Lansing, Michigan – Before an attempt observed nationally to become The next Governor of MichiganDemocrat Jocelyn Benson Publish a memoir this month which includes her first public discussion on a miscarriage that she had about eight years ago – an experience which, according to her, will shape her commitment to increase access to reproductive health care in the Swing State.
Benson, Michigan Secretary of Stateis part of a crowded field seeking to succeed Governor Gretchen Whitmer and she is the only woman in the running so far.
In an interview with the Associated Press before the release of Tuesday of his political memories entitled “The useful warrior”, Benson declared that the error gave his value to easy access to reproductive health care in an emotional and difficult situation, which she wanted to deliver for the State if it is elected.
“It opened my eyes to the need not only to protect freedom and the rights of reproduction, but actually ensure that they are real,” said Benson.
In a chapter entitled “Grit and Grace”, Benson describes that she was pregnant shortly after the first anniversary of her son and shortly before launching his candidacy to secretary of state In 2017. Waves of concern about the moment and the exaltation of becoming the mother of two children followed. But just a day later, she started to make a miscarriage.
She wrote on the doctor’s appointment during her eighth week of pregnancy where she learned her options: surgery, drugs or mortiniaries and what to expect as her miscarriage continued. The next morning, she had made a miscarriage by herself.
“The emotional impact of this remains with you throughout your life,” she told AP.
Benson said that she had a hard time doing shame and guilt, emotions she had learned that many women lived.
“I want to tell my story to say that it’s ok to say also yours,” she said.
In the years following the Supreme United States Court, ROE c. Wade, women looking for a public service shared personal stories of false layers and abortions. Democrats And Republicans talked about their pregnancies, as reproductive and maternal health care has become a central concern for Americans.
In Michigan, Voters approved a voting measure in 2022 To protect access to abortion, during an election that also saw the Democrats sweep the elections across the state and legislative scale. But Benson said protection was not enough.
The first step is to encourage talented doctors to work in Michigan, she said. The second step is to strengthen reproductive health care in rural Michigan, she said, suggesting mobile clinics that can reach distant areas.
It noted the recent closure of three Planned Parenthood locations in Michigan, including its only location in the upper peninsula. Certain Planned Parenthood locations provide abortions in addition to services such as birth control, disease screenings and false layers management.
Planned Parenthood of Michigan The leaders quoted the financial challenges exacerbated by A freezing of federal dollars For closures. Federal law has already prohibited taxpayers to pay most of the abortions.
Center reproduction rights in the 2026 primary will be another test of the importance of the question for democratic voters. Benson will face Lieutenant Garlin Gilchrist II And The Sheriff of the County of Genesee Chris Swanson in the governor’s primary. Whitmer, who is Term Limited, said that she was not planning to approve the race.
On the republican side, US rep. John James,, Leader of the minority of the State Senate Aaric Nesbitt And The former Attorney General of Michigan Mike Cox are in the running for the appointment and probably also the approval of President Donald Trump.
And torsion – The mayor of Detroit Mike DugganA longtime democrat, continues the office as independent. This decision comes as the Democrats lost considerable land in the 2024 elections. The state returned to Trump in the 2024 elections and the Republicans acquired a majority House of state representativesDivision of legislature control.
Among the anecdotes of his memoirs which include his mandate as head of the State elections in the elections in 2020 and his career in law before, Benson made a swaggan in Duggan on his management of the primary elections of 2018 for the Governor. She criticized her for not having supported Whitmer at the start of the race and encouraging other Democrats, who are men, to continue a race, citing reports in the New Yorker for years later.
“I will never forget the message that these efforts have sent to the women of our state,” Benson wrote. She noted that her own main campaign was linked to Whitmer’s by sex.
“The argument did something like, we surely cannot have more than one woman on the ticket at the same time,” wrote Benson.
The comments of the Memoirs of Benson on Duggan were reported for the first time by the Detroit News. A spokesperson for the Duggan campaign told the publication that the mayor of Detroit approved Whitmer in the Democrat primary more than two men.
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