Benson Asked This Question For The First Time

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 10/22/2026) Fresh off the tour bus in East Lansing to begin a week-long sojourn across the state to drum up votes, you have to wonder how many questions Jocelyn Benson has tackled since getting into this race for governor?

So, finding a "first impression" question, which she has not had time to consider, is not only fun, but is often a revealing way to judge how she performs on a first blush inquiry. After all, sometimes governors have to make snap decisions without the benefit of a focus group or other preparatory legwork.

The root of this question goes back almost two years when another governor had the same opportunity to address one of those out-of-left-field questions.

Donald Trump had just been re-elected and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was quizzed on the possibility that she would reach out to him, (despite their shaky history) and seek to forge a working relationship with him through back channels.

She did not pause, gulp or use any other delaying tactic. It was straight-up no waffling.

"Yes."

She defended the decision in terms of "that's what governors do. I'm willing to work with anyone who can help." Not everyone in her party was applauding.

Which brings us to Benson standing outside the bus in a scrum.

"So, if elected, will you call Donald Trump and see if you can work together on issues and say let's do it?"

Like the woman she hopes to replace, there was no head-in-the-air pause, praying for divine guidance.

Instead, a quick, "Of course. My job as governor of Michigan is to fight for Michigan to bring every well-paying job to this state."

But she goes on, "Let me also clear. If he lies or if he overturns elections, if he tries to violate the law and sends in federal troops to terrorize our communities, I will be there to stand in the way," she warned.

She was reminded that some Democrats might object, but like Whitmer, she shoves that aside with a line you may have heard before, "Well, as governor I will work with anyone."

With that out of the way, the fun begins as Whitmer, who is standing next to the candidate during this back and forth, is dragged into the conversation to see if she will share the president's cell number with her possible successor?

"Yes," came the unfiltered reply.

The reporter quickly turns back to Benson: "The governor says she will share the number." She smiles.

"We'll keep you posted," Benson tells the reporter. To cap it all off, the woman with the cell number cracked, "I'm not going to share it with you," looking at the reporter right in the mug with her own smile on her face.

Both erupted in laughter.