Benson Names Health Care, Schools, Housing
DETROIT, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson opened her transition by ranking cheaper health coverage, stronger public schools and housing relief as the work she wants done first after she is sworn in. Speaking Wednesday after her win over Republican John James, Benson said her early agenda centers on cutting household costs and lifting pay. She
Democrats Keep MSU Board Seats, Flip Wayne State Posts
LANSING, Mich. — Democrats swept the statewide races for Michigan State University trustees and Wayne State University governors, locking in new eight-year terms that begin in early 2027. MSU Board Chair Brianna Scott of Muskegon and Trustee Kelly Tebay Zemke of Detroit, both Democrats first seated in 2019, beat Republicans Julie Maday of Novi and
Mackinac Center Sues Over Proposal 2 Speech Rules
MIDLAND, Mich. — Less than a day after Michigan voters approved Proposal 2, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy asked a federal judge to freeze key speech and donor-disclosure pieces of the new campaign-finance rules. The Midland-based group filed Mackinac Center v. Benson in federal court in western Michigan, listing Secretary of State Benson and
Benson Pledges to Open Governor Office to FOIA
LANSING, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson said the Michigan executive office will start answering open-records requests the day she takes the oath, even though the statute still leaves that office outside FOIA. Benson made the pledge Wednesday as she began the handoff from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Michigan joins just one other state in keeping that
McCann Flips Michigan 4th District From Huizenga
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — State Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo flipped Michigans 4th Congressional District on Wednesday, ending eight terms for Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga in a race that stayed tight deep into the count. The call came Wednesday afternoon after overnight returns kept the Southwest Michigan seat unsettled. McCann spoke with reporters in Kalamazoo around
Benson Open to Cutting Michigan State Gas Tax
LANSING, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson said at her first post-election news conference that she is open to cutting Michigans state gasoline tax to give drivers relief at the pump. The stance marks a shift from her earlier campaign warning that pausing the states roughly 52-cent-per-gallon levy would blow a hole in the budget and
Michigan Posts Clean Injury Report Ahead of MSU Rivalry
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigans opening availability sheet for Saturday nights Paul Bunyan Trophy game against Michigan State shows a mostly healthy roster, with one starter ruled out and five others tagged as questionable. The Wolverines (5-3, 2-3 Big Ten) host the Spartans (2-6, 0-5) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, on Peacock. Tackle Andrew
Benson Names 15-Member Leadership Council for Transition
DETROIT, Mich. — Governor-elect Jocelyn Benson tapped a 15-person leadership council to steer her transition, with Mayor Mary Sheffield of Detroit and Prosecutor Kym Worthy of Wayne County among the members, as she prepares for a Jan. 1, 2027, swearing-in. Benson and Lt. Gov.-elect Winnie Brinks appeared Wednesday after Bensons win over Republican John James,
Jocelyn Benson Elected Michigan Governor, Defeats John James
DETROIT, Mich. — Michigan voters have picked Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson as the next governor, handing the Democrat a double-digit win over Republican U.S. Rep. John James in Tuesday’s election. The race was called for Benson at 1:45 a.m. Wednesday. With roughly 96% of the expected vote tallied by early morning, Benson held 54.5%
Abdul El-Sayed Wins Michigan Senate Seat Over Mike Rogers
DETROIT, Mich. — Voters sent Democrat Abdul El-Sayed to Washington in Tuesday’s election, choosing him over Republican Mike Rogers for the state’s open Senate seat and making him the first Muslim ever elected to that chamber. The race was called at 2:27 a.m. Wednesday. With about 96% of the expected vote counted, El-Sayed had 52.5%