MI-GOV: Benson lands influential Detroit endorsement in battle for Black voters

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has won the endorsement of the Original Eastside Slate, an influential Detroit political organization with a strong record of backing winning candidates, giving her campaign a boost in the battle for Black voters.

The endorsement, first reported by Metro Times, comes two days after the Black Slate, another historically important Black Detroit political group, announced its support for the campaign of former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent.

The dueling endorsements show how Detroit’s Black political networks are becoming an early battleground in the 2026 governor’s race, especially after a new poll showed Benson leading Duggan and Republican U.S. Rep. John James in a hypothetical three-way matchup.

“The Original Eastside Slate is endorsing Jocelyn Benson because she shows up and gets things done for our city,” Original Eastside Slate Vice Chair Carol Banks said in a statement. “Jocelyn is not only a proven leader — she’s a Detroiter who understands what our communities are up against.”


https://www.metrotimes.com/news/benson-lands-influential-detroit-endorsement-in-battle-for-black-voters/