LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson announced Thursday that she has agreed to two televised general election debates with Republican nominee John James, set for October in Detroit and Grand Rapids.
The announcement comes just days after Benson’s landslide primary win over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Benson, Michigan’s secretary of state since 2019, will face James, a U.S. representative, in the November general election to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Benson’s campaign said it is in talks with WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids and WDIV-TV in Detroit to host the debates. Those two media markets were also used for Michigan’s 2018 and 2022 gubernatorial debates, as well as the 2024 U.S. Senate race.
Benson framed the debates as a chance to draw a contrast with James on affordability. “Voters deserve to hear where the nominees stand on the issues,” Benson said. “For the past year and a half, I have shared plans to lower costs on everything from the grocery store to the gas pump, the doctor’s office to the housing market. John James owes voters an explanation for why he keeps voting to raise their costs and put Donald Trump’s agenda ahead of Michigan. The least he can do is show up, stand on a debate stage, and answer questions. I’ll be there.”
The Benson campaign said it will work with Michigan television partners to finalize the debate formats. Neither the James campaign nor WOOD-TV or WDIV-TV has confirmed participation.
