Benson-Brinks: a winning combination

October 8, 2026October 15, 2026

Jocelyn Benson demonstrated her commitment to public education when she chose Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) as her running mate — a state lawmaker and leader who has been a fighter for public schools, educators and students.

Brinks has been a champion for education since she was first elected to the state House in a write-in campaign in 2012. After three terms in the House, she won election to the state Senate.

“I need a governing partner who has a track record for getting things done,” Benson said in announcing her historic selection of Brinks to run for lieutenant governor — marking the first time two women are heading the top of the state Democratic ticket.

Brinks rose to become Michigan’s first female Senate Majority leader in 2023, amid a Democratic trifecta that restored collective bargaining rights to school employees and grew the state’s investment in education, including universal free school meals.

She is committed to finding ways to lower health care costs — a key issue for educators.

“Jocelyn Benson brings a wealth of executive experience, and my legislative experience rounds out the ticket,” Brinks told CBS Detroit in an interview. “We make a really strong team that’s going to put the people of Michigan first.”

A one-time public school paraeducator, married to a middle school teacher and MEA member, Brinks has long been a strong literacy advocate. She listens to educators as professionals who need resources and consistency over time to make changes.

“We’ve seen our kids struggle, especially since COVID, so taking concrete steps with everybody coming together to acknowledge the problem and to address it … is really the key.”

At the event announcing her candidacy in Grand Rapids, Brinks connected her record of fighting for working families to the determination she learned growing up on a dairy farm as the daughter of Dutch immigrants.

“What Michigan needs is a leader who fights for the people, someone who has proven she can deliver results and make government work better,” Brinks said. “That’s Jocelyn Benson — and I intend to be right by her side every step of the way, fighting for a Michigan we can all afford.

“Let’s go win this!”

MEA members on Election 2026

“Jocelyn Benson has shown that she can get things done, and she’s talking about addressing our most serious issues in education — equitable funding, starting teacher pay, student absenteeism. The state is still suffering from a teacher shortage that was created by former Gov. Rick Snyder when he attacked public educators and cut public school funding. I hope for a future where more young adults pursue a career in education and are treated with respect by all politicians.”

Eric Henzi, high school English teacher, Wayne-Westland Community Schools

“I was part of a roundtable discussion when Jocelyn Benson asked to hear our thoughts as educators. We talked about rising health care costs and the loss of pensions — how those issues make it hard to attract and retain good people. And we talked about student behaviors we’re dealing with. It’s her intent to form an education advisory panel, and that’s important. It’s refreshing when a policymaker wants to talk with the experts who actually do the work.”

Heather Schulz, middle school science teacher, Lakeview Public Schools (president of Local 1)

“What are we going to do collectively to rise up and to challenge and overcome all of these attacks that continue to happen to education? We have to lead for the benefit of our students. We are their voice, so it’s important that we all come together. We are the union, and it’s our children we’re talking about. It’s our job. Collectively we can influence who ends up sitting in that governor’s chair. We’ve all got to get in the game.”

Tamala Bell, fourth-grade teacher, Ann Arbor Public Schools (vice president of Ann Arbor Education Association)

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