Michigan's Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces her candidacy for governor in a bid to replace Gretchen Whitmer.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took questions from reporters about her campaign for governor from inside a state office building she controls.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced she will be running for governor in 2026. Benson, a Democrat, is the latest person to throw their name in the gubernatorial race.

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - After an accidental post on social media Tuesday hinted at a gubernatorial run, Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made her campaign official early Wednesday morning. Benson enters what is expected to be a highly contested race to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer who is in the middle of her second term.

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

In an email announcing her run, Benson said she has a track record of delivering results to improve the lives of Michigan residents. "I want Michigan to be the best place in the country to be a kid, raise a kid,

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

The 47-year-old Democrat becomes the third major candidate to declare for the race to replace Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December that he would run as an independent and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said earlier this month he would seek the Republican nomination.

Benson has been Michigan's SOS since 2019. She's now setting her sights on replacing outgoing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Voters will decide on the next governor in 2026.

LANSING, Mich. (WNEM) - Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced her run for governor on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

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