Benson vs. James matchup set for general election

The top of the general election ticket has been settled Tuesday night, with a faceoff between Jocelyn Benson and John James to become Michigan’s next governor.

Benson rolled to a blowout win that exceeded even the lofty expectations created by a poll showing her up 60 points, defeating Genesee County sheriff Chris Swanson, 83% to 17%, an astonishing 66% margin.

In the Republican primary, where James was the favorite but facing a torrent of negative ads creating a small amount of doubt with at least a little toss up on what the results would be Tuesday night, U.S. Rep. John James won the Republican gubernatorial primary race with a large margin as expected after a large gubernatorial field narrowed to favor him.

With 9225% of the votes counted statewide, James, R-Shelby Township, dhas taken 50.3% of the vote, or 131,894 votes with his opponent Perry Johnson trailing with 35.9%, or 94,852 votes, according to the Associated Press.

James told supporters at his election night watch party in Sterling Heights that now that the primary is over, it’s time to come together as a party to save Michigan.

“Tonight marks the beginning of Michigan’s comeback, but we have to be honest about where we are,” James said in his speech. “Michigan’s families are paying some of the highest gasoline price in the Midwest. Our unemployment rate is among the highest in America. Our children are falling behind. Our infrastructure is crumbling, and too many of our young people are leaving to find opportunities somewhere else.”

He said his opponent was part of the Democratic Pparty in power than led to spending more, but had less

Johnson conceded his loss after on X, saying the early results weren’t what they hoped it would be.

“The career politicians and special interests may win tonight, but they will not win the future,” Johnson said on social media. “We will make Michigan great again!”

James said his next steps were to show that the choice is clear in November: freedom or socialism in the Democratic arty.

“We offer change; they offer continued decline,” James said in his speech. “We offer common sense; they offer crazy. But, but, but we should never underestimate how pain and desperation make false promises sound like hope. That doesn’t make socialism compassionate or workable or even viable. It is none of those things. It means we must listen to people failed by the status quo and answer their pain with solutions that actually work. They don’t want bureaucrats controlling their lives. They want groceries they can afford, homes they can buy, schools that will teach their children to read.”

The James’ campaign has been rolling steady since President Donald Trump’s endorsement in June, leading to the dropping out of two of his opponents: Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, and Former Attorney General Mike Cox.

Cox pulled about 132.5% of the vote with 33,001 votes and Nesbitt with 1.4% with 3,677 votes.

The Republican gubernatorial primary has proved to be the most expensive governor’s primary race in history, according to AdImpact, mostly on account of Johnson’s extensive self-funding. Overall, the primary saw $64.3 million in funding, with Johnson spending $31.9 million, James spending $8.2 million, Cox spending $5.4 million and Nesbitt spending $1.7 million. Around $1.5 million was spent on James attack ads.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel released a statement on the nomination vote calling James him a “failed politician who spends his time in D.C. lining his own pockets, while voting for higher costs for the rest of us,” and criticizing his loyalty to Trump and his loss record in his Senate races.

“Michigan voters have already rejected John James twice statewide, and that’s exactly what we’re going to make sure happens for a third time this November,” Hertel said in a statement.

As expected, Benson coasted to victory in her primary against Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. With 16% of the vote reported, Benson carries 84% of the vote to Swanson’s 15.3%, per the Associated Press.

Benson’s campaign has already prepped for the general election, placing $7.7 million yesterday of what will be a $10 million total statewide ad buy to hit broadcast channels in September. She’ll appear in Detroit with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and then in Lansing with a yet-to-be-announced guest on Wednesday.

Benson is also slated to anchor the Democratic statewide ticket at the party’s general election kickoff in Detroit on Friday, where she’ll appear alongside primary winners from the U.S. Senate race and key legislative races, as well as secretary of state candidate Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and attorney general candidate Eli Savit.

“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 told supporters. . “That, again, will be the choice facing Michigan’s voters this fall: who does your governor work for, what does she stand for, and who does she fight for? The Republicans have already shown us their vision for Michigan. It’s a vision that would raise health care costs instead of lowering them. A vision that stood by while housing costs climbed instead of fighting to bring them down. And a pParty whose leaders stood with Donald Trump when he tried to overturn a free and fair election instead of standing with the people of Michigan. That’s not the future Michigan wants. And together, we’re going to reject it this November.”

It seems Johnson was reading the tea leaves earlier in the day when his campaign cancelled around $1 million in ad reservations after the primary election. Johnson took to social media earlier in the day saying the James campaign should worry less about him pulling funding and more about their campaign “would be broke going against 30 million in reservations from Jocelyn Benson side.”

James is starting the general with a major funding disadvantage to Benson, outraising him 5-to-1. Benson finished her latest reporting period with $6.4 million on hand while James finished with $1.4 million.

Hertel congratulated Benson on her win and thanked Swanson for his participation in the primary.

“As Ssecretary of sState, Jocelyn has saved Michiganders time and money by transforming a broken government system, and time and again, she’s stood up to Donald Trump to protect our fundamental rights and freedoms. As our next governor, Jocelyn will work to lower healthcare, utility, and housing costs to build an affordable future where everyone can stay and thrive in Michigan,” he said in a statement. “I’d like to extend my thanks and appreciation to Sheriff Chris Swanson, who is a champion for working people in Genesee County and across the state. I know that he will continue working to move Michigan and our party forward. 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.”

Other Democratic organizations rushed to express the same congratulations to Benson and pledge general election support. The race between Benson and James is expected to see an influx of spending from national party infrastructure and outside groups beginning as soon as later this week.

Among the groups weighing in on Benson’s general election prospects were the Democratic National Committee, Democratic Governors Association and EMILYs List.

“As Michigan’s Secretary of State, Jocelyn has dedicated her career to serving the people of Michigan, protecting the right to vote, and delivering results for families across the state,” DNC Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. “Her record of leadership has earned the trust of Michigan voters, and Democrats are united behind her as we work together to lower prices, protect healthcare, and build on our progress in order to keep Michigan moving forward.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the DGA, said Benson will be a formidable candidate in the general election.

“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. As Secretary of State, she kept her promises and transformed one of Michigan’s largest departments into one that saved people time, increased transparency, and defended our democracy against relentless attacks,” Beshear said in a statement. “As governor, Jocelyn will tackle corruption, lower the costs of health care, housing, and energy, and always stand up to Donald Trump when he threatens Michigan families and their freedoms. 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.”