Benson, James spar in Michigan gubernatorial debate: 3 takeaways

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and Rep. John James (R-Mich.) faced off on the debate stage Tuesday, less than a month before voters decide which of the two will be the Wolverine State’s next governor.

During the debate, which Nexstar’s WOOD-TV hosted, the candidates touched on issues specific to the state — such as when Benson vowed to improve the efficiency of the Michigan Department and Health and Human Services and James pledged to cut taxes.

But national and international issues were also topics of conversation on Tuesday, including President Trump’s tariff war with Canada and the Iran conflict .

Here are three takeaways from the hour-long debate between the two candidates battling to succeed term-limited Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D).

Benson, James back suspending federal gas tax

Both candidates backed suspending the federal gas tax, as Michiganders face high prices at the pump amid the Iran war.

“My opponent could go, as I’ve asked him and others to do, to Washington tomorrow and eliminate or put a holiday on the federal gas tax, which would also provide necessary relief for Michigan families and families all across this nation,” Benson remarked.

“I have called on both the suspension of the federal and the state gas tax,” James said later in the debate.

A gallon of regular gas costs roughly $4.43 on average in Michigan as of Wednesday, above the national average of about $4.37 per gallon, according to data from AAA. Diesel fuel costs nearly $6.60 per gallon in the state, almost 30 cents higher than the national average.

In backing a suspension of the state fuel tax of roughly 52 cents per gallon, James noted such a move could lead to Michigan gas prices falling below $4 on average. But analysts have told The Hill that gas stations may not pass off the entire suspended gas tax to consumers.

Benson noted she was “open” to suspending the state fuel tax, while saying the federal government must “take responsibility” for elevated prices amid the war.

“I’m always open to finding any way to reduce costs as well, here in Michigan, and I’m looking forward to having those conversations with folks on both sides of the aisle in [the state capital,] Lansing,” the Democrat said.

James urges U.S., Canadian officials to ‘stop acting like children’ amid trade war

James broke with the Trump administration regarding the president’s tariffs on Canadian imports , saying he has urged U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to return to negotiations.

“We must get back to the table, stop acting like children and negotiate a reciprocal, fair and mutually beneficial arrangement, to make sure that we can bring our jobs back and protect our industry,” the three-term representative said of what he told Greer.

James did not explicitly say whether he supported Trump’s proposed 50 percent tariffs on Canadian automobiles, set to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2027.

Canada is Michigan’s top trading partner , as businesses in the state export $21.2 billion worth of goods to America’s northern neighbor annually, according to data from the Canadian government.

More than half of that is concentrated in the vehicles sector, including trucks, automobiles, engines and turbines.

Benson blasted Trump’s import taxes and promised to negotiate a “subnational agreement” with Canada if elected governor.

“It will enable us to ensure goods going between Michigan and Canada, and back and forth, are protected from these tariffs, from the John James tax, that has driven up costs and cost Michiganders jobs,” she added.

James says Iran war should have ended ‘yesterday’

When moderator Rick Albin asked James if there was an issue he disagreed with the president on, the congressman pointed to the seven-plus-month Iran conflict .

“Iran cannot have a nuke, but we need to wrap this thing up … yesterday,” James said, after praising the administration for exerting economic and diplomatic pressure on the Islamic Republic.

A former Army officer who served in Iraq, James said he will work with Trump to “do what we can” to end the war.

But Benson criticized her Republican opponent for voting six times against House war powers resolutions aimed at forcing the president to wind down the conflict.

“We need to be clear how we got here. It’s because of a reckless war in Iran that my opponent has voted six times to support, and that is directly to blame for the rising cost of gas and oil in this nation right now,” the Michigan secretary of state said early in the debate.

James defended his votes, saying they stemmed from his desire to keep funding the military while troops “were in harm’s way.”