
A challenge counts in full when its evidence link comes from:
John James's verified accounts and sites.
Official government sites (the list is on each finding's page and in the methodology).
Archived snapshots of any of these pages (web.archive.org).
Any other link is still posted, under Unverified evidence. How evidence is checked