LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Ahead of a nationally watched bid to become
Michigan’s next governor
, Democrat
Jocelyn Benson
is releasing a memoir this month that includes her first public discussion of a miscarriage she had about eight years ago — an experience she says will shape her commitment to increasing access to reproductive healthcare in the swing state.
Benson,
Michigan’s secretary of state
She is one among many candidates vying to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer and stands out as the sole female contender at this point.
Before the release of her political memoir titled “The Purposeful Warrior” on Tuesday, Benson spoke with The Associated Press about how experiencing a miscarriage heightened her appreciation for readily available reproductive healthcare during challenging times. She expressed her desire to ensure this support for the state should she be elected.
“It opened my eyes to the need to not just protect reproductive freedom and rights, but actually make sure they’re real,” said Benson.
Personal stories shaping policy
In a chapter entitled “Grit and Grace,” Benson describes finding out she was pregnant shortly after her son’s first birthday and shortly before she launched her bid for
secretary of state
In 2017, waves of anxiety about the timing mixed with joy at becoming a mother of two. However, just one day later, she started to experience a miscarriage.
During her eighth week of pregnancy, she documented her visit to the doctor when she was informed about her choices: surgery, medication, or termination due to fetal demise. She also detailed what would happen as her miscarriage progressed. The next day, she naturally completed her miscarriage.
“The emotional effect of that remains with you throughout your entire life,” she told AP.
Benson mentioned that she grappled with feelings of shame and guilt, which she discovered are common experiences for numerous women.
“I wish to share my story to convey that it’s alright to also tell your own,” she stated.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade, female candidates running for public positions have opened up about their experiences with miscarriages and terminations.
Democrats
and
Republicans
alike have spoken about their pregnancies as reproductive and maternal health care became a central concern for Americans.
In Michigan,
voters approved a ballot measure in 2022
To safeguard abortion rights, which was part of an election where Democrats won various statewide and legislative races. However, Benson stated that this protection falls short.
The first step is to motivate skilled doctors to practice in Michigan, she stated. The second step involves strengthening reproductive healthcare services in rural parts of the state, with her suggestion being mobile clinics capable of reaching isolated regions.
She noted the recent closure of three Planned Parenthood locations in Michigan, including its only location in the Upper Peninsula. Some Planned Parenthood locations provide abortions in addition to services such as birth control, disease screenings and miscarriage management.
Planned Parenthood of Michigan leaders cited financial challenges exacerbated by
a freeze of federal dollars
for the closures. Federal law already prohibited taxpayer dollars from paying for most abortions.
A governor’s race watched nationally
Centering reproductive rights in the 2026 primary will be another test of the issue’s importance to Democratic voters. Benson will face
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II
and
Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson
In the gubernatorial primary, Whitmer, who is term-limited, has stated that she does not intend to offer her endorsement in the election.
On the Republican side,
U.S. Rep. John James
,
State Senate Deputy Leader Aaric Nesbitt
and
former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox
are competing for the nomination and probably also the support of President Donald Trump.
And the twist —
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan
, a longtime Democrat, is pursuing the office as an independent. The move comes as Democrats lost considerable ground in the 2024 election. The state swung back to Trump in the 2024 election and Republicans gained a majority in the
state House of Representatives
, dividing control of the legislative body.
In her memoir, which covers stories from her time as Michigan’s top elections officer during the 2020 election and her legal work beforehand, Benson critiqued Duggan regarding his management of the 2018 gubernatorial primary. She accused him of failing to back Whitmer initially and instead urging male candidates to enter the race, referencing subsequent reports in The New Yorker.
“I will always remember the message those efforts conveyed to women throughout our state,” Benson stated. She pointed out that her primary campaign became intertwined with Whitmer’s due to their shared gender.
Benson stated, “The argument was essentially that having more than one woman on the ticket simultaneously seems implausible.”
Benson’s memoir initially came to light through reports about Duggan made by the
Detroit News
A representative from Duggan’s campaign informed the publication that the Detroit mayor backed Whitmer in the Democratic primary instead of choosing between two male candidates.
___
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Isabella Volmert, The Associated Press
