Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson

(D)
2 Terms
Austin Building
Lansing, MI  48919
517-335-2436

secretary@michigan.gov
Official Website

Biographical Information

Born: October 22, 1977 in Pittsburgh, PA
Marital Status: Married
Spouse: Ryan Friedrichs
Children: Aiden (2)
Education: B.A., Wellesley College; Attended Oxford University; J.D., Harvard Law School
Employment/Military Record: CEO and Executive Director of the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE); former dean, Wayne State University Law School; associate dean, Wayne State University Law School, teaching election law; author, "Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process," on the role of the secretary of state in enforcing election and campaign finance laws
Community Activities: Former associate director, Damon J. Keith Center on Civil Rights. Member of the Michigan Bar Association and previously served as an elected member of the American Bar Association Committee on Election Law. Advisory board member, ICivics
Religion: Christian

Governmental Leadership (Elected or Appointed)

Secretary of State (1/1/2019 - 12/31/2026)
Other Offices: While a student in college, Jocelyn organized a campaign and became the institution's first representative in town government.

Elections and Political Participation

Secretary of State 2022
General Vote: 2,467,859 of 4,417,903 (55%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: AFL-CIO Michigan (primary); Detroit Regional Chamber PAC (primary); Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPAC (primary); Michigan League of Conservation Voters (primary); Michigan Nurses Association (primary); Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights (primary)

Secretary of State 2018
General Vote: 2,213,243 of 4,184,026 (52%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: AFSCME, Michigan Association for Justice, United Auto Workers, Sierra Club

Secretary of State 2018
General Vote: NA
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Michigan AFL-CIO,

Secretary of State 2018
General Vote: NA
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights,

Secretary of State 2010
General Vote: 1,437,403 of 3,180,932 (45%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Political Activities: Organized several statewide and national efforts to protect the vote and ensure the integrity of the elections.

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