Benson handily wins Democratic gubernatorial primary over Swanson

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has easily won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, defeating Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

The unofficial result of the race was called by the Associated Press at 9 p.m., just after the last polls in the state closed, with unofficial results showing Benson leading 85% to 15%. Benson’s initial margins were widest in Kent County and Alger County, though as of 9 p.m., Swanson was not winning any county. 

“Tonight marks our opportunity to grow our coalition to include citizens in every corner of our state who believe, as we do, that the power of the people must always be greater than the people in power. My life’s work is about making that promise, that hope, a reality,” Benson said in her victory speech. “You all know who I’ll work for. All of you, and every Michigander in this state. Not the highest bidder, not corporate interests, not Donald Trump, you.”

She continued on to urge voter turnout and volunteer participation in the general election, saying, “Let’s take tonight’s landslide victory and deliver another one this fall.”

Benson consistently held a commanding lead in polls in advance of the primary, with polling from earlier in July giving her a 60-point margin over Swanson. 

“The people built this movement. You kept me going,” Swanson posted on X shortly after the race was called. “Thank you for believing that we could do politics differently. Thank you for walking this journey with me.”

She similarly outperformed Swanson in fundraising. During the reporting period beginning Jan. 1, Swanson raised just over $722,000 and spent about $806,000, leaving him with roughly $187,000 cash on hand. Benson, meanwhile, raised $4.9 million and spent $2.1 million, leaving her with more than $6.4 million cash on hand heading into the general election.

National and statewide Democratic organizations were quick to congratulate Benson on her victory.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel also thanked Swanson for his role in the primary, continuing on to say in a press release, “Michigan Democrats are fired up to elect Jocelyn Benson as our next governor and win a Democratic trifecta that will lower costs, expand healthcare, and invest in our public schools. Let’s go.”

EMILYs List President Jessica Mackler similarly emphasized that their group is “all in” to support Benson in the general election. 

Democratic Governors Association Chair Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said in a press release that Benson’s background as Secretary of State has set her up for success as governor. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is currently vice-chair of the organization.

“Jocelyn understands the challenges families are facing, and she has been a fearless public servant who fixes broken systems and improves the lives of Michiganders,” Beshear said. “She’s already earned the trust of Michiganders by winning statewide twice, and the DGA will be all-in to make sure she wins this high-stakes race so she can keep standing up for the people of Michigan.”

The general election was initially expected to be a three-way race, with former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan running as an independent, but he dropped out in May. Though he had been pulling support from both Democrats and Republicans, some had been concerned about him playing spoiler for the Democrats in a general election, given the fact that Duggan was a Democrat for all 12 years in the Detroit mayor’s office. 

However, with Duggan no longer in the picture, Republicans will have to figure out how to single-handedly tackle Benson, who enters with more money on hand and without the baggage of facing the primary attacks that Republicans have been levying at each other for months. 

Three recent polls show Benson winning over both James and Johnson, though her margins were wider over Johnson than James. However, some in the Republican Party, including consultant Dennis Lennox, have argued that Johnson’s access to significant self-funding and his grassroots momentum would do more to boost down-ballot candidates in the state legislature than James would. 

As of 9:24 p.m., the Republican primary remained too close to call.