Benson, James Spar Over Tariffs and Iran War in Michigan Governor Debate

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and Rep. John James (R-Mich.) clashed over tariffs on Canada, the war in Iran, and Medicaid in the first debate of the race for Michigan governor on Oct. 6.

The hour-long debate, hosted by the local NBC-affiliate in Grand Rapids, came less than a month before the Nov. 3 election for an open seat.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is term-limited.

Benson, the Democratic nominee, repeatedly tied James to President Donald Trump.

James, an Army combat veteran and businessman, said he has pushed back on the administration over tariffs and the war, and blamed Michigan’s economic struggles on eight years of Democratic leadership in Lansing.

Benson called the tariffs on Canada, Michigan’s largest trading partner, the “John James tax” and said they cost each Michigan household $5,600.

She said that on her first day in office she would negotiate a “subnational agreement” with Canada to shield goods moving between Michigan and Canada from the tariffs.

James said governors have no role in international trade deals and that Whitmer signed a similar agreement three years ago that he said, “hasn’t created a single job.”

He said he has never voted to raise tariffs on Canada. He also said he told the administration’s trade representative that both countries need to “stop acting like children” and negotiate.

Benson said James voted to give Trump the power to impose the tariffs.

In February, the House voted 219–211 to pass a resolution ending the national emergency Trump declared to impose tariffs on Canada, with six Republicans joining Democrats in support.

James voted against it. 

When the moderator asked whether he supports the 50 percent tariff on Canadian cars, trucks, and auto parts, James responded: “I’ve actually never voted to increase tariffs on Canada.”

Trump has said the tariff will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

James added that he had told the trade ambassador that the United States “must get back to the table, stop acting like children, and negotiate a reciprocal, fair, and mutually beneficial arrangement to make sure that we can bring our jobs back and protect our industry.” 

Both candidates said they would support suspending Michigan’s gas tax.

Benson blamed the war in Iran for rising fuel prices and said James had voted six times to support the war.

James’s congressional vote record shows he voted against Democratic-led House war powers resolutions that would have directed Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities with Iran.

James said he struggled with those votes.

“I’m a combat veteran. I have been to war. She has not. I understand what war means. And so I voted to protect the troops and to fund them while they were in harm’s way,” he said, adding that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

Asked later to name a Trump policy he opposes, James said the war needs to end “like yesterday.”

Asked how the state would cover a projected Medicaid shortfall caused by changes in federal law, James said Medicaid spending will still rise over the next five years. 

He said pregnant women, the elderly, and people who are sick or frail are exempt from the changes, and that as governor, he would apply for hardship exemptions.

He also said the changes have not taken effect yet.

Benson said she would streamline the state Department of Health and Human Services to make it easier for people to stay enrolled and would create a board to lower prescription drug costs.

James voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Republican tax and spending law Trump signed in July 2025, which passed the House 218–214. 

The law requires most adults covered under the Medicaid expansion to work, volunteer, attend job training, or attend school at least 80 hours a month to keep coverage, with exemptions for pregnant women, frail people, and others.

States must begin enforcing the requirement by the end of 2026.

Both candidates also said they support a moratorium on new data centers until protections are in place for nearby communities.

However, James said local governments should lead the way, and not Lansing.

Each accused the other of profiting from data center development, and each denied it.

In her closing statement, Benson said James would “do everything Trump asks him to do” as governor.

James finished with: “Michigan needs change” and that he would serve voters regardless of party.