Brinks endorses Benson for governor, calling her ‘a tide that lifts all boats’ on Democratic ticket

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for governor at a Lansing event on Thursday, praising Benson for her work combating misinformation in the 2020 election and transforming the branch offices of the Department of State.

“Too often in politics, we focus on what candidates care about, and not whether they have the plans or the skills to implement it,” Brinks said. “She has proven that she knows how to make government actually work for people when families need help accessing health care, when they need someone to cut through the bureaucracy instead of creating more of it. We need a governor who has already proven that they can deliver”

Brinks also called Benson “a tide that lifts all boats,” emphasizing the impact of the gubernatorial nominee on the rest of the ticket.

“I don’t take it lightly that I’ll be a leader on this ticket that will help bring back and restore Democratic trifecta here in Michigan and deliver real results on affordability for Michigan families,” Benson said at the event. “I know we have that work cut out for us, but I know we can do it, because we are the party that stands for the people.”

“Right now, it feels far too often like government is showing up everywhere we don’t want it, and nowhere where we actually need it,” she added. “I’m going to make sure that government is showing up for the people I’ve spent my entire career fighting to make that real.”

Benson also doubled down on her support for data centers at the event, calling them “an incredible opportunity” to bring wealth and green jobs to the state.

Benson’s support for the data centers, which have become a key issue around the state, fell under scrutiny due to her husband’s role as president of a company seeking to create a data center in Washtenaw County.

“We have to do this the right way and build guardrails to ensure that we have a transparent and rigorous process in determining what data centers should come to which communities and that we also statewide, are creating and enforcing real guardrails so that, among other things, data centers have to use the most modern technology to protect against unnecessary water use and also develop partnerships to drive down energy costs and invest in clean energy transitions throughout our state,” she continued.

Benson is generally seen as a front-runner for the Democratic nomination at this point, especially following the decision of Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist to drop out of the race and run instead for Secretary of State.

Benson also snagged the endorsement earlier in the week of former U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence, who represented a district in Southeast Michigan until 2022.

“I have had the opportunity to watch her serve in many roles, and she has proven herself to be a fierce defender of the rule of law and our election systems, with an unwavering commitment to serving all people,” Lawrence said in a press release from Benson’s campaign on Tuesday. “As we look toward the governor’s seat, I strongly urge everyone to support the leader we need at this moment in our history. Jocelyn Benson knows the people of Michigan, is willing to do the hard work, and will keep our state moving forward as a leader in the nation.”