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Aug. 19, 2026 ~ CEO of Grassroots Midwest Adrian Hemmond joins Ryan Ermanni to discuss today’s announcement as gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson named Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks her running mate.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. ~ Democratic candidate for governor Jocelyn Benson selected current state Senate majority leader Winnie Brinks to be her lieutenant governor candidate Wednesday afternoon.
Brinks is the first-ever female majority leader of the Michigan Senate after Michigan Democrats won their first majority in the state senate in 40 years in 2022 and has worked with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the House on measures aimed at curbing gun violence and overhauling taxes.
The Kent County native was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012 and served three terms in the chamber.
Benson and Brinks will face off against Republican candidate for governor John James and his running mate, state Rep. Jay DeBoyer, in the gubernatorial election on Nov. 3.












