Benson promises bipartisan approach as she prepares to take office with Democratic trifecta

At her first press conference as Governor-elect, Jocelyn Benson repeatedly emphasized the importance of working with legislators across the aisle to deliver on her campaign promises of lowering costs and increasing wages — even as she will be governing alongside a large Democratic trifecta in the Legislature. 

Benson won the governor’s race Tuesday as Democrats made gains across the country, including in Michigan, where they flipped a number of seats in both the state House and Senate, retaining their majority in the latter and regaining it in the former. 

“Voters in Michigan spoke loud and clear. They want leaders who will work together to lower their costs and grow our economy,” Benson said, noting that specific plans for her first hundred days in office would be announced soon. “That is my focus, and as well as improving our public schools. And so you can expect to see some specific things that we’re going to start working on that we’ll be able to announce more in the weeks ahead. That hopefully will enable us to hit the ground running.”

Benson referenced a few specific policies that she intends to put in place, all of which align with past campaign statements on the issues, including voluntarily making the governor’s office subject to public records requests and evaluating different ways to reduce the gas tax.

But despite entering the position on Jan. 1, 2027 with her party in control of both legislative chambers, as well as both the attorney general’s office and that of secretary of state, Benson repeatedly emphasized the need to work across the aisle.

“We do have a historic trifecta that we’re excited about because I’m going to Lansing not to play political games but to get things done. And I believe with this trifecta, you will see a number of leaders committed to that,” Benson said. “But in addition to that, every voice will have a place around our table.”

She said that the results of Tuesday’s election in Michigan showed that the people had an appetite for elected leadership who “will work for the citizens and not Donald Trump.”

“Michiganders have given us a clear mandate to work for them, to lower costs, to grow our economy, to improve our public schools, and get things done,” she said. “And we will meet that mandate working hand in hand with our legislative leaders and everyone in the Legislature on both sides of the aisle, frankly, from day one.” 

Lt. Governor-elect Winnie Brinks, the outgoing Senate Majority Leader, agreed, citing her own time as a legislator.

“I know how this works,” she said. “Real progress doesn’t come from one office or one party alone. It comes when people sit down at the same table and focus on what works for the families that we serve. I’m ready to partner with anyone in either party, in either chamber, to get things done for Michigan and turn Governor-elect Benson’s agenda into real results for people.”

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel, speaking to reporters after Benson and Brinks’ press conference, said that he had been told that the Democratic majorities in the Legislature were the largest since 1978.

“We had just great candidates that worked across the state and did that work on the ground,” he said. “Lots of exciting things in the Legislature, and it gives us that opportunity to have a majority that can get big things done for people and make Michigan a place where people can afford to raise a family again, which I think is the most important thing.”

Hertel was less gracious to the Republicans as they face losses in the midterms, though he did note his own experience working across the aisle when he was a state legislator.

“I do believe in being a gracious winner,” Hertel said. “But on the opposite side of that, Mike Rogers ran what I think is one of the most racist, Islamophobic, terrible campaigns that I’ve ever seen. It should be offensive to anybody that that was even possible. That was a campaign out of some past time in America where I think we were a much more hateful place, and so, I do find a little joy, I will say, in rejecting that.”

Benson noted that U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Twp.), her Republican opponent in the governor’s race, had called her earlier that day to concede the race. In a video posted to social media, James also said that he had called her to congratulate her on a win. 

“The constituents that I have had the privilege of representing, thank you,” he said. “I’ve always said that when service calls, we have an obligation to answer, and sometimes it calls us home. So, I look forward to getting back to my first and most important titles, that being husband and dad. But regardless, I’m never going to relent in working with anyone and everyone for a greater, more prosperous, and a more free Michigan.”