Michigan gubernatorial nominees John James, a Republican member of the U.S. House, and Jocelyn Benson, the state’s Democratic secretary of state, engaged in their first televised debate on Tuesday night in Grand Rapids. The candidates discussed policy shifts on topics including data centers and gas taxes. This event marked the first of two planned debates before the November 3 general election, with the next debate scheduled for October 15 in metro Detroit. Absentee voting is already underway, with over 201,000 Michiganders having cast ballots.
A notable policy shift from John James concerns a statewide moratorium on data centers. Following the debate, James clarified to reporters that such a moratorium would “not be on the table” if he were elected governor, emphasizing that decisions should be made by local communities, not Lansing. He stated, “This will be led by the locals and not by Lansing,” and added that “the moratorium should be imposed on Lansing, not the people.” This position represents a change from August, when his campaign indicated support for a moratorium until specific standards for local control, electricity use, and environmental protections were established. During the debate, Benson claimed James had voted multiple times to prevent local communities from having a say on data center development. While James did not cast votes on standalone bills limiting local control over data centers, he did vote for an early iteration of a bill that included a provision potentially allowing federal preemption of state and local regulations on artificial intelligence. A bipartisan group representing state legislatures warned this provision could undermine local authority over data centers, though it was ultimately not included in the final version of the law.
Another shift came from Benson, who stated Tuesday night she is now “open” to suspending Michigan’s 52-cent gas tax. Previously, Benson advocated for a federal gas tax suspension but cautioned against a state holiday, suggesting it could “potentially blow in the state budget.” Republican House Speaker Matt Hall has indicated that calls to suspend the state tax are unrealistic given its role in a bipartisan road funding agreement. During the debate, James incorrectly asserted that Michigan could afford a gas tax holiday if the state’s “rainy day” savings account had not been depleted by Democrats. In reality, the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund has nearly doubled under the current Democratic administration. A proposal by Senate Democrats this year to withdraw funds was opposed by House Republicans and did not pass.
The candidates also debated foreign policy and its economic impact. Benson claimed James had voted six times in support of actions concerning Iran that directly led to increased gas prices. James did not vote to initiate war but has voted against six resolutions aimed at ending the conflict. Most recently, on September 15, he opposed a measure to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress explicitly authorized a declaration of war, with exceptions for self-defense. James acknowledged his struggle with this vote but emphasized that “Iran must not have a nuke.”
Tariffs and trade with Canada, Michigan’s largest trading partner, also drew contention. Benson asserted that President Trump’s tariffs were costing the average Michigan household $5,600, a figure derived from a study by the National Taxpayers Union Foundation that estimated the total cost of all Trump tariffs, not solely those related to Canada. Benson claimed she could eliminate these costs, stating she would call Canada and negotiate a contract between Michigan and Canada to remove tariffs on her first day in office. However, the U.S. Constitution grants Congress the power to levy tariffs and approve treaties, making it unlikely that a state-level agreement could overrule federally imposed tariffs. When questioned by reporters, Benson cited Governor Kathy Hochul of New York as an example, saying Hochul “has already done this.” However, Hochul’s agreement with the Canadian province of Ontario was a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy, not trade. Benson further criticized James, linking him to the tariffs. James countered, stating he had “never voted to increase tariffs on Canada.” While he did not vote to increase tariffs, James voted against a resolution in February that sought to terminate the national emergency declared by President Trump to impose tariffs on Canada. This resolution passed the House but was considered symbolic.
James also highlighted Michigan’s economic standing, claiming the state ranked 42nd in infrastructure, 43rd in economy, 45th in education, and 46th overall, suggesting a decline over the past eight years. These rankings are largely consistent with a recent report by U.S. News & World Report, which placed Michigan 46th overall, down from 33rd in 2019. James further stated that the median household income in Michigan is $9,000 less than the national median. These income figures are accurate, with Michigan ranking 40th in per capita income and 13% below the national average in 2024, according to a report by the Michigan Future Inc. think tank, which noted this as the lowest per capita income ranking for Michigan compared to the nation ever.
Regarding personal finances, Benson claimed James had become a multimillionaire by buying stocks in data center companies that he regulates. While James’s net worth has grown considerably since joining Congress in 2023, largely stemming from a Detroit-based logistics company founded by his father, there is no evidence that investments in data center companies were the primary driver of his wealth increase. James has disclosed purchasing stocks in tech companies involved with data centers. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, his jurisdiction covers electricity, not direct regulation of data centers themselves.
The second debate between James and Benson is scheduled for October 15.
