John James

Samantha Sayles, Senior Digital Producer

2026 gubernatorial candidates John James and Jocelyn Benson will be facing off in a debate Thursday night, hosted by WDIV.

Local 4’s morning co-anchor and Flashpoint host Jason Colthorp will moderate the debate, scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The candidates will be asked about topics Michigan voters care most about, such as gas prices, data centers, the ongoing tariff war with Canada, education, and more.

They will also answer a viewer-submitted question.

Candidates will have 60 seconds to respond to a question. They will also have 30 seconds for the opposing candidate to respond and 15 seconds for clarification, at the moderator’s discretion.

You can watch the debate live when it begins at 8 p.m. at the top of this article. You can also watch the debate on Local 4 and Local 4+ on Oct. 15.

The debate has ended. Here’s a look at the timeline of events:

Benson begins first to deliver her closing statement, followed by James.

A drawing was held on Oct. 7 to determine the order of closing statements. Identical ping-pong balls, numbered 1 and 2, were drawn by a WDIV representative via a Zoom meeting with the campaigns. Whoever drew 1 will deliver the first closing statement. Each candidate will be given 1 minute and 30 seconds for their closing statement.

Candidates were asked the following question, submitted by the Michigan Debate Commission: Is there an idea or policy position your opponent holds that you think is right on, or at least pretty close to, Something you would enact yourself if you win in November?

Candidates appeared to disagree on each other’s policies, except on lowering healthcare and energy costs.

Candidates were asked about healthcare in Michigan, particularly Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, the largest insurer, was being sued by Michigan AG Dana Nessel. They were asked whether they planned to take on Blue Cross.

Candidates were asked how they would ease tensions with Canada, boost tourism, and mitigate the effects of the ongoing trade war.

Candidates were also asked if the governor has the authority to circumvent or diminish a federal tariff.

Context --> According to a recent WDIV/Detroit News poll, more than 60% of Michigan voters oppose the 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, and over 60% of Michigan voters believe the tariffs are bad for Michigan.

Candidates were asked to name three things they think they can do in 100 days to change Michigan’s average income.

Candidates were asked whether they would cut Michigan’s income or corporate tax, by how much, and what spending they would cut to pay for it.

Candidates answered a question submitted by a Local 4 viewer about property tax relief. Speaker Matt Hall promised some property tax relief, and Gov. Whitmer pushed hard to help seniors, but none of it came through. Candidates were asked whether they support any kind of property tax relief and how they would make up the lost revenue.

Benson said the state and local communities need a better revenue-sharing model. She mentioned the one-size-fits-all model and a weighted equity funding model to lower property taxes for families.

James said there needs to be a reform of the entire process of where people’s taxes are going.

Candidates were asked whether they favor more spending on students and teachers or accountability, and what consequences, if any, schools should face for consistently failing to improve. They were also asked what the state is doing wrong and what they would do to improve education in Michigan.

“Education is a basic, civil right,” James said. He said students should learn skilled trades before leaving high school. He also said there needs to be accountability so parents can understand how their children are doing in school. James said there needs to be more funding for accountability, and spending needs to be used more wisely.

Benson said she was a former teacher and said she has a 5-pillar plan to improve education in Michigan.

Candidates were asked why voters should trust either of them to make decisions on data centers that reflect what the residents want.

Context --> In a recent WDIV/Detroit News poll, a majority of Michigan voters are against construction of data centers.

Benson defended herself, saying that she and her family do not profit off data centers. She said she supports putting a moratorium on data centers in Michigan. Benson accused James of investing in data centers and voted against protecting residents’ right to have a voice in whether data centers are built.

James said Benson is fully involved in supporting and profiting from data centers. He said he has a five-part moratorium that prevents data centers from being built without an environmental guideline.

After the moratoriums end, Benson said she plans to put guardrails on companies.

“The locals come before Lansing,” James said, promising Michiganders a voice in whether data centers are built in the state. “It should be up to you.”

Candidates were asked what they would do to help Michigan’s most vulnerable citizens if they lose SNAP benefits.

“These are benefits that are required for our people,” James said. He said he would opt in to waivers to protect people in high-unemployment areas. He said Michigan needs to eliminate fraud and give benefits to those who need them most.

“Ensuring that food is affordable for everyone in our state is necessary, and the next governor has a moral responsibility to make that happen,” Benson said. She said she would work with local farmers to lower the cost of high-quality food for families. She also pointed blame at James for voting for cutting SNAP benefits. James then said he voted for the Farm Bill to support SNAP benefits.

Candidates were asked how they would lower gas prices in Michigan.

Benson pointed the blame for high gas prices at the war on Iran, claiming James supported it. She plans to look into reducing the federal gas tax by working with leaders in Lansing to figure out energy independence

James rebutted, saying he did not support the war. He said he called for the state and federal gas tax to be repealed. “Your pain is her plan,” James said, blaming Benson for supporting Michigan’s state gas tax.

“He’s all words and no action,” Benson said, saying James could work to repeal the gas tax.

Candidates were asked what they would do in their first year as governor to lower Michigan’s cost of living.

James focused on the high energy costs in the state. He blames Democrats, particularly Benson, for the jump in Michigan energy costs. He said he plans to roll back the “harmful” regulations.

Benson said she plans to lower healthcare costs for Michiganders by cutting medicine costs and passing tax credits. She also claimed James voted three times to raise healthcare costs. To reduce energy costs, she plans to ban profit-driven rate hikes and invest in clean energy infrastructure.

A drawing on Oct. 7 determined the order of opening statements. Identical ping-pong balls, numbered 1 and 2, were drawn by a WDIV representative via a Zoom meeting with the campaigns. Whoever had 1 will be the first person to deliver their opening statement. Each candidate will be given 1 minute and 30 seconds for their opening statement.

Candidates James and Benson individually take a tour of the studio ahead of the debate.

The campaigns for Benson and James picked which side the candidates will stand on for the debate.

Both candidates, Jocelyn Benson and John James, have arrived at Local 4.

Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Samantha Sayles is an Oakland University alumna who’s been writing Michigan news since 2022. Before joining the ClickOnDetroit team, she wrote stories for WILX in Lansing and WEYI in Flint.

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