BLACK mobile logo

detroit

politics

She followed a civil rights hero to Alabama. It shaped her path to power.

March 24, 2026

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, now the Democratic frontrunner for governor, traces her commitment to public service back to a 1997 volunteer position at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama, where she researched hate groups and worked undercover. Her journey south was inspired by Viola Liuzzo, a white Detroit mother who was murdered by Ku Klux Klan members in 1965 after participating in the historic Selma to Montgomery voting rights march. Benson, who gained national prominence defending Michigan's 2020 election results against false fraud claims and faced armed protesters at her home, views her work as continuing the unfinished mission of the Civil Rights Movement.

Who is affected

  • Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic gubernatorial candidate
  • Viola Liuzzo's family, particularly her son Anthony Liuzzo Jr.
  • Michigan voters and election officials
  • Black voters in Michigan, especially in Detroit and surrounding counties
  • Democratic elected officials and activists
  • Chris Swanson (Democratic opponent), Garlin Gilchrist (running for secretary of state)
  • Republican gubernatorial candidates including Rep. John James, state Sen. Aric Nesbitt, and former Attorney General Mike Cox
  • Independent candidate Mike Duggan (former Detroit mayor)
  • The Trump administration
  • Civil rights advocates and organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center

What action is being taken

  • Benson is running for governor of Michigan with the Democratic primary approaching and the general election set for 2026
  • Michigan is rebuffing Trump administration requests to turn over sensitive voter data
  • Republican candidates are running in the GOP primary set for August 4th
  • Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate and criticizing the Democratic Party
  • Democrats, including state party chair Curtis Hertel, are criticizing Duggan's independent bid
  • Benson's team has established a "firewall" to avoid conflicts of interest while she remains secretary of state during her gubernatorial campaign
  • Benson and Michigan elected officials are visiting civil rights landmarks in Alabama during the Selma Jubilee weekend

Why it matters

  • This race represents a pivotal moment for American democracy as Michigan, a key battleground state, will determine control of critical offices during a period when voting rights and election integrity face significant threats. Benson's potential governorship would position her to defend against federal interference in the 2028 presidential election, similar to her role protecting the 2020 election results. The race symbolizes the ongoing struggle for civil rights and voting access that motivated the 1965 Selma to Montgomery march, with many advocates seeing parallels between that era and current challenges under the Trump administration. Michigan's 2026 elections carry national significance with multiple competitive races that could reshape the political landscape, while demographic shifts among Black and Latino voters add uncertainty to traditional Democratic coalitions.

What's next

  • The Republican primary is scheduled for August 4th
  • The general election for governor and other statewide offices will take place in 2026
  • Michigan's 2026 midterm elections will include contests for an open U.S. Senate seat, three top statewide executive offices, multiple U.S. House seats, and both chambers of the divided state legislature
  • Benson plans to continue annual returns to Montgomery and Selma for the Selma Jubilee weekend

Read full article from source: The 19th