Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson becomes the first major Democratic candidate to launch a bid to be Michigan's next governor.

Benson, a Democrat, is among the well-known politicians who have announced plans for the governor race in recent weeks. Republican legislator Aric Nesbitt announced his campaign Jan. 14; Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December that he would run as an independent.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that she is launching a campaign for governor.

Benson said she's running for governor to "bring real solutions, not political games, conspiracy theories, or inaction" to Lansing.

After an accidental post on social media Tuesday hinted at a gubernatorial run, Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson made her campaign official early Wednesday morning. Benson enters what is expected to be a highly contested race to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer who is in the middle of her second term.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for governor. She shared her intention to succeed Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday.

Democratic Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for governor of the all-important swing state.

The 47-year-old Democrat becomes the third major candidate to declare for the race to replace Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December that he would run as an independent and Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said earlier this month he would seek the Republican nomination.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced she will be running for governor in 2026. Benson, a Democrat, is the latest person to throw their name in the gubernatorial race.