Education will be a key topic as Benson and James face off in Michigan governor’s race

Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James are set to clash in Michigan's gubernatorial election on November 3. The race has been deemed a toss-up by multiple news organizations, with Benson leading in Democratic votes and James securing a majority of the Republican vote. Education has been a central theme in the campaign, with both candidates acknowledging the necessity of tackling Michigan's persistently low literacy rates among K-12 students. However, their approaches on other critical issues have largely diverged.

James has expressed a strong desire to increase school choice, pledging to enroll Michigan in the federal tax credit scholarship program upon taking office. This program enables individuals to receive tax credits for donations made to organizations that offer scholarships for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational support. James also intends to maintain the exclusion of transgender girls from participating in sports teams and using girls' locker rooms and bathrooms.

On the other hand, Benson's primary focus lies in ensuring equitable funding for Michigan schools while simultaneously addressing teacher recruitment and retention. She has proposed raising the minimum starting salary for teachers to $60,000 annually, a figure currently met or exceeded by several districts. The Detroit Public Schools Community District, for instance, has set its starting salary at $57,400 following the recent agreement with the Detroit Federation of Teachers. The statewide average starting salary is approximately $41,000.

Benson, as she has consistently done throughout the campaign, draws on her background as the daughter of public school teachers in her speeches. She advocates for a state where child care is affordable for all, where homes are within reach of educators, and where public education adequately prepares students for future careers. Benson also emphasizes her commitment to supporting teachers who are dedicated to educating the next generation, deserving of increased pay and respect.

In contrast, James, in his acceptance speech, highlighted Michigan's educational shortcomings, asserting that children are falling behind in their academic pursuits. He emphasized the need for schools that effectively teach reading, vowing that his administration will demonstrate the efficacy of phonics instruction.