LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is five months into her gubernatorial campaign and it is already riddled with missteps.
Benson’s latest blunder stems from a Memorial Day post Benson wrote on X:
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As a military spouse I’ve seen first hand the sacrifices our military service members, their families, and veterans make every day. Today – and every day – may we commit to serve and protect them as much as they serve and protect us.
From my family to yours – happy Memorial Day. pic.twitter.com/4Gxiyu9iBz
— Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) May 26, 2025
According to the National Archives, Memorial Day “began as a way to honor those who died in the Civil War and has become a day to honor all American veterans who gave their lives in sacrifice to our nation.” The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs clarifies the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, which is held on Nov. 11.
It states, “Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military – in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served – not only those who died – have sacrificed and done their duty.”
Social media pushed back against Benson’s post, saying a wife of a military member should be able to distinguish those facts.
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Try a Civics refresher course on what Memorial Day is.
I know you want everyone to know about your military sacrifices but today isn’t all about you.
Grow up.— Jeff B (@FarmBoyJeff1) May 26, 2025
Wow! As a wife of a military person one would think you’d understand what Memorial Day represents. Here’s a hint. It has nothing to do with you.
— Luckiest Man Alive (@lawrence_mosier) May 27, 2025
Happy? You are so out of touch.
— Pencil Neck’s DSLs (@Kraken_Addict) May 26, 2025
Benson, a Democrat, declared her candidacy for governor in January. Since that time, she’s been embroiled in a back-and-forth with the Michigan House over releasing election training materials. After months of pushback from Benson, the House issued a subpoena for unredacted documents. Benson released some documents but House leadership said not the requested ones.
Last week, Benson said she’d continue to protect “sensitive information” and said a mediator should be called in to settle the issue.
In addition, Attorney General and fellow Democrat Dana Nessel found Benson did violate campaign finance law when she declared her candidacy in the lobby of the Richard H. Austin Building in Lansing. However, the law does not allow for civil or criminal consequences.
