Governor of Michigan

At a May 2026 Republican candidate forum, Bridge Michigan reported that all of the candidates, including James, said they were pro-life and opposed the 2022 ballot measure that enshrined abortion protections in Michigan's constitution.

At a May 2026 gun-violence prevention forum, Benson said she wants to ensure Michigan is "passing legislation on gun safety"; her campaign says that as governor she will support commonsense laws that keep Michigan communities safe. She has been endorsed by Giffords PAC, Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action.

In his Vote411 answer on immigration he says people in the country illegally will be removed.

“Immigrants built the United States. Almost everybody here is either an immigrant or descendants of immigrants. We need to dial down the hysteria and realize that wage suppression is the result of late-stage capitalism, not immigration.”

In his answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on immigration

“Lawful immigration is a core tenet of the American process. The Constitution guards against government usurpation of rights.”

In her answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on immigration

Calls for building more homes faster and names outdated zoning regulations and bureaucratic red tape among the causes of the housing shortage.

“Eliminate state income tax”

In his answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, listed among his top three priorities

“End unlawful property tax and income tax.”

In her answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on her priorities

In his Vote411 answer on the economy he calls for a not-for-profit national health system, starting at the state level.

“We would open and use our nuclear power plants, fix and use our Hydro dams, we would approve line 5 and we would burn the trash coming in from Canada!”

In his answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on energy

“Every flat roof and parking lot should be covered with photovoltaic collectors, and the energy they put onto the grid paid for on a net-metering basis.”

In his answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on energy

“I will stop policies that pad utility bills and end backroom deals which destroy the ecology of Michigan.”

In her answer to the League of Women Voters Vote411 questionnaire, on environment and energy

Pledges to fully fund law enforcement and has been endorsed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan and the Fraternal Order of Police of Michigan.

His education agenda says he will opt Michigan into the federal K-12 Education Freedom Tax Credit and expand charter school options; his Parents' Bill of Rights says parents can choose alternative education options such as homeschooling or charter schools.

In his Vote411 answer on education he says to eliminate the charter system.