Benson and James clash over Trump, data centers and taxes in first Michigan governor debate at WOOD-TV

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Rep. John James met Tuesday evening for their first televised debate in the race to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They exchanged policy attacks and personal jabs, and the discussion repeatedly returned to President Donald Trump.

The 90-minute debate at the WOOD-TV studio in Grand Rapids was the first direct meeting between Benson, the Democratic nominee, and James, the Republican nominee from Shelby Township. The two appeared separately at a Detroit Economic Club forum in September, but Tuesday was the first time they shared a stage.

Trump, who endorsed James in June, was not on the Nov. 3 ballot, but his name shaped much of the night. Benson repeatedly tied James to the president, saying he would not stand up to Trump and accusing him of backing policies that have raised prices for Michigan families. James, who earned Trump's endorsement after a competitive primary, said he had pushed back against the president on issues such as tariffs.

"I've stood up to the president many times," James said during an exchange over immigration and whether Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents would come to Michigan.

Benson accused James of not standing up to Trump in the past. James did not name any new examples beyond tariffs, and the two quickly moved to another topic.

The candidates clashed most sharply over data centers, a fast-moving issue in Michigan as developers pursue large projects that have drawn local opposition.

James attacked Benson over her husband's work with The Related Cos., one of the developers behind a controversial data center project in Saline Township. Benson's husband, Ryan Friedrichs, is a vice president of development at the company. Friedrichs has recused himself from Michigan projects, according to the campaign.

"This isn't some random donor. She's literally sleeping with this guy, and she wants to recuse herself from involvement," James told reporters after the debate.

Benson rejected the claim that her family had profited from the project.

"My family has not profited from data centers," she said. She turned the criticism back on James, saying he had voted to cut taxes for data center developers when he supported the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in Congress.

Both candidates said they support some form of moratorium on new data center development, though James offered fewer details about how his position would work in practice. The issue has drawn attention in communities like Saline Township, where township officials tried to block the project before developers sued to move it forward.

On health care, Benson called the issue the "defining issue" of the campaign. She criticized James for supporting the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cut federal Medicaid funding and added new work requirements and eligibility checks. James said he wants to preserve Medicaid for the people it was originally intended to serve, but neither candidate laid out a plan to raise state revenue to replace lost federal funding.

Benson said she would overhaul the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to make sure residents receive the benefits they are eligible for.

The candidates also split on education. James said he would bring back a third-grade reading law repealed by Whitmer that allowed students who failed a reading proficiency test to be held back. Benson said teachers, not politicians, should make those decisions.

On energy, Benson defended Michigan's clean energy law, which requires 100% of the state's energy to come from clean sources by 2040. She said the law would create jobs and help address climate change. James opposed the law, calling it a mandate that raises utility bills. Environmental groups say it will lower costs over time.

Taxes produced another divide. James repeated his plan to phase out Michigan's income tax, the state's largest source of revenue, but did not say how he would replace the lost money. Benson proposed targeted tax cuts, including a caregiver credit, and said she would conduct a broad review of how Michigan raises revenue.

The candidates also sparred over military service. Benson criticized James' past support for the Iran war and said it had contributed to higher fuel prices. James, an Army combat veteran who served in Iraq, said he had wrestled with those votes but maintained that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.

"I'm a combat veteran. I have been to war. She has not," James said.

Benson responded that she is married to an Army veteran who served in Afghanistan.

"And by the way, military spouses serve also, congressman," she said.

By the end of the night, both candidates had stuck closely to the messages they have used on the campaign trail. Benson promised to "drive down costs," "raise wages" and "make Michigan the best place in the nation to call home." James said Michigan needs change and pledged to serve voters across party lines.

The debate came with less than a month before the Nov. 3 general election. Whitmer cannot run again because of term limits. The race is one of several competitive governor's contests nationwide.

Neither candidate showed much distance from the leaders of their parties. Benson has Whitmer's endorsement and aligned with her on education and clean energy. James, who won Trump's endorsement in June, did not break with the president on most major issues and only cited tariffs as an example of independence.

The next debate, if one happens, has not been scheduled. The campaigns plan to spend the final weeks before the election focused on data centers, health care and cost-of-living issues, which both sides identified as top concerns for Michigan voters.