JOCELYN BENSON

Jocelyn was appointed dean of Wayne State University Law School when she was just 35 years old, becoming the youngest woman to lead a top 100 law school in United States history.

Author of "State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process," Jocelyn has held the office of the 43rd Secretary of State of Michigan as a Democrat since 2019. She gained national attention for her role in the 2020 election, having implemented significant election and customer service reforms that streamlined registration, maintained accurate voter rolls, and facilitated voting access across the state.

She played a pivotal role in the 2020 election, overseeing a historic turnout and countering baseless fraud allegations. Trump then criticized her harshly, calling for her arrest and execution in a public statement. Since then, she and her office have received threats through voicemails, emails, social media, and in person—including when armed demonstrators gathered outside her home while she and her son were putting up Christmas decorations.

When questioned about the event, she responded, "My job as the state's chief election officer is to protect and defend our voters, every single one of them, regardless of how they vote." While she articulated her thoughts with characteristic resolve, her heart was primarily focused on her young son.

Throughout her tenure as Secretary of State, Jocelyn has built coalitions across Michigan's diverse communities to ensure that voting rights and civic participation extend to all residents. She has partnered with community organizations, faith leaders, and advocacy groups serving communities of color to address barriers to voter registration and access. By establishing satellite offices in underserved neighborhoods, offering materials in multiple languages, and extending hours to accommodate working families, she demonstrated that election administration could be a tool for inclusion rather than exclusion. Her collaborative approach brought together unlikely allies—from disability rights advocates to student organizers to rural community leaders—all united around the principle that democracy works best when everyone can participate.

Jocelyn's commitment to creating opportunities for marginalized communities extends beyond voting rights. She has worked to ensure that driver's license facilities and state services are accessible in communities of color that have historically been underserved by government infrastructure. Recognizing that access to identification documents is often a barrier to employment, housing, and education, she prioritized expanding services in Detroit and other urban centers with large populations of color. Her reforms have helped thousands of Michiganders gain the documentation they need to access economic opportunities, while her partnerships with community-based organizations have created pathways for residents to engage with state government in meaningful ways. Her work reflects a deep understanding that true equity requires meeting people where they are and building systems that serve everyone, not just those with privilege and resources.

Undeterred, and never one to back down from a fight, she persists. In January 2025, she announced her run for governor of Michigan in the November 2026 election. She believes it is her responsibility to ensure that everyone gets a fair shot in life and that leaders should be transparent and accountable to the people they represent.