Benson, James tackle affordability, federal relations at first gubernatorial debate

Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James faced off in their first gubernatorial debate in Grand Rapids, clashing over tariffs, immigration enforcement and energy costs. Benson said Trump-era tariffs cost Michigan households $5,600 each, more than any other state, and blamed James for not fighting them; James said he never voted to increase tariffs on Canada and introduced a Trade Act he says will protect jobs, though the bill has not actually been introduced because Congress is out of session.

Benson proposed a subnational trade agreement with Canada to exempt direct goods from tariffs, citing New York's Kathy Hochul as having already done something similar. Reporting found no evidence such a New York-Canada agreement actually exists. James countered that past subnational deals failed to bring jobs to Michigan and noted several Republican-led states outperform Michigan on exports.

On immigration, James said stronger local enforcement would make ICE's presence unnecessary; Benson accused federal agents of using their authority to terrorize communities and pledged to use every legal tool against the administration. Both candidates said they support suspending state and federal gas taxes as prices climb amid the continuing war in Iran.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.