This article originally appeared in The Detroit News September 8, 2026.

The gubernatorial field is set. Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James won their respective primary elections and have selected running mates. Now they are accumulating political endorsements. On Nov. 3, Michigan voters will pick our next chief executive.

What is this governor’s race all about?

The country is in an anti-establishment, anti-incumbent mood. Neither Benson nor James has served a day as governor, but each will most likely frame the other as an incumbent. Benson served eight years on the statewide stage as secretary of state during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, so James will warn about four more years of Whitmer. Benson will drape James in a Trump flag. President Trump’s endorsement, which helped secure James’ primary victory, will be Benson’s favorite attack line.

It would be a mistake for James to talk only about national issues. Washington policy is an understandable comfort zone, as he’s been running for or serving in federal office since 2017. But serving in Congress and running a state are different jobs. James has done the first. His campaign should show whether he can do the second.

Whitmer has accomplished many of the Left’s top priorities — codifying abortion in the state constitution, changing voting procedures, expanding gun control, imposing renewable energy mandates and repealing right-to-work. Benson may need to scooch out on a progressive limb to offer new policy ideas, but that could alienate independents.

The candidates’ running mates are solid. Benson picked Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks; James selected House Oversight Chair Rep. Jay DeBoyer. Both are respected in Lansing, though neither is well known to voters. Still, the first rule of a lieutenant governor is to “do no harm.” DeBoyer and Brinks both pass that test.

First, it should be about the candidates whose names are actually on the ballot. Voters are already acquainted with Benson and James. If this campaign is only about people not running for governor (such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Donald Trump), it will give voters little to think about. People need to spend more time with the candidates. The candidate who makes people say, “Wow, that’s interesting,” has a better chance to win.

Second, the campaign should be about substantive issues, not personality or party affiliation. It should be about how each candidate hopes to solve the challenges Michigan faces. Voters are oversaturated with political drama from Washington, D.C. The candidates should offer specific, concrete proposals.

Third, the campaign should be about the future, not the past. What is each candidate’s vision for Michigan? How will each attract people to the state? How will either improve the economy? How will either reverse the decline of the state’s K-12 schools? (Michigan has some of the worst reading scores in the country.) What are the candidates most optimistic about?

The November ballot is crowded. Michigan voters will elect a U.S. senator, governor, attorney general, secretary of state, both chambers of the legislature and two state Supreme Court justices. We will also decide whether to rewrite the state constitution — a vote that happens every 16 years.

What’s this race about? I look forward to hearing what the candidates tell us.

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