Jocelyn Benson / Winnie Brinks
Democratic- Background: Benson: Secretary of State and former law-school dean.
State leadership · November 3, 2026
Governor & Lieutenant Governor
What this office does
The governor leads the executive branch, proposes a budget, and signs or vetoes legislation. The lieutenant governor runs on the same ticket and serves in the governor’s absence.
5 listed tickets · Vote for no more than 1
4 years
Canton Precinct 8 sample ballot (PDF) · Names and voting limits follow this sample.
Research draft · Candidate order follows the sample ballot. Priorities summarize candidate or office statements, not independently verified outcomes. Missing responses do not mean a candidate has no position.
One vote selects a joint ticket. The summaries below describe the gubernatorial candidates; separate running-mate biographies still need research.
Compare major-party candidates
Compare backgrounds, priorities and records using the same evidence standards. Statements are attributed; gaps are not filled with assumptions. Source review dates remain unchanged.
Also on your ballot: Anthony Hudson / Beau Parmenter, Donna Brandenburg / Robert Donald Cowper II, Douglas Campbell / Bobbie Clay. View their profiles ↓
Background
John James / Jay DeBoyer
Republican- Background: James: U.S. representative and combat veteran.
Key positions & priorities
Jocelyn Benson / Winnie Brinks
Democratic- Stated priorities: Supports housing reform, lower medical costs, educator support and constitutional protections.
John James / Jay DeBoyer
Republican- Stated priorities: Supports tax and regulatory reductions, phonics instruction, government audits and immigration-enforcement cooperation.
Record & research gaps
Jocelyn Benson / Winnie Brinks
Democratic- Record review: A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. Priorities are not proof of results.
Evidence & research notes
VOTE411 · Jocelyn Benson / Winnie Brinks
Candidate questionnaire · Candidate-reported information; not an independent assessment of results.
Michigan · Branches of Government
Government reference · General description of executive and legislative responsibilities.
A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. A promise is not proof of an outcome; missing research is not evidence of no record.
Reviewed October 1, 2026.
John James / Jay DeBoyer
Republican- Record review: A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. Priorities are not proof of results.
Evidence & research notes
VOTE411 · John James / Jay DeBoyer
Candidate questionnaire · Candidate-reported information; not an independent assessment of results.
Michigan · Branches of Government
Government reference · General description of executive and legislative responsibilities.
A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. A promise is not proof of an outcome; missing research is not evidence of no record.
Reviewed October 1, 2026.
Schools and literacy: reported context
Bridge Michigan asked the major-party candidates the same education questions. Both supported more literacy coaches or tutors.
- Jocelyn Benson: Emphasized teacher support and literacy training, and said charter schools should meet the same standards as public schools without diverting resources from public districts.
- John James: Supported proven K–3 phonics instruction and said he would enroll Michigan in the federal education tax-credit scholarship program.
These are stated proposals, not demonstrated results. Bridge Michigan · schools and literacy questionnaire reporting (updated August 2026).
Reporting reviewed October 14, 2026.
Other candidates on your ballot
Anthony Hudson / Beau Parmenter
Key positions & record
- Background: Background not yet verified for this guide.
- Stated priorities: Supports eliminating property and income taxes, consolidating school districts and energy deregulation.
- Record review: A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. Priorities are not proof of results.
Evidence & research notes
VOTE411 · Anthony Hudson / Beau Parmenter
Candidate questionnaire · Candidate-reported information; not an independent assessment of results.
Michigan · Branches of Government
Government reference · General description of executive and legislative responsibilities.
A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. A promise is not proof of an outcome; missing research is not evidence of no record.
Reviewed October 1, 2026.
Donna Brandenburg / Robert Donald Cowper II
Key positions & record
- Background: Brandenburg: business owner.
- Stated priorities: Supports government audits, ending corporate subsidies, local education control and ending property and income taxes.
- Record review: A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. Priorities are not proof of results.
Evidence & research notes
VOTE411 · Donna Brandenburg / Robert Donald Cowper II
Candidate questionnaire · Candidate-reported information; not an independent assessment of results.
Michigan · Branches of Government
Government reference · General description of executive and legislative responsibilities.
A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. A promise is not proof of an outcome; missing research is not evidence of no record.
Reviewed October 1, 2026.
Douglas Campbell / Bobbie Clay
Key positions & record
- Background: Campbell: retired engineer and substitute teacher.
- Stated priorities: Supports public employment, universal basic income, public healthcare and publicly owned utilities.
- Record review: A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. Priorities are not proof of results.
Evidence & research notes
VOTE411 · Douglas Campbell / Bobbie Clay
Candidate questionnaire · Candidate-reported information; not an independent assessment of results.
Michigan · Branches of Government
Government reference · General description of executive and legislative responsibilities.
A complete voting or action-record review is not yet included. A promise is not proof of an outcome; missing research is not evidence of no record.
Reviewed October 1, 2026.
Office and ballot references: VOTE411 · Michigan Governor, Michigan · Branches of Government.
Source directory for this office