Governor
Jocelyn Benson
Democrat
John James
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Jocelyn Benson
Benson launched a statewide “Costs Down, Wages Up” tour focused on lowering everyday costs while raising pay.
Benson: Jocelyn Benson campaign website press release, 6/29/26.
John James
James voted for an amendment that would have banned state and local laws protecting communities from unsafe and unethical uses of artificial intelligence. That preemption would reach exactly the kind of state-level algorithmic and surveillance pricing protections other states are now enacting — a vote to strip Michigan of the authority to act.
James: AFL-CIO Scorecard H.R. 1 Cruz Amendment, 5/22/25.
JOBS & WAGES
Jocelyn Benson
Benson supports expanding apprenticeships with more funding for “earn-while-you-learn” programs.
Benson’s running mate is state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, who presided over the Senate as it repealed Michigan’s right-to-work law and restored prevailing wage in 2023, and championed the repeal from the floor as chamber leader. Repealing the so-called “right-to-work” law will make it easier for workers to negotiate for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.
John James
James voted against the Protecting America’s Workforce Act, which would have restored collective bargaining rights to more than a million federal workers, and for the NDAA rule that stripped bargaining rights from Defense Department workers.
James voted for the Midnight Rules Relief Act, letting the federal government overturn worker protections in bulk without public input. In a post on X, he said he wants to make Michigan right-to-work again, calling it “a massive win for freedom.”
Health Care
Jocelyn Benson
Benson supports establishing an independent Prescription Drug Affordability Board to investigate manufacturers and reduce price hikes. She supports expanding access to low and no-cost health care services.
Benson: Jocelyn Benson campaign website press release, 7/7/26.
John James
James voted for federal cuts that threaten health coverage for 10 million Americans, including nearly 398,000 people in Michigan. The legislation also limits Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
James voted against extending the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that would have cut premium costs in half for 20 million Americans.
U.S. Senate
Abdul El-Sayed
Democrat
Mike Rogers
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed supports the government regulating monopolies and oligopolies so people are not forced to pay more or get paid less. Wants antitrust actually enforced.
El-Sayed wants federal money spent on Michigan families rather than sent overseas.
El-Sayed’s “AAA Plan” for seniors would eliminate cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries, lift the Social Security payroll tax cap so high earners pay in on all their income, and create a federal framework for state-level property tax freezes so older Michiganders can stay in their homes.
El-Sayed: Bridge Michigan, 7/27/2026; El-Sayed: Abdul for U.S. Senate, accessed 8/14/2026; El-Sayed: Abdul for U.S. Senate, 6/3/2026.
Mike Rogers
Rogers mocked Michiganders worried about their grocery bills — “Oh my gosh, coffee went up. You know, horror.” On tariffs raising prices, said, “The shoe is going to pinch every once in a while.” On gas prices, “we’re gonna be fine, we got plenty of oil.”
Rogers has no proposal to police what corporations charge. Denied that costs have gone up at all under the policies he supports, claiming “working families are not paying more” as inflation hit its highest level in years, and called it “a pretty optimistic time for Michigan and the economy.”
Rogers supported tariffs, calling them “masterful” and “an absolute win” even as they raised costs and hit Michigan manufacturing, and supported the war in Iran that pushed Michigan gas toward $5 a gallon. Supports the legislation that cut millions of dollars in SNAP funding that families relied on to buy groceries.
Rogers backs a law that hands special tax breaks to multi-millionaires like himself while cutting the programs Michigan seniors and working families depend on.
Rogers: Detroit Metro Times, 7/9/2026; Rogers: Meidas News, 12/22/2025; Twitter, @MichiganDems, 4/14/2026; Rogers: YouTube, The Grassroots Army, 4/10/2025; Michigan Democratic Party, 12/17/2025; Michigan Advance, 5/28/2026; WILX, 4/29/2026; Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 8/5/2026; Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, 8/5/2025; Rogers: American Journal News, 9/6/2024; Heartland Signal, 10/21/2025.
JOBS & WAGES
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed supports the PRO Act to protect workers fighting for fair wages , better benefits, and safer workplaces. He also supports protecting union pensions and retirement benefits, including protections for workers and retirees when companies go bankrupt, and banning corporate stock buybacks so companies invest more in workers.
Mike Rogers
In Congress, Rogers backed a plan to strip overtime pay from millions of workers, voted to repeal wage protections for construction workers, and voted against equal pay for women in 2007 and 2009.
Rogers: WDET, 6/12/2026; Michigan Advance, 3/10/2026; Michigan Advance, 1/30/2024; The Detroit News, 10/8/2024; Detroit Metro Times, 1/29/2026; Business Insider, 2/12/2024; The Michigan Independent, 7/18/2024; HR 2831, 7/31/2007; HR 11, 1/9/2009; HR 2660, 7/10/2003; HR 4923; Amendment 1013, 7/10/2014.
Health Care
Abdul El-Sayed
El-Sayed has pledged to repeal the cuts that are projected to kick nearly 398,000 people in Michigan off their health insurance and put rural hospitals at risk. As a doctor and Wayne County health director, he erased medical debt for upwards of 300,000 Michiganders.
El-Sayed wants to expand Medicare’s power to negotiate prices for every prescription drug, negotiate earlier after drugs reach the market, and extend negotiated prices to all patients rather than only those on Medicare. Supports public manufacturing of essential medicines like insulin and wants to end the pharmacy benefit managers that price-gouge patients while adding nothing.
El-Sayed: American Free Beacon, 7/30/2026; Americans for Tax Reform, 8/6/2026; KFF, 6/22/2026; The Michigan Independent, 7/21/2025; Bridge Detroit, 2/9/2024.
El-Sayed: Abdul for U.S. Senate, accessed 8/14/2026; NPR, 8/5/2026.
Mike Rogers
Rogers supports the federal legislation that threatens health coverage for 10 million Americans, including nearly 398,000 people in Michigan, and called it a “monumental victory” for working families. Michigan Affordable Care Act enrollment has since fallen 27%, and he opposed extending the subsidies that were keeping premiums down.
Rogers said he is “passionately against” Medicare negotiating lower drug prices, calling the policy “sugar high politics.” In Congress, he voted against the Affordable Care Act and against letting Medicare negotiate drug prices.
On new out-of-pocket costs, Rogers said that if you have to pay the doctor $50 for your annual physical, “that’s probably okay, right?”
Secretary of State
Garlin Gilchrist II
Democrat
Anthony Forlini
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Garlin Gilchrist II
Gilchrist supports using the Michigan Secretary of State’s regulatory authority over auto repair shops to crack down on price gouging. For most working families, the car is the second-biggest expense after housing.
As Lt. Governor, Gilchrist helped deliver the Working Families Tax Credit expansion, which quintupled Michigan’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit from 6% to 30% after it was gutted in 2011. It returned an average combined refund of $3,150 to roughly 700,000 families and reached nearly a million children — almost half the kids in Michigan. His words: “Despite Republican attacks on tax savings programs, we’ll continue to Stand Tall for Michigan and protect working families’ checkbooks.”
Gilchrist: Campaign website (‘Home’); Votebeat Michigan, 4/19/26; Michigan Department of State, Repair facilities; Gilchrist: Michigan Executive Office release, 6/18/2025; Macomb Daily, 4/7/23..
Anthony Forlini
Fornlini Has not commented on cost-of-living issues, including price gouging.
Forlini has no position on the Working Families Tax Credit or Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit.
PROTECTING THE VOTE
Garlin Gilchrist II
Gilchrist supports simplifying voter registration processes and protecting voter registration and license-plate data from surveillance by tech corporations.
“Garlin Gilchrist for Secretary of State,” accessed 9/3/26, GarlinGilchrist.com. 9. “Priorities,” accessed 9/3/26, Forliniforus.com.
Anthony Forlini
Forlini falsely identified U.S. citizens as noncitizens, which put eligible voters at risk of criminal investigation. Forlini supports measures that could make it harder for eligible Michigan voters to register.
“Secretary Benson: Macomb County clerk’s reckless accusations put eligible Michigan voters at risk,” 1/29/26, Michigan.gov; “What are Democrats’ and Republicans’ election priorities if they win control of Michigan state government?” 5/27/26, VoteBeat.org.
Congressional District 4
Sean McCann
Democrat
Bill Huizenga
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Sean McCann
McCann helped repeal the retirement tax and quintuple the Earned Income Tax Credit in Michigan. As Chairman of the State Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, he sponsored a bill to prevent surprise spikes in monthly utility bills.
McCann: Michigan Senate, SB 768, 2025-2026 Reg. Sess., introduced 1/15/26, Legislature.MI.gov; “Tax tips and resources,” 3/16/26, SenateDems.com.
Bill Huizenga
Huizenga has repeatedly voted in favor of policies that have caused the average family in his district to spend over $600 more on gas.
Huizenga: U.S. House, Roll Call 114, H.Con.Res. 40, 119th Cong., 4/16/26, Congress.gov; U.S. House, Roll Call 199, H.Con.Res. 86, 119th Cong., 6/3/26, Congress.gov.
QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Sean McCann
As a state senator, McCann voted to expand access to affordable, quality health care for working families. He opposes federal cuts that will result in the loss of health coverage for 10 million Americans, including over 27,000 people in the district.
McCann: Michigan House, HB 4714, 97th Michigan Legislature, 9/3/13, MichiganVotes.org; Sean McCann (@SeanMcCannforCongress), 7/3/26, Facebook.com.
Bill Huizenga
Huizenga voted for legislation that will kick over 27,000 people in his district off their health insurance and put rural hospitals at risk. That legislation also limits Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
Huizenga: U.S. House, Roll Call 190, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1, 119th Cong., 7/3/25, Congress.gov.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS
Sean McCann
McCann voted to protect paid sick time for Michigan workers to care for themselves or a sick family member. He also voted to repeal Michigan’s so-called “right-to-work” law, strengthening workers’ ability to organize and bargain collectively.
McCann: Update: Whitmer signs bipartisan deal on tipped wage and sick time hours,” 2/21/25, MichiganAdvance.com; Michigan Senate, SB 34, 102nd Michigan Legislature, 3/14/23, Legislature.MI.gov; Michigan Senate, SJ 16, 103rd Michigan Legislature, 2/20/25, Legislature.MI.gov.
Bill Huizenga
Huizenga voted against the PRO Act, which would protect workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. He also cosponsored a bill that would turn stable farm and food processing jobs into temporary ones and slash wages for workers by up to $5.4 billion a year.
Huizenga: U.S. House, Roll Call 70, HR 842, 117th Cong., 3/9/21, Congress.gov; U.S. House, Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026, HR 9535, 119th Cong., introduced 6/30/26, Congress.gov.
Congressional District 7
William Lawrence
Democrat
Tom Barrett
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
William Lawrence
Lawrence founded and led the Michigan Rent Is Too Damn High coalition, which won statewide protections for lower-income renters. In addition to expanding access to affordable housing, he supports cracking down on price gouging by mega corporations.
Lawrence: “Learn more about me,” accessed 9/13/26, WeWill2026.com; “Michigan’s 7th District Democratic primary: Meet candidate William Lawrence,” 7/24/26, MichiganPublic.org.
Tom Barrett
Barrett voted to cut millions of dollars in SNAP funding that families relied on to buy groceries.
Barrett: U.S. House, Roll Call 190, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1, 119th Cong., 7/3/25, Congress.gov.
QUALITY HEALTH CARE
William Lawrence
Lawrence opposes federal cuts that will result in the loss of health coverage for 10 million Americans, including over 23,000 people in the district.
Lawrence: “Lawrence faults Barrett over Medicaid cuts, renews Medicare for All push,” 8/5/26, MichiganAdvance.com.
Tom Barrett
Barrett voted for legislation that will kick over 23,000 people in his district off their health insurance and put rural hospitals at risk.
Barrett: U.S. House, Roll Call 190, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1, 119th Cong., 7/3/25, Congress.gov.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS
William Lawrence
Lawrence supports passing the PRO Act to protect workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. He also supports paid family leave so workers can take time to care for their families and expanded pre-K to make child care more affordable.
Lawrence: “Platform,” accessed 9/13/26, WeWill2026.com.
Tom Barrett
In the Michigan House, Barrett voted to repeal a law that required business owners to pay workers union wages and benefits on state-funded construction projects. In Congress, he cosponsored a so-called national “right-to-work” law, which would make it harder for workers to fight for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.
Barrett: Michigan House, Roll Call 453, Initiative Petition (2018), 6/6/18, Legislature.MI.gov; U.S. House, National Right-to-WorkAct, HR 1232, 119th Cong., 2/12/25, Congress.gov.
Congressional District 8
Kristen McDonald Rivet
Democrat
Tom Smith
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Kristen McDonald Rivet
McDonald Rivet introduced a bill to help families afford groceries and utility bills. She also introduced a bill to cut taxes for working parents by up to $5,500 per young child and helped unveil a policy roadmap to lower the cost of groceries, housing, child care, and energy.
McDonald Rivet: “Rep. McDonald Rivet introduces bill to make food and energy more affordable,” 1/14/26, McDonaldRivet.House.gov; “Congresswoman McDonald Rivet introduces bill to cut taxes for working families by thousands of dollars per year,” 4/15/26, McDonaldRivet.House.gov; “ICYMI: Rep. McDonald Rivet, New Democrat Coalition unveil policy agenda to make life more affordable,” 2/12/26, McDonaldRivet.House.gov.
Tom Smith
Smith has not put forward policy on how he would lower costs.
Smith: “Issues,” accessed 9/22/26, TomSmithforMI.com.
QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Kristen McDonald Rivet
McDonald Rivet voted against federal cuts that will result in the loss of health coverage for 10 million Americans, including over 26,000 people in her district. The bill limits Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices. She also voted to extend tax credits that help working families afford health insurance.
McDonald Rivet: U.S. House, HR1834, 119th Cong., introduced 3/4/25, Congress.gov; U.S. House, Roll Call 190, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, HR 1, 119th Cong., 7/3/25, Congress.gov.
Tom Smith
Smith says government should stay out of healthcare and that he wants to let “the marketplace work unobstructed by the government.”
Smith: “Republican congressional candidates answer questions,” 7/20/26, OurMidland.com.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS
Kristen McDonald Rivet
McDonald Rivet cosponsored bills to protect workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, end tax breaks for union busting, protect health care and social service workers from workplace violence, and guarantee equal pay for equal work.
McDonald Rivet: U.S. House, Food Secure Strikers Act, HR 2357, 119th Cong., introduced 3/26/25,Congress.gov; U.S. House, Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act, HR 2531, 119th Cong., introduced 4/1/25, Congress.gov; U.S. House, No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act, HR 2692, 119thCong., introduced 4/7/25, Congress.gov; U.S. House, Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act, HR 20, 119th Cong., introduced 3/5/25, Congress.gov; U.S. House, Paycheck Fairness Act, HR 17, 119th Cong., introduced 3/25/25, Congress.gov.
Tom Smith
Smith has remained silent on protecting workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively, workplace safety, and equal pay.
Smith: “Issues,” accessed 9/17/26, TomSmithforMI.com.
Congressional District 10
Christina Hines
Democrat
Michael Bouchard
Republican
COST OF LIVING & AFFORDABILITY
Christina Hines
Hines supports banning AI-driven surveillance pricing, where companies use consumers’ personal data to determine what they pay. She also supports cracking down on grocery price gouging and giving federal regulators the power to investigate and enforce violations.
Hines: “Why your grocery bill keeps going up—and what Congress can do about it,” 3/18/26, ChristinaHinesForCongress.Substack.com.
Michael Bouchard
Bouchard supports policies that have caused the average family in Michigan to spend over $650 more on gas.
Bouchard: “Iran war makes things personal for veteran candidates,” 3/30/26, Politico.com.
QUALITY HEALTH CARE
Christina Hines
Hines opposed federal cuts that will result in the loss of health coverage for 10 million Americans, including nearly 33,000 people in the district.
Hines: Christina Hines (@CBHines586), 7/9/26, X.com.
Michael Bouchard
Bouchard supported legislation that will kick nearly 33,000 people in the district off their health insurance. That legislation also limits Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower prescription drug prices.
Bouchard: Michael Bouchard (@BouchardforMI), 8/17/26, X.com.
SUPPORT FOR WORKERS
Christina Hines
Hines supports the PRO Act to protect workers fighting for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces. She also supports strengthening the National Labor Relations Board and expanding paid family leave.
Hines: “Priorities,”accessed 9/13/26, ChristinaHinesForCongress.com; “My plan to fix healthcare: lessons from my mom,” 3/24/26, ChristinaHinesForCongress.Substack.com.
Michael Bouchard
Bouchard has not shared a plan to protect workers’ right to organize and bargain collectively for fair wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.
Bouchard: “Where Mike stands,” accessed 9/13/26, BouchardForCongress.com.