Michigan Governor Voter Guide: Benson, James, Hudson, Brandenburg and Campbell on Education and Taxes
Five candidates are on the ballot for governor of Michigan on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026: Democrat Jocelyn Benson, Republican John James, Libertarian Anthony Hudson, U.S. Taxpayers Party nominee Donna Brandenburg and Green Party nominee Douglas Campbell. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited.
The Digital Free Press voter guide video compares the five side by side on education and taxes. Here is where each one stands, based on the video, the candidates' own words and Michigan reporting.
Jocelyn Benson (Democrat)
Benson has been Michigan secretary of state since 2019 and is a former dean of Wayne State University Law School, according to the Michigan Advance. Her running mate is state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks.
On education, the video says Benson's plan would raise educator pay and expand early learning. Her campaign calls it a plan to "transform our public schools," and the Michigan Independent reports it includes statewide tracking of reading rates, more support for educators and more career and technical education.
On taxes and costs, the video says Benson proposes a drug affordability board and a $5,000 caregiver tax credit. Her campaign site pledges "a $5,000 caregiver tax credit," and the Michigan Independent reports she would create an independent Prescription Drug Affordability Board.
John James (Republican)
James is in his second term representing Michigan's 10th Congressional District, and his running mate is state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, according to the Michigan Advance.
On education, the video says James would opt Michigan into a federal tax credit that funds scholarships for tutoring and special needs services. The Michigan Independent reports he would opt the state into the new Education Freedom Tax Credit, which he voted for in Congress and which gives taxpayers a credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship groups, and would expand charter school options.
On taxes and costs, the video says James wants lower taxes, fewer regulations and less wasteful spending. His campaign site says, "We are eliminating the state income tax," and he has proposed cutting the 4.25% tax by about a quarter in his first year, paid for partly by cutting waste, according to Americans for Tax Reform.
Anthony Hudson (Libertarian)
Hudson is a Genesee County truck driver who switched from the Republican Party in February. In September the Michigan Libertarian Party disavowed his campaign; Hudson said he was "perfectly comfortable" with that, the Michigan Advance reported. He remains on the ballot.
On education, the video says Hudson would merge Michigan's 536 school districts into 83 county districts. His League of Women Voters answer says consolidating them would "eliminate the bureaucracy and the overpaid administrators."
On taxes, the video says Hudson wants to eliminate property taxes and the state income tax. His campaign site lists both as top priorities, along with returning local control.
Donna Brandenburg (U.S. Taxpayers)
Brandenburg is a Byron Center business owner who chairs the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan.
On education, the video says Brandenburg wants local control, teacher pay tied to results and limits on cell phones in class. Her League of Women Voters answers support pay for teachers who produce results and removing cell phones from classrooms.
On taxes, the video says Brandenburg wants to end the property tax and income tax and end corporate subsidy deals. Her League of Women Voters answer calls for ending "unlawful property tax and income tax," and she proposes ending state corporate incentive deals.
Douglas Campbell (Green)
Campbell is the Green Party nominee, with running mate Bobbie Clay, according to the Michigan Advance. He was also the party's candidate for governor in 2002 and 2006.
On education, the video says Campbell would eliminate charter schools and fund schools through a statewide budget. He proposes ending the charter system and replacing local property tax funding with a statewide school budget.
On taxes and costs, the video says Campbell backs a universal basic income and a not-for-profit state health system. He supports a universal basic income and direct public hiring.
Where to Follow the Candidates
Jocelyn Benson: @JocelynBenson on X and @jocelynbensonhq on TikTok. John James: @JohnJamesMI on X and @johnjamesmi on TikTok. Anthony Hudson: @Hudson4Governor on X and @hudson2k24 on TikTok. Donna Brandenburg: @brandenburg4mi on X and @donnabrandenburg on TikTok. Douglas Campbell: no verified campaign account found.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. This guide is for information only; The Digital Free Press does not endorse any candidate.
Yossi Schmidt, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, The Digital Free Press
Hold Everyone Accountable.
Sources: Michigan Advance, Voter Guide, Governor: https://michiganadvance.com/voter-guides/contests/governor/ ; Michigan Advance, "Michigan Libertarian Party disavows its own gubernatorial nominee" (Sept. 29, 2026): https://michiganadvance.com/2026/09/29/michigan-libertarian-party-disavows-its-own-gubernatorial-nominee/ ; Michigan Independent, "Michigan governor candidates offer competing proposals on healthcare and education": https://michiganindependent.com/politics/michigan-governor-candidates-offer-competing-proposals-on-healthcare-and-education/ ; League of Women Voters VOTE411, Michigan Governor: https://onyourballot.vote411.org/m/race-detail.do?id=25687753 ; Americans for Tax Reform, "Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate John James Reiterates Calls to Eliminate State Income Tax": https://atr.org/michigan-gubernatorial-candidate-john-james-reiterates-calls-to-eliminate-state-income-tax/ ; Ballot Atlas, Donna Brandenburg: https://ballotatlas.org/candidates/donna-brandenburg/ ; Ballot Atlas, Douglas Campbell: https://ballotatlas.org/candidates/douglas-campbell/ ; Jocelyn Benson campaign: https://www.jocelynbenson.com/issues/Affordability ; Anthony Hudson campaign: https://electanthonyhudson.com/ ; John James campaign: https://johnjamesmi.com/
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