Brinks Endorses Benson For Governor; Benson Outlines Positions On Health Care, Data Centers

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 01/22/2026) Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) endorsed Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for governor Thursday afternoon during a campaign stop at Copper Moon in Lansing, saying Benson has proven she can deliver results and stand up for Michigan families amid rising costs and uncertainty at the federal level.

Brinks framed the 2026 election as a response to what she describes as increasing financial pressure on families and cuts to health care tied to decisions in Washington, D.C. She pointed to Benson's record as Secretary of State as evidence of both values and effectiveness, citing the transformation of branch offices, expanded self-service stations and reduced wait times.

Brinks also credited Benson's role in defending election access during the 2020 cycle, saying she showed the courage needed to protect voters' rights under pressure. She highlighted Benson's early release of a health care plan, her focus on affordability — including housing, childcare and energy costs — and her ability to win statewide races, calling her “our strongest candidate.”

After accepting the endorsement, Benson laid out her case for governor, framing the race as a test of whether state government works for “the people” amid rising costs, healthcare losses and what she described as threats to rights and democracy. She pointed to her record of standing up to pressure as Secretary of State, saying she would continue to defend voters' rights, “even if it means armed protesters show up at my house while my 4-year-old's inside.”

Benson then opened the floor to three questions.

Q. It looks like the Democratic field could have a very strong Metro Detroit focus in terms of where the candidates are coming from. You're from Grand Rapids. Do you have any concerns about that? Especially given also that the Republican front-runner for the GOP nomination, Mike DUGGAN, is also from the Detroit area.

Brinks acknowledged that Metro Detroit naturally produces a large share of political candidates, but statewide outreach remains essential. “There's certainly more people over there than anywhere else in the state, so naturally that can happen,” Brinks said, adding that recent elections show the need to campaign everywhere. Pointing to past statewide races, she said that in a purple state, “you can't do it without covering every part.”

Benson pointed to her own statewide electoral record, saying geography was not limited in her campaigns. “This is my fourth statewide campaign, and as Secretary of State I have won statewide, including in 2022 by 14 points in counties on the west side of the state that no other Democrat would take on,” she said adding that she has consistently shown up in West Michigan.

She also emphasized her presence across the state, saying she has visited every county and worked to ensure government services reach residents regardless of location. “No matter where you live in Michigan, what zip code you have, or where your area code is, or even what time zone you're in, I'll make sure Michigan government is showing up for you, saving you money.”

Q. Some Democratic lawmakers are holding a town hall Friday night in Detroit to promote a package of legislation that would move toward a single-payer healthcare system. You've released your own health care plan, which doesn't go as far as what they're calling for, even though it has support from many Democrats. Is a single-payer approach something your campaign has explored or considered?

Benson said health care will be a central issue for Democrats statewide in the months ahead, noting that the discussion is already happening across Michigan. “I'm glad you brought that up,” she said, pointing to upcoming conversations with Democratic lawmakers about healthcare policy. She said Democrats share a common goal of ensuring healthcare in Michigan is affordable and accessible for all.

She described her proposal as an effort to work through policy details and improve how coverage is delivered, particularly through state administration. Benson said that includes ensuring the Department of Health and Human Services is “efficient and accountable and showing up for residents throughout the state,” as well as creating a health care affordability board to bring stakeholders together to reduce rising healthcare and prescription drug costs. She also said the state needs to better address unfair insurance denials, which she described as potentially life-threatening.

Benson emphasized that implementation matters as much as policy, saying state government must be able to deliver results quickly and effectively. “The administration of state government is critical,” she said, adding that whatever policies Democrats ultimately enact must be delivered in a way people can feel. “When we say we deliver results, it’s not just going to be about passing policies,” Benson said. “It’s going to be actually about improving people’s lives.”

Q. What's your position on the proliferation of data centers?

Benson said the growth of data centers presents an opportunity for Michigan, particularly for job creation, but emphasized the need for safeguards. “I think this is an incredible opportunity,” she said, adding that data centers can “create and bring well-paying new jobs to our state,” if handled properly.

She added that the state needs a transparent and rigorous process to determine where data centers are located and how they operate, including requirements to limit water use and manage energy demands.

“I'm eager to work with lawmakers, frankly, on both sides of the aisle, to ensure in a transparent and rigorous way that we're moving forward into this new territory,” she said. She reiterated the importance of embracing job creation opportunities, but doing so “the right way,” so that “we're also protecting our natural assets, our transition between energy, and the necessity that we all work together to bring down energy costs.”

Pointing to national conversations on the issue, Benson said Michigan should lead rather than react. Citing an op-ed by former Governor Jennifer Granholm, she said the state faces a choice: “We can allow the unfettered growth of these data centers, or we can do it the right way.”

Several elected officials were in attendance, including Sens. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor), Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield Twp.) and Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), along with Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit), Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), Phil Skaggs (D-Grand Rapids), and Stephen Wooden (D-Grand Rapids).