After announcing her bid to be Michigan's next governor, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson visited West Michigan Wednesday afternoon to kick off her campaign.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announces her candidacy for Michigan governor in 2026. She went one-on-one with The Pulse host Roop Raj about her plans for Michigan and message for voters.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said that her focus if she’s elected governor in 2026 would be on “efficiency and transparency” in state government. Benson spoke to reporters in Lansing while filing paperwork to officially declare herself as a candidate for the Democratic nomination after announcing her campaign earlier in the day.

Benson, a Democrat, is among the well-known politicians who have announced plans for the governor race in recent weeks. Republican legislator Aric Nesbitt announced his campaign Jan. 14; Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced in December that he would run as an independent.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, announced Wednesday that she is launching a campaign for governor.

The secretary of state is the first Democrat to announce a run for the seat, joining a field of three official candidates running for Michigan governor so far.

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)– Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced she is running for governor.

Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for governor of the all-important swing state of Michigan (AP video: Mike Householder)

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson sat down with 7 News Detroit anchor Mike Duffy for an interview after announcing that she's running for governor.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson officially joined the race for governor. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is already running as an independent and Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt is also in the race with more expected to follow considering election day is still 22 months away.

Midland County Sheriff’s Deputies believe road conditions and speed for conditions were a factor in the crash.