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Benson, James Are Set to Debate in Grand Rapids. Here's Where They Stand in the polls:

Benson pressed James on Trump and the Iran war, while both candidates accused each other of profiting from data center ties.

  • On Tuesday, Michigan Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson and Republican U.S. Representative John James debated at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, trading sharp attacks on trade policy, data centers, and healthcare four weeks before Election Day.
  • Vying to succeed term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the candidates sought to differentiate themselves on healthcare, energy policy, and the Iran conflict during the hour-long televised event.
  • Benson proposed a subnational trade agreement with Canada to eliminate tariffs, while James disputed voting for those tariffs, saying he has "never voted to increase tariffs on Canada" and called for new trade negotiations.
  • The most explosive segment centered on data centers, with candidates accusing each other of profiting from projects—James through his financial portfolio, Benson through her husband's work for Related Companies on the Saline facility.
  • Benson and James are scheduled to debate again on October 15 at WDIV-TV in Detroit, with more than 201,000 absentee ballots already cast and the general election on November 3.
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Bias Distribution

  • 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center

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Wood TV broke the news on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.
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