MI-GOV: As Michigan's August primary draws closer, Benson promises focus on affordable health care

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to be the next governor, is ringing in the election year with a plan she says will ensure health care in the state is affordable, accessible and fair.

“I’ve been traveling Michigan throughout the last year as a candidate to be the next Governor of Michigan and no exaggeration, every stop, from Iron River in the Upper Peninsula to here in Detroit, to Flint to Muskegon, every stop, Michiganders have shared heart wrenching stories about a broken, unfair, inaccessible and increasingly unaffordable health care system,” Benson told reporters during a Thursday.

Also seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination is Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson and former Cape Coral, Fla. Mayor Marni Sawicki. While a report from the Detroit News said Gilchrist could end his campaign to run for secretary of state instead, the lieutenant governor’s campaign has not commented.

With Benson and her campaign have touting her work in reshaping Michigan’s Department of State – taking Michigan from 31st in the nation to 2nd in election administration and implementing several voter-initiated reforms including same day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting – Benson pledged to similarly transform the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the state’s largest department.



https://michiganadvance.com/2026/01/08/as-michigans-august-primary-draws-closer-benson-promises-focus-on-affordable-health-care/