Jocelyn Benson vs. John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

• Bachelor of Arts, Wellesley College (1999)

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMichigan Manual 2019–2020, Chapter IV: The Executive Branch (Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Legislature · 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Master of Philosophy, University of Oxford (Magdalen College), as a Marshall Scholar

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMichigan Manual 2019–2020, Chapter IV: The Executive Branch (Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Legislature · 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · ReferenceMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide ↗ (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

• Juris Doctor, Harvard Law School

  Sources (3)3 sourcesMichigan Manual 2019–2020, Chapter IV: The Executive Branch (Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Legislature · 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson sworn in for second term as Michigan Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2023 · Government

John James

• B.S. in law and systems engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point (2004)

  Sources (3)3 sourcesJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · ReferenceBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · GovernmentMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide ↗ (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaire

• Master's degree in supply chain management and information systems, Pennsylvania State University (2014)

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · GovernmentJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• M.B.A., University of Michigan Ross School of Business (2015)

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · GovernmentJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · Reference

Jocelyn Benson

• Volunteer researcher and investigator of hate groups (unpaid internship), Southern Poverty Law Center, Montgomery, Alabama

  Sources (3)3 sourcesThe 19TH: Jocelyn Benson’s Journey to the Michigan Governor’s Race ↗ (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · March 24, 2026 · CampaignJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Reference

• Law clerk to Judge Damon J. Keith, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson Sworn-in As Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2019 · Government

• Associate professor and associate director, Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights, Wayne State University Law School

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJocelyn Benson sworn in for second term as Michigan Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2023 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Democratic nominee for Michigan secretary of state (2010); lost the general election to Ruth Johnson

  SourceSourceJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Dean, Wayne State University Law School (2012–2016)

  Sources (3)3 sourcesJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson Sworn-in As Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson sworn in for second term as Michigan Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2023 · Government

• CEO and president, Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) (2016–2018)

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJocelyn Benson Sworn-in As Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Reference

John James

• Officer, U.S. Army (2004–2012): Ranger-qualified aviation officer who led two Apache helicopter platoons in Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · GovernmentJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · Reference

• President, James Group International, and CEO, Renaissance Global Logistics, a Detroit-based supply-chain and logistics business started by his father (joined 2012; stepped down before taking office in Congress in 2023)

  Sources (2)2 sourcesBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · GovernmentFact check: Democrats claim John James has used Congress to enrich himself ↗ (opens in a new tab)Bridge Michigan · Sept. 8, 2026 · News

• Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan (2018 and 2020); lost the general elections to Debbie Stabenow in 2018 and Gary Peters in 2020

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · Reference

• Member, U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee (2023–present); chairman, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa (2023–2024)

  SourceSourceJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

Jocelyn Benson

• Michigan Secretary of State

  2019–present · Elected

  Sources (3)3 sourcesJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson Sworn-in As Michigan's 43rd Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2019 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson sworn in for second term as Michigan Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · Jan. 1, 2023 · Government

John James

• U.S. Representative, Michigan's 10th Congressional District

  2023–present · Elected

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · ReferenceJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

John James

Jocelyn Benson

No legislative record

John James

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 119th Congress)

  Economy

  Budget reconciliation law that changed federal tax policy, provided funding for various federal programs, reduced federal Medicaid spending and increased the statutory debt limit.

  The House agreed to the Senate-amended bill 218–214 on July 3, 2025; signed into law July 4, 2025.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesRoll Call 190: H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 3, 2025 · Legislative recordHealth Provisions in P.L. 119-21, the FY2025 Reconciliation Law (R48633) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Congressional Research Service · Aug. 18, 2025 · GovernmentJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
  Voted yes

  U.S. House · July 3, 2025

  On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment

  House roll call 190, 2025 ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call 190: H.R. 1, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendment ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · July 3, 2025 · Legislative record

• Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (H.R. 22, 119th Congress)

  Democracy

  Would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

  Passed the House 220–208 on April 10, 2025.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesRoll Call 102: H.R. 22, SAVE Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · April 10, 2025 · Legislative recordJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
  Voted yes

  U.S. House · April 10, 2025

  On Passage

  House roll call 102, 2025 ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call 102: H.R. 22, SAVE Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · April 10, 2025 · Legislative record

• Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 119th Congress)

  Immigration

  Requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain non-U.S. nationals who are in the country unlawfully, or who lacked required documents when applying for admission, and who have been charged with, arrested for, convicted of or admit to burglary, theft, larceny, shoplifting, assault of a law enforcement officer, or any crime that results in death or serious bodily injury to another person; authorizes states to sue the federal government over certain immigration-enforcement decisions or alleged failures.

  Passed the House 263–156 on Jan. 22, 2025; signed into law Jan. 29, 2025.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesRoll Call 23: S. 5, Laken Riley Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 22, 2025 · Legislative recordLaken Riley Act (S. 5, 119th Congress): CRS bill summaries ↗ (opens in a new tab)Congressional Research Service, via U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · Jan. 29, 2025 · Legislative recordJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
  Voted yes

  U.S. House · Jan. 22, 2025

  On Passage

  House roll call 23, 2025 ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call 23: S. 5, Laken Riley Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 22, 2025 · Legislative record

• Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1, 118th Congress)

  Energy

  Would increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal and of minerals used in electronics, and reduce permitting restrictions for pipelines, refineries and other energy projects.

  Passed the House 225–204 on March 30, 2023.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesRoll Call 182: H.R. 1, Lower Energy Costs Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 30, 2023 · Legislative recordJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference
  Voted yes

  U.S. House · March 30, 2023

  On Passage

  House roll call 182, 2023 ↗ (official record, opens in a new tab)SourceSourceRoll Call 182: H.R. 1, Lower Energy Costs Act, On Passage ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · March 30, 2023 · Legislative record

Jocelyn Benson

• Carried out voter-approved early and mail voting changes

  PolicyDocumented2024

  As secretary of state, oversaw the implementation of Proposal 2022-2, the constitutional amendment requiring at least nine days of early in-person voting, an optional permanent mail-ballot list and drop boxes in every jurisdiction, and the 2018 amendment letting every registered voter vote by mail. The department reported record turnout of 5,706,503 in the November 2024 election, with more than 1.2 million people voting early in person and more than 2.2 million by mail.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesMichigan Department of State releases 2024 county-level election data showing record turnout in state's first presidential election after passage of Proposal 2022-2 ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · July 3, 2025 · GovernmentJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Wikipedia · Reference

• Justice Department voter-roll lawsuit, House contempt resolution and House subpoena lawsuit

  Legal proceedingDocumentedAug. 14, 2026

  In September 2025, Michigan gave the U.S. Justice Department a copy of its voter roll with voters' personally identifiable information withheld, saying that was needed to comply with state and federal law; the department then sued Benson, in her official capacity, and the State of Michigan for the full list. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou dismissed the suit on Feb. 10, 2026, finding that none of the three federal laws the department cited required disclosure. On June 24, 2026, a Sixth Circuit panel affirmed the dismissal 2–1. The department petitioned for rehearing by the full Sixth Circuit on July 8, 2026; on Aug. 14, 2026, the court denied the petition after less than a majority of its judges voted for rehearing. In a separate matter, the Michigan House Oversight Committee voted on April 15, 2025, to authorize subpoenas directing Benson and the Department of State to produce the “full, complete, and unredacted training materials used to train Michigan clerks and their staffs on Michigan elections,” including all of the materials in the department's eLearning Center. In a May 7, 2025 letter sent on their behalf by the Department of Attorney General, they objected, among other grounds, that the subpoenas cited no legislative purpose and were overbroad and burdensome. On May 22, 2025, the House voted 58–47, along party lines, for a resolution that called reviewing election training materials a valid legislative purpose, held Benson and the department in civil contempt for their “deliberate failure to comply” with the subpoenas and directed the House Office of Legal Counsel to seek compliance, “including the initiation of legal action”; MIRS reported that resolutions are not legally binding. After the vote, Benson said the withheld information, “if it ends up in the wrong hands, could be used to interfere with the chain of custody of ballots, tamper with election equipment or impersonate a clerk on election day,” and that her office had shared more than 3,000 pages of materials with lawmakers. On June 5, 2025, the House sued Benson, in her official capacity, and the department in the Court of Claims, seeking a declaration that their objections were invalid. On Nov. 3, 2025, Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel denied both sides' motions for summary disposition, ruling that “there remains a question of fact whether the subpoenas were issued for a valid legislative purpose,” and on Jan. 22, 2026, she denied the House's motion for reconsideration. On Aug. 4, 2026, the Court of Appeals granted leave to appeal (No. 379470); the appeal had not been decided as of Oct. 19, 2026.

  Sources (16)16 sourcesTrump administration lawsuit over Michigan voter rolls dismissed ↗ (opens in a new tab)Votebeat · Feb. 10, 2026 · NewsJudge dismisses DOJ lawsuit seeking Michigan's voter roll data ↗ (opens in a new tab)NBC News · Feb. 10, 2026 · NewsTrump DOJ suffers first appeals court loss — after nine lower court failures — in floundering voter roll crusade ↗ (opens in a new tab)Democracy Docket · June 24, 2026 · NewsUnited States v. Benson: Sixth Circuit Denies Federal Demand for State Voter Registration List ↗ (opens in a new tab)Congressional Research Service, via EveryCRSReport.com · July 14, 2026 · GovernmentUnited States v. Benson, No. 26-1225: Petition for Rehearing En Banc ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Department of Justice, via League of Women Voters · July 8, 2026 · Court recordUnited States v. Benson, No. 26-1225: Order on Petition for Rehearing En Banc (26a0233p.06) ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit · Aug. 14, 2026 · Court recordTrump’s State Voter Rolls Push Wins Over More Appeals Judges ↗ (opens in a new tab)Bloomberg Law · Aug. 14, 2026 · NewsMichigan DOJ Voter Data Access Challenge (United States v. Benson) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Democracy Docket · NewsHouse Resolution No. 117 (2025), as adopted: A resolution to hold Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Department of State in civil contempt of the Michigan House of Representatives ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Legislature · May 22, 2025 · Legislative recordOpinion and Order Denying Plaintiff's 6/5/25 Motion and Defendants' 6/26/25 Cross-Motion for Summary Disposition, Michigan House of Representatives v Benson (Case No. 25-000096-MZ) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Claims · Nov. 3, 2025 · Court recordHouse Holds Benson In Contempt; She Says She'll Meet Them In Court ↗ (opens in a new tab)MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service) · May 22, 2025 · NewsMichigan House Republicans vote to hold Benson in contempt over election training documents ↗ (opens in a new tab)9&10 News · May 22, 2025 · NewsMichigan State House holds Secretary of State in contempt of House ↗ (opens in a new tab)WILX, via WLUC-TV6 · May 22, 2025 · NewsMichigan House sues SOS Jocelyn Benson over access to election training materials ↗ (opens in a new tab)CBS Detroit · June 5, 2025 · NewsOpinion and Order Denying Plaintiff's 11/24/25 Motion for Reconsideration, Michigan House of Representatives v Benson (Case No. 25-000096-MZ) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Claims · Jan. 22, 2026 · Court recordOrder, House of Representatives v Secretary of State (Docket No. 379470) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Appeals · Aug. 4, 2026 · Court record

• Absentee-ballot signature and stub guidance rulings

  Legal proceedingDocumentedSept. 9, 2026

  On March 9, 2021, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray ruled that guidance Benson issued to clerks on Oct. 6, 2020, directing them to presume absentee-ballot signatures valid unless they differed in 'multiple, significant and obvious respects' from the signature on file, was invalid because it was a rule not issued through the Administrative Procedures Act process. The suit was brought by Allegan County Clerk Robert Genetski and the Michigan Republican Party. The ruling applied to future elections; the judge found their claims seeking an audit of the 2020 election to be without merit. A Department of State spokesperson said after the ruling that the department had not decided whether to appeal, and Ballotpedia News reported that it was unclear whether the state would. In a separate suit filed in March 2024 by the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party, the National Republican Congressional Committee and individual plaintiffs, Court of Claims Judge Christopher Yates ruled on June 12, 2024, that an initial presumption of validity in Benson's 2023 signature-verification guidance was “impermissible under the Michigan Constitution and Michigan statutes”; Benson's office had argued that the guidance did not presume signatures valid without review. He rejected the plaintiffs' broader claims and upheld the guidance's list of possible reasons for differences in signatures, such as age or disability. In an Oct. 25, 2023 report, Votebeat counted the 2021 ruling among three times Michigan courts had rebuffed Benson for creating new election rules without going through the administrative process set by law. In September 2024, the Republican National Committee, the Michigan Republican Party and Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry sued Benson and Director of Elections Jonathan Brater in the Court of Claims over her 2024 guidance telling election inspectors to process absentee ballots returned with a missing stub, or with a stub number that did not match the number on the return envelope, as challenged ballots if the discrepancy could not be explained. In October 2024, the court granted the plaintiffs partial relief, requiring the election manual to make clear that inspectors must compare the stub number with the number on the return envelope. On Dec. 3, 2025, it declared the guidance invalid as conflicting with state election law (MCL 168.768), and on Dec. 29, 2025, it entered a final judgment with a permanent injunction requiring Benson and Brater to adopt a 10-step cure procedure proposed by the plaintiffs until they promulgated a rule creating an alternative. On Benson and Brater's appeal, the Court of Appeals reversed in a published opinion on June 26, 2026, holding that MCL 168.768 “does not prohibit tabulation when a stub is missing or mismatched,” that the guidance does not conflict with it and that the injunction had been entered without the required findings; it vacated the injunction and sent the case back for entry of judgment in favor of Benson and Brater. The plaintiffs applied to the Michigan Supreme Court for leave to appeal; on Sept. 9, 2026, the court extended to Oct. 2, 2026, the deadline for Benson and Brater's answer, and the application had not been decided as of Oct. 19, 2026.

  Sources (9)9 sourcesMichigan Court of Claims invalidates absentee/mail-in ballot rule as improperly established ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia News · March 19, 2021 · ReferenceSOS signature-matching guidelines for absentee ballots ruled "invalid" by judge ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Public · March 17, 2021 · NewsMichigan judge strikes down Benson election signature directive as ‘invalid’ ↗ (opens in a new tab)The Center Square · March 17, 2021 · NewsMichigan Judge Largely Denies RNC’s Challenge To Absentee Ballot Signature Matching Rules ↗ (opens in a new tab)Democracy Docket · June 12, 2024 · NewsAbsentee Ballot Signature Verification Rules Issued by SOS Benson Ruled Unconstitutional ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan News Source · June 13, 2024 · NewsMichigan Appeals Court rules that Benson set poll challenger limits improperly ↗ (opens in a new tab)Votebeat · Oct. 25, 2023 · NewsOpinion, Republican National Committee v Secretary of State (Docket No. 379136) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Appeals · June 26, 2026 · Court recordOrder Denying Defendants' Motion for Stay Pending Appeal, Republican National Committee v Benson (Case No. 24-000148-MZ) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Claims · Feb. 13, 2026 · Court recordOrder, Republican National Committee v Secretary of State (SC 170494) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Supreme Court · Sept. 9, 2026 · Court record

• Polling-place open-carry directive and election-challenger guidance lawsuits

  Legal proceedingDocumentedAug. 28, 2024

  On Oct. 16, 2020, Benson issued a directive prohibiting the open carry of firearms on Election Day in polling places and within 100 feet of their building entrances, and in clerk's offices and absentee counting boards. On Oct. 27, Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray blocked the directive with an injunction, finding that it likely violated the Administrative Procedures Act because it had not gone through the state's formal rule-making process. The Court of Appeals denied the state's application for leave to appeal on Oct. 29, and the Michigan Supreme Court did not rule on the state's application before the Nov. 3, 2020 election; on Dec. 11, 2020, the Supreme Court dismissed the application with prejudice on a stipulation signed by counsel for the parties. In September 2022, Republican activists who had served as election challengers and two Republican legislative candidates sued over Benson's May 2022 manual on election challengers and poll watchers (O'Halloran v. Benson); the case was combined with a suit by the Michigan Republican Party and the Republican National Committee. The Court of Claims struck down provisions of the manual on Oct. 20, 2022, and on Oct. 19, 2023, the Court of Appeals affirmed, holding that the Department of State had to follow the Administrative Procedures Act's rulemaking process. Benson appealed. On Aug. 28, 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled 4–3 that the challenged provisions did not have to go through that process and found them largely lawful, except to the extent that the manual required a challenger at an absentee-ballot processing facility to raise issues listed in statute with a challenger liaison who is not an election inspector at the facility, and except for a portion allowing the liaison to deem a challenger's stated reason impermissible, and therefore decline to record the challenge, where that reason was inapplicable or incorrect.

  Sources (8)8 sourcesMichigan Supreme Court fails to respond to firearm appeal prior to Election Day ↗ (opens in a new tab)WNMU-FM · Nov. 2, 2020 · NewsState appeals guns-at-polls decision ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Public · Oct. 29, 2020 · NewsCourt won't back gun ban outside Michigan polling places ↗ (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via Yahoo News · Oct. 29, 2020 · NewsOrder, Thomas Lambert v Secretary of State (Docket No. 355266) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Appeals · Oct. 29, 2020 · Court recordOrder, Davis v Secretary of State (SC 162184) and Lambert v Secretary of State (SC 162185) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Supreme Court · Dec. 11, 2020 · Court recordCourt rules poll watcher guidance exempt from rulemaking process ↗ (opens in a new tab)Gongwer News Service, via Legal News · Aug. 30, 2024 · NewsMichigan Appeals Court rules that Benson set poll challenger limits improperly ↗ (opens in a new tab)Votebeat · Oct. 25, 2023 · NewsMichigan Election Challengers Guidance (O’Halloran) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Democracy Docket · News

• Attorney General finding on campaign-launch remarks in state building

  Legal proceedingDocumentedMay 19, 2025

  Two campaign-finance complaints, one by a former Republican state House candidate and one by the Michigan Republican Party, alleged that Benson improperly used public resources when she took reporters' questions about her newly filed campaign for governor in the lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building, which houses her department, on Jan. 22, 2025. Because they involved the secretary of state, the complaints went to the Department of Attorney General. In a May 19, 2025 letter, the department found that Benson had violated the Michigan Campaign Finance Act's prohibition on using public resources for campaign purposes and that her campaign committee had not; saying the act gave it no authority to fine or charge a secretary of state, it resolved the complaints with a reminder and warning. Her campaign called the determination “a new interpretation” of the act.

  Sources (4)4 sourcesAG: Benson gubernatorial announcement in public building violated campaign finance act ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · May 19, 2025 · NewsAG: Benson violated campaign finance act but can’t be fined ↗ (opens in a new tab)WDET · May 20, 2025 · NewsBenson campaign denies wrongdoing after complaint filed upon launch of campaign ↗ (opens in a new tab)Detroit Free Press, via Yahoo News · Jan. 24, 2025 · NewsRepublican Party files campaign finance complaint against Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Public · Jan. 28, 2025 · News

• Department of State service changes and ranking claim

  OutcomeCandidate’s claim

  Benson's campaign says she transformed the Department of State, which also handles driver's licenses and vehicle registration, and moved Michigan from 31st to 2nd in the nation in election administration; the campaign materials reviewed do not name the ranking. The department's official biography of Benson says she installed more than 160 self-service stations statewide, mostly at grocery stores, and ended the take-a-ticket-and-wait system at its offices.

  Sources (4)4 sourcesICYMI: Benson Makes Healthcare Affordability Defining Issue with Plan to Drive Down Costs and Increase Access to Care ↗ (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · Feb. 23, 2026 · CampaignJocelyn Benson ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceJocelyn Benson - Michigan Secretary of State ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Department of State · GovernmentMeet the candidates running for Michigan governor ↗ (opens in a new tab)The Eastern Echo · July 2026 · News

John James

• Patients Deserve Price Tags Act

  LegislationDocumentedSept. 26, 2025

  Introduced H.R. 5582 on Sept. 26, 2025, with Reps. Maggie Goodlander, Jen Kiggans and Don Davis. It would require hospitals to publish standard charges and shoppable services in a standardized, machine-readable format, with penalties of up to $10 million for persistent violators, and require insurers to offer personalized cost estimates.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesH.R. 5582 (IH) - Patients Deserve Price Tags Act ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo) · Sept. 26, 2025 · Legislative recordJohn James Introduces Patients Deserve Price Tags Act ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · Nov. 18, 2025 · GovernmentJohn James: Hospital prices are a confusopoly ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · June 12, 2026 · Government

• App Store Accountability Act

  LegislationDocumentedMay 1, 2025

  Introduced H.R. 3149 on May 1, 2025, to require app stores to verify users' ages and obtain parental consent before minors download apps. It advanced from an Energy and Commerce subcommittee by voice vote in December 2025 and from the full committee on March 5, 2026.

  Sources (3)3 sourcesJohn James Introduces Landmark App Store Accountability Act ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · May 1, 2025 · GovernmentJames’ App Store Accountability Act Passes Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · Dec. 12, 2025 · GovernmentJames’ App Store Accountability Act Passes Committee ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · March 5, 2026 · Government

• Army aviation service in Iraq

  ProfessionalDocumented2004

  Served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 2004 to 2012 as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer and led two Apache helicopter platoons in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  Sources (2)2 sourcesJAMES, John ↗ (opens in a new tab)U.S. House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives · ReferenceBiography ↗ (opens in a new tab)Office of U.S. Rep. John James · Government

• Family logistics business

  ProfessionalCandidate’s claim2020

  Says that as president of James Group International, which his father grew from one truck into a $35 million company, he created 100 jobs and increased the company's value to $137 million.

  SourceSourceJohn James (Michigan) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · Reference

• Campaign logo lawsuit

  Legal proceedingDocumentedSept. 18, 2026

  On April 22, 2026, the campaign of Perry Johnson, one of James's opponents in the Republican primary, sued James in Ingham County Circuit Court. The suit alleged that James's campaign logo, which read “John James Governor” without the word “for,” implied that he was the incumbent or already the Republican nominee, and that Michigan election law bars candidates from suggesting they are the incumbent when they are not; it asked the court to order him to stop using the phrase and remove it from ads, social media and campaign materials. James's legal team called the lawsuit “political lawfare” and argued that prohibiting his political speech “would irreparably harm” him. On May 14, 2026, Judge Wanda Stokes granted a preliminary injunction requiring James to temporarily stop using the logo. An adviser to James said on social media that the ruling violated legal precedent, and some of his campaign materials, including his website and social media accounts, were changed to read “John James Michigan.” The case is before the Michigan Court of Appeals (No. 381591), which ordered on Sept. 18, 2026, that it proceed as an election priority; it had not been decided as of Oct. 19, 2026.

  Sources (7)7 sourcesRepublican Michigan governor candidate Perry Johnson files lawsuit against Rep. John James ↗ (opens in a new tab)FOX 2 Detroit · April 23, 2026 · NewsThe feud between Perry Johnson and John James just got worse ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance · April 22, 2026 · NewsWeekend Rebrand Rush: John James Campaign Scrambles to Swap “Governor” for “Michigan” After Perry Johnson Court Win ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan News Source · May 19, 2026 · NewsJudge sides with Perry Johnson over rival John James’ campaign logo ↗ (opens in a new tab)WLNS 6 News, via AOL · May 15, 2026 · NewsYour Weekly Michigan Political Brief ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance · May 15, 2026 · NewsMichigan judge blocks John James logo implying he is governor ↗ (opens in a new tab)WGVU News · May 15, 2026 · NewsOrder, Perry Johnson for Governor v John James (Docket No. 381591) ↗ (opens in a new tab)Michigan Court of Appeals · Sept. 18, 2026 · Court record

Jocelyn Benson

• State taxes

  “I have a plan to actually ensure we’re doing a wholesale review of how we’re bringing revenue into this state so that it is fair, so that is equitable, and so that enables us to pass tax breaks

• Electricity costs

  “I know the next governor of Michigan must ensure we are ending profit-driven rate hikes that have gotten us here, where our electricity bills are going up in some cases more than many other states, and also invest in clean energy infrastructure because frankly, that is the only thing that will reduce our energy costs in the long term.

• Federal pressure on elections and voter data

  “I have focused on what the people of Michigan need, including standing up to the president when he tries to overturn our elections or otherwise pressure me to turn over private citizens’ data. I’ll say no

• Federal immigration enforcement in Michigan

  “It requires a governor who is willing to and ready to stand up to the President of the United States and use every legal tool in my toolbox, which other governors have done, and we've seen that do that successfully to protect the people of Michigan from the encroachment of ICE

John James

• State income tax

  “I have a plan to cut your personal income taxes into the threes to put us on par with states like Indiana and Ohio to start in year one

• Data centers

  “Local control. Don’t increase my bills. Take care of my water. No pollution. Prioritize brownfields over productive farmland

• Election security

  “As governor, I’m going to work with the Trump administration to make sure that we are running secure elections according to state and federal law

• Federal immigration enforcement in Michigan

  “Frankly, I don’t believe we’re going to need ICE presence in the state of Michigan, because we are going to be enforcing the law.