Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat who lives in Detroit, announced Wednesday that she's running for governor. The big picture: Benson is the second local candidate to throw their hat into the 2026 governor's race after Mayor Mike Duggan left the Democratic party to run as an independent.

LANSING — Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made her campaign for Michigan governor official Wednesday, kicking off what is already a hotly contested 2026 campaign. Benson’s campaign is so far light on specifics, but she has said she’ll prioritize reproductive rights, government transparency and investing in new state industries.

Benson said she's running for governor to "bring real solutions, not political games, conspiracy theories, or inaction" to Lansing.

Ms. Benson, a Democrat, jumped into a high-profile and potentially crowded race to lead one of the country’s top battleground states.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has officially thrown her hat into the ring for Michigan’s 2026 gubernatorial race, setting the stage for what could be a defining moment in the state’s political future.

Jocelyn Benson, 47, of Detroit, said she wants to be known as "the governor who puts transparency and efficiency at the forefront."

The secretary of state is the first Democrat to announce a run for the seat, joining a field of three official candidates running for Michigan governor so far.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) announced she is running for governor on Wednesday, becoming the first major Democratic candidate to jump into the race. “I’m running for governor to truly make government truly work for everyone,

Jocelyn Benson announces her run for governor, the state House passes legislation to change the state’s tipped wage and sick time leave laws and state Senate Dems authorize a lawsuit to release bills from last year’s chaotic lame-duck legislative session.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has declared her bid for governor. Benson, a Democrat, is running to fill the seat currently held by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m running to be Governor of Michigan to ensure everyone gets a fair shot,

Michigan Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is under scrutiny for potentially violating campaign law after discussing her 2026 gubernatorial candidacy with reporters inside a state-funded building.