Democrat Gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson selected Grand Rapids State Senator Winnie Brinks as her choice for Lieutenant Governor.

Today, Jocelyn Benson announced Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks as her running mate during a campaign stop in Grand Rapids. 

Senator Winnie Brinks currently serves as Michigan’s 29th District State Senator and Senate Majority Leader. Brinks is in her second term as a State Senator and was ineligible to seek re-election due to Michigan’s term limit laws. Before her time as a State Senator, she served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives.

According to a Detroit News report, Jocelyn Benson had narrowed the focus of her Lieutenant Governor search to Senator Winnie Brinks, Senator Sarah Anthony, and Former Senator Jim Ananich. It appears that Benson is prioritizing an experienced legislator to join her ticket and push her agenda with a hand-picked Senate President.

Jocelyn Benson said on X about her selection, “As Lieutenant Governor, Winnie will draw on her wealth of legislative knowledge to help implement our plans to lower costs and raise wages for Michigan families. She’s the right partner to help lead Michigan forward, and I’m proud to have her join me in the fight for a brighter, more affordable future.”

Democrats have highlighted the importance of Winnie Brinks’ selection when it comes to identity politics. Jocelyn Benson and Winnie Brinks will be Michigan’s first all-women gubernatorial ticket, and Senator Brinks was the first female Senate Majority Leader in Michigan history.

During her time as Senate Majority Leader, the Michigan Senate passed legislation to repeal right-to-work, restrict Second Amendment rights, codify abortion into the State Constitution, and abolish local control.

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