MI-GOV: Jocelyn Benson leads governor's race in fundraising in new reports

Lansing — Democrat Jocelyn Benson raised the most money of the candidates running to be Michigan's next governor over the final two months of 2025, while Republican Mike Cox had the most cash still available to spend, according to disclosures that were due Monday.

The new reports detailed fundraising from Oct. 21 through Dec. 31 and showed an evolving race for Michigan's top political office, with some candidates building financial stockpiles, a sign of strength, and others now spending more money than they're bringing in, a potential signal of weakness.

Benson, the current secretary of state from Detroit, collected $995,495 — the most of the gubernatorial candidates — and spent $422,644 over the final reporting period of 2025. Her campaign had $3.6 million available to spend to start 2026.

"Michiganders are rallying behind Jocelyn Benson to fight for the future of our state,” said Nikki Goldschein, Benson's campaign manager. "She’s the only candidate in this race who won’t bend the knee to anyone, no matter how powerful they are, who threatens the rights and freedoms of our citizens."




https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2026/02/02/michigan-governor-fundraising-jocelyn-benson-mike-cox-duggan-john-james-aric-nesbitt/88475639007/