Michigan Governor 2026: the ads, and who's paying for them
Jocelyn Benson (Democrat), John James (Republican), Anthony Hudson (Libertarian), Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers) and Douglas Campbell (Green) are the candidates for governor of Michigan in the November 3, 2026 general election. Semblen has analyzed 59 ads in this race; 30 used at least one manipulation technique, most often loaded language and appeal to prejudice. Next date for voters: Registration deadline: Mon, Oct 19.
Jocelyn Benson (DEM), John James (REP), Anthony Hudson (LIB), Donna Brandenburg (UST), Douglas Campbell (GRE).
On the ballot as listed by Michigan Department of State, Official Candidate Listing, General Election Nov 3 2026. 59 ads analyzed, 30 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-08. 11 ads from other advertisers shown separately below.
From Michigan's official election office. Each line links to the official page it came from.
Next: Registration deadline: Mon, Oct 19 (in 11 days)
Registration
Register by Mon, Oct 19 (online/mail: received or postmarked 15 days before (Oct 19); after that, in person at local clerk with proof of residency through 8 p.m. Election Day). Same-day registration: in person at local clerk's office (not polling place) with proof of residency, in line by 8 p.m.Source: michigan.gov ↗
Early voting in person
Sat, Oct 24 to Sun, Nov 1 (mandatory period begins second Saturday before Election Day; communities may start as early as the 29th day before (Oct 5))Source: michigan.gov ↗
By mail
Anyone can vote by mail; request a ballot by Fri, Oct 30 (online/mail: received by 5 p.m. Friday before (Oct 30); in person at clerk: 4 p.m. Monday Nov 2); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (received by clerk by 8 p.m. Election Day; military/overseas postmarked by Election Day and received within 6 days)Source: michigan.gov ↗
29 of 58 (50%) flagged · Loaded Language (16), Appeal to Prejudice (13), Glittering Generalities (10)
YouTube
1 of 1 flagged · False Urgency (1), Glittering Generalities (1), Loaded Language (1)
Reported Meta spend
$795,100–985,720 on all ads, $283,600–351,687 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“unleash jobs” — Loaded Language, paid for by AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
Embed this race on your site
A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
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Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 39% of ads.
The words doing the work
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
moneyin 3 ads· e.g. “dark money”, “dark money and corruption”
Semblen is free to read and has no ads. If this page was useful, you can support it.
Money in this race
Candidates for governor report their fundraising to Michigan's state campaign-finance office, not the FEC. This page doesn't cover those reports yet, so it shows no money figures.
The ads
59 ads, newest first. Video transcripts are shown as the model read them, without caption cues like [music].
Paid for by INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMfrom 2026-10-08spend $0–994,000–4,999 impressions
UAW members, like you, screen candidates for the 2026 election so you can make an informed decision on or before November 3rd.
Jocelyn Benson got the UAW stamp of approval for Michigan Governor because they will fight for higher wages, affordable healthcare, job security, and a dignified retirement.
Glittering Generalities: The sentence uses vague, emotionally positive phrases that sound noble but lack specific policy substance — for example: 'dignified retirement'
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Hot hot. Time for commercial break. These knuckleheads are the reason I'm running for governor, but here's the problem.
Way too many young people are leaving Michigan. Not because they want to, but because they have to leave to find opportunities. Lansing's failed us.
Worse, Lansing's failed them. It's time for a change. It's time to rebuild Michigan and keep our families together.
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged words chosen to trigger a reaction rather than convey facts.
Name Calling: Derogatory labels used to discredit a person or group rather than address their arguments. — for example: These knuckleheads are the reason I'm running for governor.
False Urgency: The phrase 'It's time for a change' creates a sense of urgency and inevitability, pressuring the audience to act without deliberation — for example: It's time for a change and It's time to rebuild Michigan.
Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive language about rebuilding and keeping families together carries no specific policy meaning but sounds noble and appealing — for example: rebuild Michigan and keep our families together
Loaded Language
Name Calling
False Urgency
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Watch on YouTube ↗Transcript above is auto-generated; the analysis is of the spoken words.
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An email when new ads come in from either side or the outside groups: the techniques, the words doing the work, and who paid. And each debate's analysis the morning after. One-click unsubscribe.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-10-025 variantsspend $4,600–6,29590,000–114,995 impressions
Hey everyone, I'm Senator Elissa Slotkin, asking for $5 for my friend Jocelyn Benson, our next governor of the great state of Michigan.
She needs your support in the final stretch. Every dollar matters. We need a strong governor protecting us here in Michigan.
False Urgency: The phrase 'final stretch' implies a critical, time-limited window to act, creating artificial urgency to prompt immediate support — for example: final stretch and Every dollar matters.
Appeal to Fear: Framing the need for a governor as 'protecting us' implies a threat to the audience if the candidate is not elected, triggering fear to motivate support — for example: 'protecting us here in Michigan'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'here in Michigan' invokes local in-group identity to create a sense of shared community interest and loyalty — for example: 'here in Michigan'
False Urgency
Appeal to Fear
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-10-025 variantsspend $300–7959,000–13,995 impressions
Stop scrolling!
My final fundraising deadline before Election Day is October 18. After that, our numbers go public for everyone to see – and in a battleground like Michigan, a lot of people will be watching.
They'll be looking to see if we have what it takes in these final weeks, and whether this race is worth their money too.
So can you chip in before our most important and final deadline?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'cashes data centers' checks' uses financially charged language to imply corruption or being bought, triggering a negative emotional reaction — for example: "cashes data centers' checks".
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence frames the situation as a binary choice between data centers and Michigan communities, ignoring any nuance or middle-ground policy positions — for example: 'give them control instead of Michigan communities'
Appeal to Prejudice: The contrast between outside corporate interests ('data centers') and 'Michigan communities' invokes in-group loyalty to local residents against out-group corporate actors — for example: 'instead of Michigan communities'
Loaded Language
Black-and-White Fallacy
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Conservation Voters of Michigan PACfrom 2026-09-212 variantsspend $25,000–34,9981,600,000–699,999 impressions
John James has already cashed in over $113,000 from data center donors. He takes their money and our families get stuck paying the bill. Say no to John James.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'cashed in' implies corrupt or self-serving behavior rather than neutrally describing campaign contributions — for example: cashed in over $113,000 and get stuck paying the bill.
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase 'our families' invokes in-group identity to contrast with the implied out-group (data center donors), framing the issue as us vs. them — for example: 'our families'
Card Stacking: The sentence presents the implication that campaign donations directly cause families to pay more as a straightforward fact, omitting any counterargument or context about how policy decisions are actually made — for example: 'He takes their money and our families get stuck paying the bill'
False Urgency: The imperative 'Say no' functions as a call to immediate action, pressuring the audience to act without further deliberation — for example: 'Say no to John James'
Loaded Language
Appeal to Prejudice
Card Stacking
False Urgency
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-09-215 variantsspend $4,500–5,39570,000–86,995 impressions
The latest polls show this governor’s race is tight.
We hold a small lead, but in a battleground state like Michigan, we can’t afford to get comfortable.
The work to train volunteers, send out mailers, and protect the vote takes real resources every single day, and believe it or not, we’re now just weeks away from Election Day.
So, can I count on you to rush a contribution today to power the final stretch of this campaign?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-09-21 to 2026-10-035 variantsspend $1,100–1,59519,000–23,995 impressions
Republicans are pouring everything they have into taking back Michigan.
My opponent has six million dollars funneled through a shady super PAC backed by the DeVos family, and Donald Trump has thrown in his full endorsement.
They want to buy this election with dark money. But we have something stronger, and that’s thousands of people like you chipping in what you can.
So, can you chip in today to help us get volunteers on the ground, ads on the air, and literature in mailboxes so we can reach voters and win this race?
Loaded Language: The word 'shady' is an emotionally charged descriptor applied to the super PAC to trigger negative associations rather than provide factual characterization — for example: shady super PAC
Appeal to Prejudice: Invoking the DeVos family and Donald Trump as backers is designed to trigger negative in-group/out-group reactions among the target audience by associating the opponent with figures who are polarizing to that audience — for example: backed by the DeVos family, and Donald Trump has thrown in his full endorsement
Conspiracy Appeal: The vague 'they' implies shadowy, unnamed actors with a sinister hidden agenda to corrupt the democratic process — for example: They want to buy this election with dark money
Bandwagon Appeal: Invokes the image of thousands of ordinary people already participating to pressure the reader into conforming and contributing — for example: thousands of people like you chipping in
Loaded Language
Appeal to Prejudice
Conspiracy Appeal
Bandwagon Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'Big Pharma' is a derogatory, emotionally charged label designed to trigger negative associations rather than neutrally identify pharmaceutical industry donors — for example: Big Pharma
Card Stacking: The sentence selectively presents the donation figure and voting record to imply corrupt quid pro quo while omitting any context about the legislation, other factors influencing the vote, or counterarguments — for example: took $300,000 from Big Pharma, then voted to hand drugmakers massive tax breaks
Appeal to Prejudice: The reference to 'Michiganders' invokes in-group identity to frame the politician as betraying his own constituents in favor of outside corporate interests — for example: lower drug costs for Michiganders
Loaded Language
Card Stacking
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'clean energy made in Michigan, at a price a family can afford' uses vague, emotionally positive language evoking local pride and affordability without any specific policy details — for example: 'clean energy made in Michigan'
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Loaded Language: The word 'corruption' is emotionally charged and used to trigger a reaction rather than convey a specific factual claim — for example: 'taking on corruption in Michigan'
Loaded Language
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Loaded Language: The phrase 'dark money and corruption' uses emotionally charged terms designed to trigger a negative reaction rather than convey neutral facts — for example: 'dark money and corruption'
Conspiracy Appeal: The term 'dark money' implies hidden, shadowy financial actors working against ordinary citizens, suggesting a covert sinister plot — for example: 'dark money'
Loaded Language
Conspiracy Appeal
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Loaded Language: The word 'bankrolling' is emotionally charged, implying corrupt or excessive financial influence rather than neutral campaign contributions — for example: bankrolling
Scapegoating: Data centers and utility companies are blamed as the singular cause of rising costs while implying a corrupt relationship with the candidate — for example: data centers and utility companies raise our costs
Card Stacking: The sentence juxtaposes the claim that these companies raise costs with the fact of campaign donations, implying a corrupt quid pro quo without providing evidence of a direct link — for example: raise our costs, they're bankrolling
Black-and-White Fallacy: The rhetorical question forces a binary choice — either James is on 'our' side or on the donors' side — ignoring any nuanced positions — for example: Whose side do you think he's on?
Appeal to Prejudice: The use of 'our' creates an in-group identity contrasted against the implied out-group of corporate donors and the politician aligned with them — for example: Whose side do you think he's on?
Loaded Language
Scapegoating
Card Stacking
Black-and-White Fallacy
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-09-085 variantsspend $5,400–7,495118,000–138,995 impressions
Ten dollars.
That’s what I’m asking you to chip in today to help us keep the Michigan governor’s office blue.
Ten dollars gets one more organizer having that extra conversation. It gets one more ad in front of voters, and one more yard sign up in someone's neighborhood.
I'm in one of the most competitive and expensive governor's races in the country right now, and it's donations like yours that are going to be the reason we win.
So, can I count on you to chip in ten dollars today?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-09-085 variantsspend $2,100–2,99542,000–50,995 impressions
Ten million dollars.
That's what my campaign has committed to TV ads in September.
It's the biggest bet we've made in this whole race — and I'll be honest with you, we don't have the money to cover it yet.
I can't be in every living room in Michigan at once, but these ads can be. That's how I can reach voters in every corner of this state with what's actually at stake this election.
So I'm asking you directly: can you rush a donation right now to help me keep these ads on the air?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Michigan Laborers District Councilfrom 2026-09-043 variantsspend $100–39725,000–35,997 impressions
The Michigan Laborers are proud to endorse candidates who will fight for #Union rights and stand up for #WorkingFamilies.
Jocelyn Benson for Governor
Eli Savit for Attorney General
Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State
These candidates have our backs, and we have theirs.
#FeelThePower💪
Glittering Generalities: Vague, emotionally positive phrases like 'fight for Union rights' and 'stand up for Working Families' invoke noble-sounding values without specifying any concrete policy or action — for example: 'stand up for #WorkingFamilies'
Appeal to Prejudice: The phrase creates an in-group identity between the speaker and 'these candidates', implying a shared loyalty that excludes others — for example: 'we have theirs'
Glittering Generalities
Appeal to Prejudice
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Congressman John Jamesfrom 2026-09-01 to 2026-09-053 variantsspend $3,700–4,797220,000–254,997 impressions
John James secured $41 million to expand research into Sickle Cell Disease and other inheritable blood disorders in order to find better treatments and hopefully even a cure.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Congressman John Jamesfrom 2026-08-28 to 2026-09-055 variantsspend $34,300–41,3951,050,000–1,259,995 impressions
John James voted to increase funding for Medicaid.
He also voted to protect Medicaid by making sure it only goes to people who are eligible, so that help is available for those who need it: children, pregnant women, seniors, and people with disabilities.
John James is protecting Medicaid for Michigan’s most vulnerable.
Glittering Generalities: The phrase 'most vulnerable' is emotionally positive and vague, used to frame the politician's action in noble terms without specific substantive detail — for example: "protecting Medicaid for Michigan's most vulnerable".
Glittering Generalities
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-08-25 to 2026-09-085 variantsspend $2,600–3,09549,000–65,995 impressions
Hi guys, it's Jocelyn Benson.
I'm here with California's Governor Gavin Newsom, who's here in Michigan this weekend to help us kick off our general election.
Governor Newsom knows better than anyone that governors are on the front lines of all of the right battles. If we want to lower costs and increase wages, then we need to elect Democratic governors this November.
But we need the resources to reach voters, so if you can, donate today to help us keep Michigan blue.
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-08-21 to 2026-09-095 variantsspend $1,600–2,09542,000–50,995 impressions
Hi everyone! I’m here with Winnie Brinks, my pick for Lieutenant Governor.
We have a lot of work ahead of us. We’re running in a battleground state that Trump won twice, and my opponent already has millions flooding in from the DeVos family.
Which means we need to make sure we have the resources to reach voters everywhere — from the Upper Peninsula to Southeast Michigan.
We’re building this campaign together, but we need your help to keep it going.
So, will you chip in today to help us continue reaching Michigan voters and give us the resources we need to keep Michigan blue this November?
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-08-185 variantsspend $7,800–9,895120,000–144,995 impressions
I’m going to be totally honest with you: this race could very well be one of the country’s most competitive governor's races this year.
My Republican opponent has Donald Trump’s endorsement and $6 million from the DeVos family.
On top of all that, we’re trying to defend this seat in a state that Donald Trump won — twice.
I’ve fought — and won — tough fights before. But the only way we’ll win in Michigan is if we’re in this fight together.
So, please chip in today to help me keep Michigan blue this November.
Black-and-White Fallacy: The sentence implies there is only one way to win — by being 'in this fight together' — excluding any other paths to success — for example: 'the only way we'll win'
Black-and-White Fallacy
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-08-125 variantsspend $27,500–38,995290,000–339,995 impressions
Hey everybody, it's Governor Gavin Newsom here in Michigan.
But you know who else is here in Michigan?
The DeVos family -- investing millions and millions of dollars to flip Michigan from blue to red.
And people like Elon Musk, who are coming in and looking to invest in Republicans.
But we have Jocelyn Benson. She knows how to get it done, but she needs your help.
We have a chance to keep Michigan blue. Make a donation today:
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Jocelyn Benson for Governorfrom 2026-08-11 to 2026-08-215 variantsspend $1,900–2,39546,000–58,995 impressions
Hi there! It's Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear.
I am 100% in support of Jocelyn Benson.
She has my full endorsement, and she needs yours, too!
So we need you to chip in right now. This is going to be an expensive race, but she can, and she will win with your help. Let's get this done!
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid posts that ran in MI and name a candidate, from advertisers that aren't part of this race: news-style pages, campaigns for other offices, and others. They're shown here for completeness and not counted with the ads above. We show the same technique analysis; their claims are not checked.
Good Goose Gazette: news-style page
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-072 variantsspend $0–1984,000–5,998 impressions
🚨 Rep. John James, the Republican nominee for Michigan governor, called for removing what he described as harmful pesticides and synthetic dyes from food in a campaign video outlining his health and agriculture platform.
James also advocated regenerative farming, stronger farm-to-table supply chains and better school food. His claim that harmful exposures from birth drive rising health care costs was not independently established by the sources reviewed. #MichiganPolitics #FoodPolicy #Agriculture 👇
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-09-29 to 2026-10-062 variantsspend $0–1985,000–6,998 impressions
🚨 Michigan Rep. Rachelle Smit, Chair of the House Election Integrity Committee and a former township clerk in Martin Township, testified at a legislative hearing that a deceased voter she personally removed from her township's rolls was later reinstated by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office.
Smit said a family member who died nearly 20 years ago was re-registered around the 2020 election cycle, received mailed ballot applications without authorization from local clerks, and was issued an early voting card during the most recent cycle, which Smit said she can physically produce as evidence.
Benson, testifying at the hearing on House Bill 4765, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship and photo ID to vote, said every system has some errors and pointed to existing safeguards, noting, "You can ask NASA." Benson is term-limited as Secretary of State and is the 2026 Democratic nominee for Michigan Governor.
Smit has been a persistent critic of Benson's office, accusing it of obstructing the committee's work. Benson's office reports purging over 800,000 outdated voter records since 2019.
What questions do you have about how deceased voters end up back on the rolls, and what safeguards do you think should be in place? 👇
#Michigan #ElectionIntegrity #VoterRolls #MichiganPolitics #HouseBill4765 #Breaking
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-09-10 to 2026-09-152 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
🚨 Michigan's auditor general found 403 voter registrations canceled or rejected for citizenship reasons between 2022 and 2026, yet Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is calling it proof the system works.
Benson, also a Democratic candidate for Michigan governor, appeared on a Sunday news program where anchor Margaret Brennan pressed her directly: "I know that in the last election, Michigan ended up finding non-citizens who did vote. There were 22 cases under review. Your attorney general has charged six people with those election law violations." Benson argued the small numbers show election officials are being proactive. A state deputy secretary noted a 2024 audit flagged citizenship issues with 16 people out of 5.7 million voters, with cases referred to the Michigan Attorney General.
The timeline tells a more complicated story. Benson testified before Congress in September 2024 that "there is no evidence that noncitizens are voting." A month later, a Chinese national cast an illegal ballot. By April 2025, Benson acknowledged 15 others likely voted illegally in the 2024 General Election. Most recently, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged five noncitizens for allegedly voting illegally in that same election. A separate 347 registrations from 2022 to 2026 were also canceled for "registered in error" reasons, though the number involving noncitizens is not fully clear.
With the 2026 midterms approaching and a federal appeals court blocking the Trump administration's attempt to obtain Michigan's unredacted voter rolls, the debate over how clean the rolls actually are is only heating up. Do you think the number of flagged registrations is small enough to call the system a success, or does it raise bigger questions? 👇
#Michigan #VoterRolls #JocelynBenson #ElectionIntegrity #2026Midterms #Breaking
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-08-312 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
🚨 Michigan Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. John James says that if elected governor, girls in Michigan would compete only against other girls in school sports, citing fair competition and safe locker rooms as the fall high school sports season gets underway.
James, who secured the GOP nomination and now faces Democratic opponent Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the November 3 general election, is making transgender sports policy a central campaign issue. If elected, he would become Michigan's first Black governor.
Michigan currently has no statewide ban on transgender athlete participation in school sports. The Michigan High School Athletic Association says its transgender eligibility policy is required under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, and that any change would need to come from the state Legislature. In the past five to six years, the MHSAA has processed only two transgender athlete waivers out of more than 170,000 high school athletes statewide.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled 6-3 that state laws banning males from competing in female sports do not violate Title IX, and a Trump executive order directs the federal government to revoke funding from programs that allow transgender athletes to participate. Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, amended in 2023 to include gender identity protections, currently stands in direct conflict with that federal order and with James's stated position.
Where do you stand on transgender athlete eligibility in high school sports? 👇
#JohnJames #Michigan #MichiganGovernor #GirlsSports #MichiganPolitics #Breaking
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-09-012 variantsspend $0–198200–1,998 impressions
Democratic Governor candidate Jocelyn Benson has selected State Senator Winnie Brinks as her running mate.
Brinks is the current Majority Leader of the Michigan Senate and has had a contentious relationship with the Republican majority House and Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer at times.
Do you think Brinks is a good choice for Lieutenant Governor?
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-08-312 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
🚨 Rep. John James has challenged Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to five debates for the Michigan governor's race, accepting confirmed invitations from WOOD TV in Grand Rapids, WDIV in Detroit, and the Michigan Debate Commission in Ann Arbor, while negotiating two additional forums. Benson has publicly committed to two televised debates.
James is pressing Benson on her past board membership at the Southern Poverty Law Center from 2014 to 2019. A Department of Justice indictment alleges the SPLC secretly funneled more than $3 million in donated funds to members of the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and other extremist groups, while publicly claiming to oppose white supremacy. The Michigan House Oversight Committee also released emails suggesting Benson maintained ties to the SPLC after taking office in 2019.
Benson is also facing at least four racial discrimination lawsuits filed by current and former Black employees of the Michigan Department of State. The suits allege a racially hostile workplace, retaliation, and preferential treatment for white employees. In August 2025, her office reached a $775,000 separation agreement with former employee Angela Harness, who had filed a notice of intent to sue over similar allegations. Benson's office has denied the claims.
Adding another layer, Benson is currently overseeing Michigan's election process as Secretary of State while simultaneously running as the Democratic nominee for governor. James won the Republican nomination after the August 4 primary, defeating businessman Perry Johnson. Cook Political Report rates the race as leaning toward Benson heading into November.
Do you think five debates is the right number for a race this consequential? 👇
#MichiganGovernor #JohnJames #JocelynBenson #MichiganPolitics #MI2026 #Breaking
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-08-312 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
🚨 Rep. John James says Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson allowed hundreds of noncitizens onto jury rolls and voter rolls while simultaneously overseeing elections in which she herself is a candidate.
In a television interview, the Trump-endorsed Republican nominee for Michigan governor laid out a detailed case against Benson's record. In the first quarter of 2026 alone, Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini flagged 198 noncitizens pulled for jury duty from Michigan's driver's license database. Seven of those individuals held active voter registrations. On top of that, 640 self-reported noncitizens were summoned for jury duty in 2025, 18 of whom were registered to vote. Benson testified before Congress in September 2024 that "there is no evidence that noncitizens are voting," but a month later a Chinese national cast an illegal ballot in the 2024 election. By April 2025, Benson had confirmed at least 16 noncitizens likely cast illegal votes in the 2024 General Election.
James also pointed to six criminal illegal immigrants listed in a DHS "Worst of the Worst" database who were arrested in Michigan yet held active voter registrations, including two who voted in multiple elections. The Department of Justice has warned that any chief election officer who "knowingly retains noncitizens on the state's voter registration list or facilitates noncitizens in receiving and casting ballots" could face criminal charges. Benson, term-limited as Secretary of State, is running for governor in 2026 while still serving as Michigan's top election official. James, a West Point graduate and Army combat veteran who logged over 750 combat hours flying Apache helicopters in Iraq, won the Republican primary on August 4 and faces Benson in the November 3 general election. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report currently rates the race as leaning toward Benson.
Should a sitting Secretary of State be permitted to oversee elections in which she is a candidate? 👇
#MichiganGovernor #JohnJames #JocelynBenson #VoterRoll #ElectionIntegrity #Breaking
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-24 to 2026-08-312 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
🚨 John James has selected Rep. Jay DeBoer as his running mate, and here is everything you need to know about the pick.
Rep. DeBoer represents Michigan's 63rd House District, covering parts of St. Clair and Macomb Counties. But his government experience runs much deeper than his time in Lansing. Before winning his State House seat, he spent more than a decade as the St. Clair County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Rep. DeBoer is also a small business owner in the engineered lumber industry, giving him experience in both the public and private sectors. He was elected to the State House in 2022 and won re-election in 2024. He currently serves as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, where he has focused on investigating and scrutinizing state government operations.
James says he chose Rep. DeBoer because he has run a business, served in local government, overseen elections, and knows how to work across party lines. What do you think of the pick? 👇
#JohnJames #JayDeBoer #Michigan #MichiganPolitics #Breaking #Election2026
Paid for by Good Goose Gazettefrom 2026-08-12 to 2026-08-182 variantsspend $0–1982,000–3,998 impressions
Congressman John James is projected to win the Republican Gubernatorial primary against businessman Perry Johnson.
James will face off against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the general election.
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