Michigan · Governor · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Where do the candidates stand on the economy and taxes?
Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
John JamesRepublican
Part of the full Michigan Governor comparison · Last reviewed October 19, 2026
Economy & Taxes
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
Jocelyn Benson
Proposes a wholesale review of the state tax code with middle-class tax cuts, subnational trade agreements with Canada to offset tariffs, and an overhaul of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Public statementSept. 16, 2026
At the Detroit Economic Club on Sept. 16, 2026, said she would authorize a wholesale review of the state's tax code and cut taxes for the middle class, and named the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as the agency at the top of her list to overhaul. In the Oct. 15 debate, she again proposed a wholesale review of how the state brings in revenue so that it is fair and equitable and allows tax breaks. 3 sourcesBenson, James discuss tariffs, taxes and business growth at Detroit Economic Club town hall (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Sept. 16, 2026 · NewsBenson, James pitch tariff remedies, business boosts & data center limits at Detroit Economic Club (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Sept. 16, 2026 · NewsBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalOct. 6, 2026
Proposed negotiating subnational agreements with Canada under which goods traded directly between Michigan and Canada would not be subject to tariffs, and partnering with governors of neighboring states. She said states have the sovereignty to make such agreements and that they would be made legally enforceable. 2 sourcesBenson, James tackle affordability, federal relations at first gubernatorial debate (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsBenson, James pitch tariff remedies, business boosts & data center limits at Detroit Economic Club (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Sept. 16, 2026 · News
- Public statementSept. 16, 2026
At the Detroit Economic Club on Sept. 16, 2026, said she would authorize a wholesale review of the state's tax code and cut taxes for the middle class, and named the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as the agency at the top of her list to overhaul. In the Oct. 15 debate, she again proposed a wholesale review of how the state brings in revenue so that it is fair and equitable and allows tax breaks. 3 sourcesBenson, James discuss tariffs, taxes and business growth at Detroit Economic Club town hall (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Sept. 16, 2026 · NewsBenson, James pitch tariff remedies, business boosts & data center limits at Detroit Economic Club (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Sept. 16, 2026 · NewsBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposalOct. 6, 2026
Proposed negotiating subnational agreements with Canada under which goods traded directly between Michigan and Canada would not be subject to tariffs, and partnering with governors of neighboring states. She said states have the sovereignty to make such agreements and that they would be made legally enforceable. 2 sourcesBenson, James tackle affordability, federal relations at first gubernatorial debate (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Oct. 6, 2026 · NewsBenson, James pitch tariff remedies, business boosts & data center limits at Detroit Economic Club (opens in a new tab)Michigan Advance, via Yahoo News · Sept. 16, 2026 · News
John James
Proposes phasing out the state income tax, starting with a roughly one-quarter cut he says spending cuts would fund; says he urged the administration to negotiate with Canada on tariffs.
Show the evidence (2)Hide the evidence
- Campaign proposal2026
His campaign's "Make Work Great Again" plan would phase out the state income tax, starting with a cut of about one-quarter that the campaign says would be paid for by cutting or recovering $3 billion to $3.5 billion in corporate subsidies, unspent funds, earmarks and fraud, plus a worker retention and relocation tax credit and a 100% credit for businesses that fund scholarships. In the Oct. 15 debate he said he would cut the rate "into the threes" in year one. 3 sourcesJohn James (Michigan) (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
In the Oct. 6 debate he said he had pushed back on the administration's tariffs on Canada, telling the trade ambassador the two sides must return to the table and negotiate a reciprocal arrangement. SourceRepublican John James seeks some distance from Trump in Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)NBC News · Oct. 6, 2026 · News
- Campaign proposal2026
His campaign's "Make Work Great Again" plan would phase out the state income tax, starting with a cut of about one-quarter that the campaign says would be paid for by cutting or recovering $3 billion to $3.5 billion in corporate subsidies, unspent funds, earmarks and fraud, plus a worker retention and relocation tax credit and a 100% credit for businesses that fund scholarships. In the Oct. 15 debate he said he would cut the rate "into the threes" in year one. 3 sourcesJohn James (Michigan) (opens in a new tab)Ballotpedia · ReferenceMichigan Governor — VOTE411 Voter Guide (opens in a new tab)League of Women Voters Education Fund (VOTE411) · 2026 · Candidate questionnaireBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
- Public statementOct. 6, 2026
In the Oct. 6 debate he said he had pushed back on the administration's tariffs on Canada, telling the trade ambassador the two sides must return to the table and negotiate a reciprocal arrangement. SourceRepublican John James seeks some distance from Trump in Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)NBC News · Oct. 6, 2026 · News
Recorded votes on the economy and taxes
Selected votes
Jocelyn Benson
No legislative record
John James
One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 119th Congress)
EconomyBudget 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.
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 · ReferenceVoted yesU.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)SourceRoll 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
In their own words
Statements
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
Jocelyn Benson · Second general-election debate with John James, hosted by WDIV Local 4 in Detroit, as reported by WDIV · Oct. 15, 2026
SourceBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
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
John James · Second general-election debate with Jocelyn Benson, hosted by WDIV Local 4 in Detroit, as reported by WDIV · Oct. 15, 2026
2 sourcesBenson, James clash over health care, Trump, Lansing record in final Michigan governor debate (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · NewsLive Updates: John James and Jocelyn Benson face off in gubernatorial debate hosted by WDIV (opens in a new tab)WDIV ClickOnDetroit · Oct. 15, 2026 · News
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