Fact checks: Jocelyn Benson, Chris Swanson on data centers, energy and more

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are vying in Democratic gubernatorial primary
Benson has faced criticism on data centers and election administration, while some question Swanson on abortion
Bridge Michigan has the facts ahead of the Aug. 4 primary

LANSING — Democrats’ race to succeed the term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer comes to a head Tuesday as Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson faces Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

Unlike the Republican primary for governor or Democratic primary for US Senate, the Democratic gubernatorial race has featured fewer accusations and both candidates share similar stances on many major issues.

But some disagreements have surfaced, and Bridge is fact-checking claims in the race to face off against the winner of the Republican primary between US Rep. John James and Troy businessman Perry Johnson in the Nov. 3 general election.

Whitmer didn’t weigh in during the Democratic gubernatorial primary, but did endorse US Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, ahead of Tuesday’s US Senate primary election.

Let’s get into it.

Claim #1: Does Jocelyn Benson’s family profit from data centers?

Not according to Benson.

“None of my family is profiting from data centers,” she told Bridge Michigan at a campaign stop in Suttons Bay, a village in Leelanau County.

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That hasn’t stopped skeptics from pointing out Benson’s husband, Ryan Friedrichs, is a vice president at The Related Companies and had previously worked on bringing a hyperscale data center project to Saline Township known as The Barn.

When construction completes in 2027, the project – valued today at $43 billion – is expected to yield the largest hyperscale data center in Michigan.

When news of Friedrichs’ role became public in November 2025, critics alleged Benson’s family could profit from data centers. As public backlash grew against the planned facilities, Friedrichs announced he would take a new role in the company and no longer work on any Michigan projects.

Separately, The Related Companies told the Michigan Advance in March that Friedrichs does not work on commission and doesn’t personally profit from any Michigan-related projects.

To read more about Benson’s relationship with data centers, click here.

Claim #2: Is Chris Swanson against abortion?

Not now.

But his position received some scrutiny after Flint Area Right to Life Director Judith Climer claimed Swanson had told her he was pro-life — back in 2019.

Last year, Swanson issued a statement saying would “protect the constitutional right to an abortion and all reproductive health care” if elected governor.

Michigan voters enshrined abortion access into the state constitution in 2022 after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a landmark case which made abortion accessible nationwide, that spring.

“As the sheriff, I’ve always protected people’s individual rights and freedoms,” Swanson added. “As governor, I am going to do the exact same thing.”

To read more about Swanson’s stance on abortion, click here.

Claim #3: Can Jocelyn Benson influence her own election as Michigan’s Secretary of State?

No.

Despite claims from Republican opponents, Benson has no control over the fate of Michigan’s elections, whether that’s in the August primary or November general election.

Michigan is one of eight states with a decentralized election system, utilizing 83 county clerks, 281 city clerks, and 1,240 township clerks to administer elections at the local level. It’s one of the most decentralized elections systems in the country, per the Michigan Municipal League.

What’s more: Michigan’s bipartisan Board of State Canvassers ultimately decides which candidates get on the ballot and certifies election results, which are compiled by local election clerks across the state and are reviewed by county-level boards.

Canvassers dispute suggestions that Benson could influence or taint the signature verification process.

“I don’t think it’s a legitimate concern,” Republican Chair Richard Houskamp previously told Bridge. “Secretary Benson’s nowhere near those signatures.”

Nonetheless, Benson released a firewall plan on May 6 to assuage any fear that she may otherwise benefit from her currently-held state position.

Benson worked on the plan for nearly a year prior to its release with the help of the Election Reformers Network, a nonprofit that has developed recommendations to help secretaries of state build trust in elections when they are on the ballot.

To read the full list of how Benson said she’ll avoid conflicts of interest as secretary of state while running for governor, click here.

Claim #4: Does Chris Swanson want to roll back a Democratic-led effort to expand renewable energy projects?

Yes.

When Democrats controlled the state Legislature, lawmakers adopted a requirement that electric providers have a 100% clean energy portfolio by 2040 and meet a 60% renewable energy standard by 2035, among other things.

While the Republican-led House tried earlier this year to repeal those mandates, the Democratic-led Senate has already declared those efforts dead on arrival.

But Swanson stands apart from most Democrats in wanting to reverse a Democrat-penned law that allows the state to authorize renewable energy projects blocked by local officials.

Swanson said Michigan should “return regulatory authority back to local zoning boards.”

In earlier interviews with Bridge, Swanson said the state “must look at ways to return regulatory authority back to local zoning boards across our state on these critical issues.”

“I look forward to working with our local partners, residents, environmental experts and union organizations to ensure a solution that works for everyone involved,” he said when asked about his energy platform in May.

To read more about Swanson’s stance on energy mandates, click here.

Bridge Michigan Capitol Reporter Simon Schuster contributed to this report.