Michigan · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Where do the candidates stand on abortion and reproductive rights?

Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
John JamesRepublican

Part of the full Michigan Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

Each position is labeled by what it rests on: a campaign proposal, a public statement, a past action such as a vote or lawsuit, or an enacted policy. Where nothing is documented, the page says so.

Documented positions

Says the abortion protections voters approved in 2022 are not enough, and proposes incentives to bring physicians to Michigan and expanded reproductive health care in rural areas, including mobile clinics.

Show the evidence (2)

Campaign proposalMay 6, 2025
In an Associated Press interview published May 6, 2025, said the 2022 ballot measure protecting abortion access was not enough, and proposed incentives to draw physicians to Michigan and expanded reproductive health care in rural Michigan, including mobile clinics. SourceJocelyn Benson explains why she prioritizes reproductive health access in gubernatorial campaign (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via CBS Detroit · May 6, 2025 · News
Public statementJune 24, 2026
In a June 24, 2026 op-ed in The Detroit News written with Shanay Watson-Whittaker, Reproductive Freedom for All's director of Michigan campaigns, wrote that “rights are only as strong as the leaders responsible for upholding them” and that “the next governor and legislature will determine whether Michigan strengthens protections and access to care.” SourceJocelyn Benson on Anniversary of the Overturn of Roe v. Wade: “Rights are Only as Strong as the Leaders Responsible for Upholding Them” (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · June 24, 2026 · Campaign

Campaign proposalMay 6, 2025
In an Associated Press interview published May 6, 2025, said the 2022 ballot measure protecting abortion access was not enough, and proposed incentives to draw physicians to Michigan and expanded reproductive health care in rural Michigan, including mobile clinics. SourceJocelyn Benson explains why she prioritizes reproductive health access in gubernatorial campaign (opens in a new tab)Associated Press, via CBS Detroit · May 6, 2025 · News
Public statementJune 24, 2026
In a June 24, 2026 op-ed in The Detroit News written with Shanay Watson-Whittaker, Reproductive Freedom for All's director of Michigan campaigns, wrote that “rights are only as strong as the leaders responsible for upholding them” and that “the next governor and legislature will determine whether Michigan strengthens protections and access to care.” SourceJocelyn Benson on Anniversary of the Overturn of Roe v. Wade: “Rights are Only as Strong as the Leaders Responsible for Upholding Them” (opens in a new tab)Jocelyn Benson for Governor · June 24, 2026 · Campaign

Said in 2024 that Michigan voters had “already decided” abortion in 2022; in July 2026 told a voter he would seek “the most conservative, most pro-life bill” possible.

Show the evidence (3)

Public statementApril 2024
At a Detroit TV roundtable in April 2024, said “People in the state of Michigan already decided that no party, no person, no president would decide that for Michigan,” referring to the 2022 constitutional amendment, and that “abortion is enshrined in our Constitution.” 2 sourcesJohn James Once Compared Abortion to ‘Genocide.’ Now He Says the Issue Is ‘Decided.’ (opens in a new tab)NOTUS · April 18, 2024 · NewsThe Republican governor candidates walking back some of their abortion stances (opens in a new tab)The 19th, via PBS News · Oct. 17, 2026 · News
Public statementJuly 2026
Asked by a voter at a July 2026 get-out-the-vote rally whether he would “do something to get Proposal 3 repealed” as governor, said “I've never said it was settled” and “I'm going to do everything to get the most conservative, most pro-life bill passed through the House and Senate as possible,” according to a recording reviewed by The Daily Beast. SourceTrump-Backed MAGA Candidate Caught on Bombshell Abortion Tape (opens in a new tab)The Daily Beast, via Yahoo News · July 31, 2026 · News
Past actionJan. 23, 2025
Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act when the House passed it in January 2023 (H.R. 26, 118th Congress; 220–210) and again in January 2025 (H.R. 21, 119th Congress; 217–204). 2 sourcesRoll Call 29: H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 11, 2023 · Legislative recordRoll Call 27: H.R. 21, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 23, 2025 · Legislative record

Public statementApril 2024
At a Detroit TV roundtable in April 2024, said “People in the state of Michigan already decided that no party, no person, no president would decide that for Michigan,” referring to the 2022 constitutional amendment, and that “abortion is enshrined in our Constitution.” 2 sourcesJohn James Once Compared Abortion to ‘Genocide.’ Now He Says the Issue Is ‘Decided.’ (opens in a new tab)NOTUS · April 18, 2024 · NewsThe Republican governor candidates walking back some of their abortion stances (opens in a new tab)The 19th, via PBS News · Oct. 17, 2026 · News
Public statementJuly 2026
Asked by a voter at a July 2026 get-out-the-vote rally whether he would “do something to get Proposal 3 repealed” as governor, said “I've never said it was settled” and “I'm going to do everything to get the most conservative, most pro-life bill passed through the House and Senate as possible,” according to a recording reviewed by The Daily Beast. SourceTrump-Backed MAGA Candidate Caught on Bombshell Abortion Tape (opens in a new tab)The Daily Beast, via Yahoo News · July 31, 2026 · News
Past actionJan. 23, 2025
Voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act when the House passed it in January 2023 (H.R. 26, 118th Congress; 220–210) and again in January 2025 (H.R. 21, 119th Congress; 217–204). 2 sourcesRoll Call 29: H.R. 26, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 11, 2023 · Legislative recordRoll Call 27: H.R. 21, Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, On Passage (opens in a new tab)Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Jan. 23, 2025 · Legislative record

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