LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As Michigan primary absentee ballots begin landing in Michigan voters’ mailboxes, the Democratic race for a gubernatorial candidate just got a little more interesting. Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson has picked up the endorsement of The Detroit News, giving his campaign a high-profile boost as he tries to beat Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson in the August 4 Democratic primary.
The newspaper’s editorial board praised Swanson as a pragmatic leader with executive experience, describing him as a candidate focused on solving problems rather than scoring political points. While acknowledging Benson’s statewide profile, the board argued that her tenure has been marked by unnecessary political battles and concerns over transparency, concluding that Swanson is the stronger Democratic choice than Benson.
Not your typical endorsement.
MORE NEWS: DOJ Drags Michigan to Court Over SNAP Data Standoff
The endorsement is especially notable because The Detroit News editorial page has long leaned to the right and has typically backed Republican candidates for governor in the general election. However, it’s decision to endorse Democrat Chris Swanson in the Democratic primary suggests the editorial board believes he is the strongest candidate Democrats can put on the ballot.
On the Republican side, The Detroit News has endorsed U.S. Rep John James, calling him its choice for the Republican nomination for governor.
Endorsing Swanson as the Democratic gubernatorial choice in the primary is not without precedent. In 2018, they endorsed Gretchen Whitmer over Abdul El-Sayed and Shri Thanedar. However, during the general election, they endorsed Republican candidate Bill Schuette.
What they say.
The Detroit News endorsement reads: “Michigan won’t find the change it must have from within the same leadership team that has guided it to the bottom” and went on to say that “Benson has shown a penchant for operating in the dark.”
About Swanson, they say, “Swanson is executive-minded and results-oriented. He would not likely tolerate underperformance in his administration. He has spent 34 years in law enforcement and has managed his department with integrity and efficiency.” They also point out, “Swanson is a moderate in a Democratic Party that is increasingly under the sway of its far-left wing.”
Swanson supporters.
The Detroit News endorsement adds to what has become a growing list of supporters for Swanson. Earlier this month, Swanson received the backing of the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, one of the state’s largest construction unions. He also picked up the endorsement of the Teamsters, whose president, Sean O’Brien, called Swanson the candidate for working people.
MORE NEWS: MiLEAP Pushes Back on Woolford’s Child Care Fraud Claims
Swanson’s coalition extends beyond newspaper editorial boards and labor unions though. He has also won over a constituency that can’t cast a ballot: Michigan’s pets. Earlier this year, Swanson made animal protection a centerpiece of his campaign, pledging tougher penalties for animal cruelty, stronger enforcement against neglect and abuse, and expanded support for law enforcement investigations involving animals. It’s the kind of platform that earns tail wags instead of campaign donations – and while dogs and cats don’t vote, the people who love them certainly do.
No debates.
Whether the endorsements from unions, editorial boards and even animal lovers translate into primary votes remains to be seen. One thing voters won’t be getting before they cast their ballots, however, is a chance to see the two leading Democratic candidates face off on a debate stage.
With just five weeks remaining before the August 4 primary, Democratic voters have yet to see a head-to-head debate between Benson and Swanson, and none are currently scheduled. The most notable missed opportunity came in early June, when Swanson participated in a televised debate hosted by FOX 2 while Benson declined to attend, opting instead for a previously scheduled Detroit Federation of Teachers event despite having received the debate invitation more than two months earlier.
Benson later said she had already participated in several candidate forums and looked forward to debating the Republican nominee after the primary. So unless something changes in the next few weeks, Democratic voters won’t be seeing the race’s two Democratic candidates share the same debate stage before they choose their nominee.
