Benson, Duggan clash over corporate PAC money at UAW debate in Dearborn
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan clashed over corporate campaign donations in their first major debate of the 2026 gubernatorial race.
DEARBORN, MICHIGAN — Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Jocelyn Benson and independent candidate Mike Duggan exchanged sharp attacks over corporate campaign donations and labor support during a debate hosted by the United Auto Workers on Monday.
The debate, held in Dearborn, marked the opening confrontation in what promises to be a competitive 2026 gubernatorial race. Democratic candidate Chris Swanson, the current Genesee County Sheriff, also participated and emphasized his labor credentials throughout the event.
Republican candidates were invited to the UAW-hosted debate but did not attend, leaving the focus on the battle between Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State, and Duggan, the former Detroit mayor running as an independent.
Corporate PAC Money Becomes Central Issue
The sharpest exchanges occurred when candidates were asked whether they would commit to refusing corporate Political Action Committee donations and how voters could trust that corporate interests wouldn’t influence their decisions if elected.
Benson said she has refused corporate PAC money in her gubernatorial campaign and framed the election as a choice about who the next governor will serve.
“I will work for you, not the highest bidder, not a lobbyist, not Donald Trump, but for the working people of this state, just as I’ve done as secretary of state,” Benson said. “When we look at what’s behind the costs that are skyrocketing on everything from healthcare to housing to energy costs, oftentimes politicians don’t get in the way of that and drive those costs down because they’re more beholden to the corporate PAC that’s funding their campaign than to the people of Michigan.”
Duggan Defends Business and Labor Support
Duggan acknowledged his campaign receives support from both labor and business interests, saying some of his biggest financial backing came from the state’s carpenters’ union. He also noted accepting an $8,000 donation from Roger Penske, a billionaire involved in car racing and trucking.
The former Detroit mayor defended his approach of building bridges between different constituencies rather than rejecting certain types of support outright.
Multiple Policy Areas Debated
Beyond campaign finance, the candidates sparred over their records on supporting labor, their positions on Michigan’s regulated utilities, and policies regarding artificial intelligence data centers. Swanson used each topic to highlight his background in law enforcement and connections to organized labor.
The debate represents an early test of how the unusual three-way dynamic will play out, with Benson seeking to consolidate Democratic support while Duggan attempts to appeal to voters across party lines as an independent candidate.
The UAW’s decision to host the debate underscores the union’s continued influence in Michigan politics, particularly as candidates seek to appeal to working-class voters ahead of the November election.
