Michigan's Democratic nomination for governor has been won by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
Benson prevailed over Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, marking a crucial victory in the Great Lakes battleground state.
As Michigan's top election official for the past eight years, Benson will now work to maintain Democratic control of the governor's office, with Republicans seeking to flip the seat.
The general election will pit Benson against either Rep. John James or multi-millionaire businessman Perry Johnson, who are competing for the GOP nomination.
Benson, a former Wayne State University Law School dean, has a strong track record in Lansing, including election security and efficiency in office.
Her campaign has focused on protecting democracy, lowering costs for families, expanding affordable housing, defending reproductive rights, and improving public education.
Benson has also gained national attention for defending Michigan's election systems and pushing back against unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election.
Heading into the primary, Benson held a significant fundraising and polling advantage over Swanson.
Swanson, meanwhile, has been recognized for his efforts to maintain peace during the 2020 protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, where he marched with protesters in Flint, Michigan, despite wearing body armor.
