What do you think you can do to fix this?

We implement a Michigan education guarantee to ensure every kid is college or career ready when they graduate with science-based curriculum, reading reforms, and the like.

And then we train and support our educators who actually have to implement that curriculum.

We pass the curriculum reforms, but then we never connect the dots to ensure our educators have the tools, resources, and financial support they need to actually implement the curriculum reforms.

And then I'll also invest in early childhood development because we know literacy starts before they get to kindergarten.

And so we have to expand pre-K and ensure that we're preparing our youngest kids from the minute they come into kindergarten to be able to read.

So I've got a comprehensive education plan that is science-based and based on what's worked in Mississippi and what's worked You know, I'm so tired of the Mississippi miracle.

And there are parents who do not read to their kids, whether it's because they can't read or they don't feel it's important.

What do you think you can do to fix this?

We implement a Michigan education guarantee to ensure every kid is college or career ready when they graduate with science-based curriculum, reading reforms, and the like.

And then we train and support our educators who actually have to implement that curriculum.

We pass the curriculum reforms, but then we never connect the dots to ensure our educators have the tools, resources, and financial support they need to actually implement the curriculum reforms.

And then I'll also invest in early childhood development because we know literacy starts before they get to kindergarten.

And so we have to expand pre-K and ensure that we're preparing our youngest kids from the minute they come into kindergarten to be able to read.

So I've got a comprehensive education plan that is science-based and based on what's worked in Mississippi and what's worked You know, I'm so tired of the Mississippi miracle.

And there are parents who do not read to their kids, whether it's because they can't read or they don't feel it's important.

But practically speaking, how at the state level can you do anything to cancel out the costs coming from the federal government's dispute?

Well, first, it's important to note my opponent could talk a good game, but the bottom line is he's either been silent or he's voted for these tariffs.

And that means we call these tariffs in Michigan the John James tax because of his actions, because of his inability to stand up to the president as a congressman.

We are hit with these taxes.

We are hit with these increased prices.

And he has to take responsibility for that instead of running away from it.

But in addition to that, some national agreements are things that governors and other states have already talked about and negotiated to drive down costs when the federal government won't do that.

Do you see any impact on voting in your state?

I'm sure that probably helps as you approach this challenge.

Well, certainly, you know, I often joke that I run the Department of Motor Vehicles, so I'm obviously very popular.

But at the same time, what we've been able to do is transform this massive state agency that is the butt of so many jokes across the nation and actually transform it into one of the most efficient, well-run government agencies in the nation.

We've slashed wait times.

We put self-service stations in grocery stores.

We have mobile offices that show up at senior centers and community events, actually meeting people where they are.

And, you know, I believe government should be that helping hand.

How are you gonna tackle this as governor?

how you, as you're moving forward in your campaigning, you will still continue to do your current job as Secretary of State, what are the specific things you guys are doing to make sure that no matter what Trump does, you are prepared?

Well, first, we recognize the path to the presidency runs through Michigan.

That was the case in 2020 and why we were in the spotlight then and why we're in the spotlight now.

And particularly cities like Detroit, Grand Rapids, others that have been under that scrutiny are ones where you see high turnout that oftentimes influence the outcome of the statewide vote.

So no surprise that in his effort to interfere with elections and make voters feel that they don't have the power as they do.

to hold our elected officials accountable.

No surprise that Trump continues to lie about the security and safety of our elections, which, by the way, are ranked number two in the nation for safety and security.

El-Sayed and Garland Gilchrist?

They are seeing that AI leaders are, are benefiting.

Well, yeah.

Again, it gets back to who are the leaders of Michigan working for.

Are they working for the people? Are they trying to protect their voices? Are they trying to protect our jobs? Are they trying to prepare our young people for the jobs of tomorrow, whether they be in tech or elsewhere? I mean, that's again where we're focused.

And I know there's a lot of unknowns, particularly when it call, comes to technological advancements and, and AI, and that's where government also has to come in with guardrails to actually protect the people.

Uh, protect them against deception, protect them against misuse and abuse of their own likeness and image and other things.

Uh, and again, that's why having state leaders or all leaders who are squarely focused not on what corporations want or tech billionaires want, but what the people need, uh, is a critical role for government to play.

Why is the federal government looking for ballots from states?

I want to begin with what you know, if anything, at this point about what Donald Trump's agents, federal agents, were doing in Michigan yesterday and last night.

Well, first, thanks so much for having me, Lawrence, uh, and for that wonderful overlay of everything [laughs] that we've lived through in Michigan for the last six years up until yesterday.

Uh, and yes, uh, yesterday during, uh, election day, primary day, there were federal observers at the polls.

Uh, and there were also observers, nonpartisan observers from various other entities watching the observers to make sure nothing went awry.

Because look, in Michigan, we welcome scrutiny, we welcome transparency, we welcome people coming and seeing just how secure our elections are.

Where we draw the line is when people try to disrupt, interfere, or lie about the process.

And so we'll be keeping a close eye on things.

Uh, what does that tell you about the way your service as Secretary of State has been perceived by Michigan voters?

Why do you think you are connecting with your campaign?

You know, Ara, thanks for having me.

I've been really excited to see the momentum all around the state for, in this primary election.

Uh, and really, uh, achieve support from, from business leaders, labor leaders, uh, Jewish community leaders, Arab American, Muslim community leaders.

We are building a unifying effort to ensure I'm able to lead the state with a trifecta of leaders all across Michigan that are focused on driving down costs, dri- driving up wages, and protecting the rights and safety of every community.

We know right now in this moment, governors are guardrails.

Governors are the ones that can and must stand up to the President of the United States when he tries to terrorize communities or, or terrorize our economy with, with tariffs that are irresponsible and driving up costs and hurting our working people in our state.

How have you been responding to these instances now in your current role, and how would you continue that work as governor?

Well,

I'm, you know, Team Lions all the way.

Can you just

send me that?

Only if you show up in Lions gear.

Secretary Benson, how's it feel?

Oh, hey, Paul, it feels great.

You know, I'm out here in Muskegon today.

We just had an electrifying event and out here and headed to Holland, up and down the west side of the state.

But everywhere I go, people are excited.

And it's being reflected in the numbers as well.

I mean, we have already in this primary election, 750,000 Michigan citizens have cast their ballots and early voting over the weekend, which just started on Saturday.

What are your thoughts about that as a good, strong, old-line, I guess, moderate Democrat?

Secretary Benson, how's it feel?

Oh, hey, Paul, it feels great.

You know, I'm out here in Muskegon today.

We just had an electrifying event and out here and headed to Holland, up and down the west side of the state.

But everywhere I go, people are excited.

And it's being reflected in the numbers as well.

I mean, we have already in this primary election, 750,000 Michigan citizens have cast their ballots and early voting over the weekend, which just started on Saturday.

What are your thoughts about that as a good, strong, old-line, I guess, moderate Democrat?

How do you respond to those criticisms? And do you worry that election misinformation has become a permanent campaign strategy?

I think election misinformation at a time where it's increasingly difficult to find trusted sources of information about just about everything, that's one of the biggest threats to election security today.

Not voter fraud, which we know the facts say is insignificant.

Not non-citizens voting, which we know the facts say isn't actually happening in any significant way.

It's lies and misinformation designed to cause citizens to lose the faith that they should have in our democracy, in their voices, and in their votes, and in our elections.

That's the greatest threat that we're facing in our democracy today.

And every time misinformation is spread, it doesn't just harm citizens' faith in our elections.

What worries you most? What do you see as the biggest threats to this election?

Uh, how would that impact your state if that happens, and what do you do?

Yeah, again, it's another bullying tactic, and the irony is that in 2020 in particular, we had one of the most secure elections in our country's history because of the investments in CISA and a number of other security protections and funding that we in every state were able to utilize to protect our systems and ensure they were secure.

And so, so to actually dismantle all of those protections, what the president did when he came back into office, uh, last year, uh, and then, uh, sort of suggest to do more, uh, sh- really underscores how they're actually not talking about securing our elections at all, but instead trying to scare and intimidate election officials into doing their bidding and doing their work, while also sowing seeds of doubt among the American people about the, the security of our elections.

So for us in the states, that means continuing, frankly, to knit together our own security protocols and protections and doing even more than we've done before, and to work together, as we are, state to state, to share information and to work to input best practices in place.

And we have to do all this because the federal government, again, under President Trump, dismantled the very security protections that we relied on to ensure our elections were, are protected from any attempted foreign interference.

Uh, what did you make of the president bringing that up last night, six years later?

Yeah, quite frankly, I was stunned because here we are seeing this build-up, right? There are all these attempts to shake people's faith in the election systems that we know to be secure, uh, and protected, uh, and, and make people doubt the results, not just of the 2020 election, but future ones as well.

And then to bring up one of the most widely debunked conspiracy theories [laughs] that was debunked years ago, uh, that was actually an example of the security protocols we have working, was stunning to me because it really just underscores that there's actually no evidence of any wrongdoing, that the systems are secure, and if there was any actual evidence, we would have heard it by now.

Um, d- how do you think about the role of the federal government right now, and particularly this administration, and do any of these kinds of scenarios that, uh, you know, have been floated in the press give you cause for concern? Uh, do you think the president m- may try something coming down the stretch here in the closing months before the midterms beyond what he's already tried to do?

Yes.

I think yes to all of the above.

Essentially, in our work, we say we always hope for the best but prepare for every contingency.

Uh, and that's exactly what, uh, is, is required and what has enabled us, frankly, to go through not one, not two, but three election cycles, in 2020, '22, and 2024, with these very same threats, with this multinational, uh, potential threat to our democracy, not just in, in actuality, but in, sort of in our minds.

Uh, and it's come f- certainly, particularly in presidential years, that threat has been amplified by foreign governments, we've seen, um, but we know that domestic interference can be just as problematic, uh, and possible as international efforts to undermine our elections.

So with that in mind, we actually scenario plan, and we have been doing this since 2020, uh, where we partner at the local level with local clerks, law enforcement, first responders, to go through every possible scenario.

Can, can you explain what's actually going on with the SAVE Act? What, what concerns you, and, and what should concern our listeners?

So what are you anticipating and what are you doing to prepare?

Well, first of all, any allegations in the Justice Department's letters are completely and factually baseless.

Our elections in Michigan, including in Detroit, are among the most secure and accessible in the nation.

Recognizing, however, that transparency is our friend, we welcome anyone to see up close and personal just how secure and accurate our elections are.

So federal observers have been a thing.

We welcome them in.

Where we draw the line is disruption.

What does crossing that line actually look like? How do you know when it's been crossed?

First, what is your reaction to this news that the Department of Justice could send election monitors to Michigan for the primaries? Have, have the Department of Justice spoken directly to you or your office?

No, and thanks for having me to talk about this important issue.

The President and his administration continues to, uh, sow seeds of doubt, baseless, evidence-free, as you said, uh, about our elections, which are, in Michigan and else- and everywhere else, our m- our elections are transparent, accurate, accessible, and secure.

Uh, and transparency is our friend.

We welcome observers into our elections to see just how secure they are.

Uh, but what we're seeing here is, uh, the President and the Department of Justice continuing to pursue these baseless allegations to confuse voters about the facts.

Uh, now, in this case, you see where we have stood firm in the Department of State statewide and said, "No, and we'll see you in court every time the President tries to break the law or intimidate me, uh, or anyone else in our office." Uh, now they're going to local officials to try to pressure them, uh, to be afraid or scared or worried, uh, and through that, pressure voters in these critical c- uh, communities in Michigan, East Lansing, Lansing, Detroit, uh, into worrying about the elections process or worrying about whether they m- they might face intimidation or worse if they show up to vote.

You actually did a review of the 2024 vote, and you found that out of 5.7 million ballots cast in the Michigan general election, there were only 15 credible cases of election fraud? Do I have that right?

Can you tell us about that?

Yeah, you know, everywhere I go in Michigan, and we're on day two of this statewide tour, I hear stories about families struggling to make ends meet and how too often government's kind of showing up where we don't want it and nowhere where we actually need it.

And secretary of state, as you know, I've tried to streamline how government works.

So it's actually showing up to reduce costs.

I want you as governor invest in economic growth so that we're driving up wages as well.

You know, we've got some of the lowest per capita income in the nation and with costs skyrocketing on everything from gas to healthcare to housing with stagnant wages, it's untenable for everybody, no matter what side of the aisle you are, you're on.

I'm going to be a governor who works with everyone to try to drive down costs, make government work better.

But are you pleased with the results?

Can you tell us about that?

Yeah, you know, everywhere we go in Michigan and we're on day two of this statewide tour, I hear stories about families struggling to make ends meet and how too often government's kind of showing up where we don't want it and nowhere where we actually need it.

And Secretary of State, as you know, I've tried to streamline how government works.

So it's actually showing up to reduce costs.

I want to, as governor, invest in economic growth so that we're driving up wages as well.

You know, we've got some of the lowest per capita income in the nation.

And with costs skyrocketing on everything from gas to healthcare to housing, with stagnant wages, it's untenable for everybody, no matter what side of the aisle you're on.

But are you pleased with the results?

Uh, what can we do tangibly to fix those two things?

Well, I, I couldn't agree more.

It's dir- Uh, our education system is directly linked to our economic prosperity, and we are far too low on too many rankings.

And, you know, I was just talking with Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, who is in town to, to work with my team and campaign for me this week, and he is ...

He's leading a state, Maryland, that went from being ranked 40th to number two in public education.

And he had a blueprint, a comprehensive blueprint, that among other things raised teacher salaries, uh, and invested in professional support for educators so that they have the tools they need to actually get the right curriculum to their kids and have the resources needed to do that.

Experiential opportunities, apprenticeships, a number of things.

What do you say to, to, to that, uh, type of argument, where we've gotta fix something, uh, about when we count our votes?

I mean, it just seems like gas is so up and down no matter where you go.

Yeah, well, I think three things that we can uniquely do in this state, number one is stop price gouging, really investigate claims of price gouging and make sure that greedy corporations are not taking advantage of this moment by driving costs up even more and holding them accountable if they do.

The second is trying to find ways to perhaps temporarily reduce costs.

I know the governor is looking at doing things right now.

Hopefully in partnership with this legislature, I'll do the same to make sure we are finding temporary ways to drive down costs or provide different cuts that could really help people's pocketbooks.

And the third thing we can also do is invest in ways for other ways to get around, whether it's making it more affordable to purchase energy efficient vehicles, whether they be hybrid or electric vehicles, but also investing in public transit.

Those are more long-term goals that can help us enable people to get around in a more affordable way when gas prices spike or become out of reach or unaffordable for too many families.

What do you say to that type of argument where we've got to fix something about when we count our votes?

Are you confident, Secretary, that that's the end of it? And if not, what can Democrats do to stop millions of eligible voters from losing access to mail-in ballots before the midterms?

Yeah, I think, no, this is not the end.

What we have to recognize is this is a multi-year coordinated effort that has been going on for a long time now to try to not just interfere with our elections and confuse citizens about the validity of the process and how to vote and whether to trust the results.

This is also an effort to get us to feel so exhausted of defending democracy that we give up on the concept altogether.

And that's how we have to see these attempts.

They are piecemeal attempts bit by bit to cause us to doubt the validity of our elections and the power of our own voices as voters to hold elected officials accountable.

So in this case, where if the Postal Service were to deny delivery of mail-in ballots, that would be illegal.

What does it say that Trump is willing to hold a bill lowering costs for Americans, hold that bill hostage in order to get his elections bill passed?

And I'm curious where you think these solutions have either gone wrong or not gone far enough and what should Michigan do differently?

Well, I think one of the challenges in a moment like this where we're trying to define how government can be helpful and make your life easier is ensuring that government agencies are helping to ease the affordability crisis as opposed to creating obstacles to stand in the way.

And right now in Michigan, as in all across the country, a lot of families are struggling to make ends meet.

We see stagnant wages, rising costs.

And it feels kind of like government is showing up everywhere we don't need it and where we actually do need it.

And so for me, our housing plan actually will ensure government's actually showing up and making your life easier by fighting to increase housing availability and affordability through streamlining regulations that slow down construction.

Right now in Michigan, it can cost over $100,000 to build a single family home before you even put a brick in the ground because of the duplicative and onerous laws and regulations and inspection requirements that draw out the process and make it really difficult to build.

But how was that? That must have been really scary for you, first of all.

How did you find out that you were being endorsed by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield?

You know, the Detroit mayor has done so many great things already in her short tenure.

Mayor Sheffield has been a great friend of us for decades.

Ever since I was working as a teacher at Wayne State and she was starting out on the city council.

So our friendship goes back a long way and you're going to see a real partnership between her and I.

You know, I live in Detroit.

I'm going to continue living in Detroit as governor and continue to make sure she and frankly mayors all around our state have the support they need.

You will live in the governor's home in Lansing.

How did you find out that you were being endorsed by Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield?

You know, the Detroit mayor has done so many great things already in her short tenure.

Mayor Sheffield has been a great friend of us for decades.

Ever since I was working as a teacher at Wayne State and she was starting out on city council.

So our friendship goes back a long way and you're going to see a real partnership between her and I.

You know, I live in Detroit.

I'm going to continue living in Detroit as governor and continue to make sure she and frankly mayors all around our state have the support they need to do their jobs in the communities they represent.

You will live in the governor's home in Lansing, right?

Um, first tell us what's happening, and then tell us what you make of this moment.

Yeah.

Well, thanks for having me, Nicolle.

I mean, we've been talking about these types of tactics for the better part of the last six years, right? A president who's unwilling to accept he lost an election in 2020 and determined to try to dismantle democracy to stop...

to prevent voters from holding accountable now, when he's extraordinarily unpopular in the midterm elections, is continuing to use his administration to target local election officials, uh, and try to intimidate them and us into, I don't know, complying with whatever wish he has, whether it's turning over the private information of our voters to turning over our ballots.

Uh, and it really underscores why it's so important to have local officials and state officials, governors, attorneys general, secretaries of state, with the backbone to know the law and stand with the truth and stand with the voters and say, "No, you can't have our voters' private data.

You can't have our ballots, and we know you're only asking for it because you want to be able to overturn or sow seeds of doubt about our elections in the future.

Um, how do these, um, continued efforts to sow doubt about our elections intersect with threats of political violence in your state?