Updated on: September 6, 2026 / 2:38 PM EDT
/ CBS News
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The following is the transcript of the interview with Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Democratic nominee for governor, that aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sept. 6, 2026.MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is the Democratic nominee for governor in Michigan. Good morning to you.SECRETARY OF STATE JOCELYN BENSON: Good morning. Thanks for having me.MARGARET BRENNAN: Sure. I want to get to that issue of affordability. A new University of Michigan analysis revealed 40% of the state's population struggles to pay for basic necessities. Is that affordability issue something you can improve on as governor?SEC. BENSON: Yes. Well, first, thanks for having me. And affordability is the centerpiece of our campaign. Our campaign is ultimately about driving down costs, growing our economy so that we can increase well-paying jobs in our state, protecting democracy and ending corruption. And everywhere I go in Michigan, I hear heartbreaking stories about choices that residents are having to make. Moms having to choose between whether to pay for food or childcare. Seniors on a fixed income trying to decide how they're going to still pay for medicine with these rising costs. The next governor of Michigan must address these, and I've done that as Secretary of State. I know how to fix broken systems. I've run our state agencies well. I've improved our democracy. I improved our Department of Motor Vehicles in a way that has saved people time, saved people money and made their lives easier. I've done that as Secretary of State. I'm ready to do that as Governor.MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, one of the challenges in Michigan, of course, is the fact that a large portion of your state's exports, 36%, go north to Canada. On Tuesday, Canada's tariffs on steel and aluminum products, U.S.-made dairy and appliances will go into effect as part of this trade dispute. It's going to be between 15 to 50% on $20 billion worth of American-made goods. How much is that going to hit Michigan?SEC. BENSON: It already has. I mean, since Trump took office, we've seen our- our expenses go up, and these tariffs, particularly with Canada, have increased prices in Michigan more than any other state. The average Michigan family is paying $5,600 more. That's a tax on our groceries. That's a tax on our small businesses, on gas. And- and what's frustrating to me in this race is that my opponent has been fully supportive of these tariffs. He's voted multiple times in support of them instead of in support of the people of Michigan. That is cowardice, and that is not leadership. And Michiganders need a governor--
