ICYMI: Benson Has Strongest Fundraising Haul of the Field, Most Cash on Hand

July 25, 2025

Today, after all candidates filed Benson Campaign Manager Nikki Goldschein released the following statement:

“Today’s fundraising reports make clear that Jocelyn Benson is the strongest candidate to win the Democratic primary for Governor and take on any candidate — Republican or Independent — in November 2026. I’m proud this campaign is fueled by the people – over 27,000 individuals from every one of Michigan’s 83 counties – who believe in Jocelyn’s vision for making Michigan a place where everyone can afford to live and thrive, not by wealthy corporate executives and special interest groups. We enter this next phase of the election cycle with more funds raised and more cash on hand than any other candidate for governor. And we are just getting warmed up.”

[Dave Eggert, 7/24/2025]

“I’m really proud of that. But what I’m most proud of is what is represents — that I didn’t get to this number by taking corporate PAC (political action committee) donations. I didn’t get to this number by only getting money from rich billionaires from around the country and from around the state of Michigan,” the second-term secretary of state said in a news conference at Teamsters Local 243, later saying: “What that shows to me is that we’ve got not only the resources to get on the ballot and to make this case to people all throughout Michigan, but that we’ve got people behind us helping us get those resources and in a historic way.”

[…]

State Rep. Julie Brixie, a Benson supporter, said Benson “is the strongest Democrat in this race, and it’s not even close.”

The Hill: Benson raises more than $3.5M in Michigan governor campaign

[Julia Manchester, 7/24/2025]

The fundraising haul is more than double the $1.5 million Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) raised at this point in 2017 after announcing her first gubernatorial bid in January of that year.

The haul also puts Benson ahead of her opponents in the state’s Democratic gubernatorial primary: Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II’s campaign said he raised more than $750,000, while former Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said his campaign has raised more than $1 million. Gilchrist jumped into the primary in March, and Swanson announced his bid in February.

Michigan Advance: Benson raises massive $3.5M gubernatorial war chest since launching campaign

[Ben Solis, 7/24/2025]

Benson was joined Thursday by Democratic state officials including Rep. Julie Brixie of Okemos, Rep. Jimmie Wilson Jr. of Ypsilanti and Rep. Joey Andrews of St. Joseph.

Brixie said Benson’s work has resonated with Michiganders in all areas of the state and that she is the only Democrat in the race who can win the general election, which at present is a three-way race between the eventual Democratic and Republican nominees and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat who is running as an independent.

“She outraised both of her Democratic primary opponents combined, and not even by a little,” Brixie said. “She’s doubled them. That kind of grassroots, institutional support doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when the candidate is serious, prepared and well respected all across Michigan.”