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2026 Democratic Primary Voters' Guide

Vote With Power

Know Before You Vote

This is your no-spin breakdown of the candidates shaping Michigan’s future. The MDR Voters Guide puts their positions side-by-side on the issues that actually impact your life so you can cut through the noise and vote with confidence.

Download it, share it, and help build the informed electorate our democracy depends on.

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Verified & Transparent

Our Sources

Every claim in this guide is backed by publicly available data, candidate statements, and verified reporting—because an informed vote starts with trusted information.

Methodology

Policy position summaries in this guide reflect a combination of independent research by our team and responses to policy questionnaires sent to candidates we were able to reach. Candidates who completed a questionnaire are clearly indicated on this Sources page, where their full responses are published in their own words. For all candidates, these responses may be condensed, supplemented, or contextualized with additional information we consider pertinent.

Our editorial team retains final approval over all published content.

Each policy position on the Voters Guide is rated as Pass, Mixed, or Fail based on how well it aligns with the values and priorities of Macomb Defenders Rising. These ratings are editorial judgments made by our team using the research and candidate responses described below. A ‘Pass’ indicates strong alignment, a ‘Fail’ indicates a clear conflict, and a ‘Mixed’ rating reflects partial alignment, insufficient detail, or a position that warrants further context.

Our Values

Our goal is to build an effective opposition party capable of defeating authoritarianism. We believe the antidote to authoritarianism is an engaged, informed electorate.

Voters deserve principled FIGHTERS who will stand up to Trump and represent YOUR INTERESTS over that of a wealthy donor class.

This Voters Guide is for informational purposes on where the candidates stand.

It does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate.

Lobbying

Jocelyn Benson

94% of donations $100 or less. Increase disclosure requirements for political spending. Close revolving door between lawmakers & lobbyists.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Fight for people, not special interests. Close revolving door between lawmakers & lobbyists. Require ‘cooling off period’ for regulators returning to private sector.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: “The revolving door from lawmaker to lobbyist has influenced Lansing politics for too long. I support a minimum “cooling off” period for elected officials and state directors. Promoting the interests of the people will always be my first priority."
  • https://swansonformichigan.com/issue/a-better-lansing/

Cost of Living

Jocelyn Benson

Incentivize affordable housing. Lower cost of child care. Expand RXKids. Fight corporate price gouging.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Address housing supply shortages. Expand affordable child care. Grow well paying union jobs, protect prevailing wages.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: “The cost of living crisis permeates every facet of life for nearly every Michigander and small business. As Governor, I will champion policies directly addressing affordability, housing supply shortages, skyrocketing child-care costs, and grow good paying union jobs while protecting prevailing wages.”
  • https://swansonformichigan.com/issue/build-in-michigan/

Infrastructure

Jocelyn Benson

Modernized SoS offices. Expand light rail. Regulate data centers. Hold energy companies accountable. Protect the Great Lakes.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Make infrastructure a priority, beyond roads and bridges. Sustainable sewer and water. Hold energy companies accountable. Expand broadband access.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: ”Michigan must make infrastructure a long standing priority which goes beyond our roadways and bridges. I will create sustainability in our water and sewer systems. I will hold energy companies responsible to invest in our energy grid and make certain we expand reliable broadband service to rural and underserved communities.”
  • https://swansonformichigan.com/issue/build-in-michigan/

Health

Jocelyn Benson

Fight privatization schemes. Fix Department of Health and Human Services. Stand with striking workers.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Fill gaps caused by federal cuts. Ensure access to mental health care, addiction treatment, emergency, & preventive care for our most vulnerable citizens.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: “Attacks on funding for healthcare services from the federal government has made getting mental health care, addiction treatment, life-saving procedures and critical preventative services more difficult, or impossible. I will work to ensure funding and services are available for our families and most vulnerable citizens.”

Education

Jocelyn Benson

Continue free breakfast and lunch program. Decouple K-12 funding from property wealth. Free community college and pre-K.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Continue free breakfast and lunch program. Protect K-12 funding. Oppose private vouchers. Expand programs which help inmates access education.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: “I will protect our children’s basic needs by continuing free breakfast and lunch programs for public schools. I will protect Pre-K-12 school aid funding from being used as a “slush fund”. I oppose vouchers for private schools, and I will establish educational programs like I.G.N.I.T.E. for Michigan jails and prisons that’s proven to reduce crime and homelessness, break addictions and create a pathway to long term success.”
  • https://swansonformichigan.com/issue/7-point-education-plan/

Civil Rights

Jocelyn Benson

Strong proponent of mail in voting and independent redistricting. Protect election workers. Combat disinformation.

Sources:
Chris Swanson

Ensure that Michiganders don’t live in fear. Defend Constitutional Rights from current unprecedented attacks.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Chris Swanson’s campaign: “Now more than ever, our constitutional rights and freedoms are eroding at an unprecedented rate. Protecting the rights of everyone is the foundation of democracy. Among them, Freedom of Speech, Reproductive Rights, Marriage Equality and the assurance that everyone in Michigan doesn’t live in fear. This is what I’ve devoted my entire professional life to and I will do so as Governor.”
  • https://swansonformichigan.com/issue/safe-communities-are-strong-communities/

Lobbying

Abdul El-Sayed

Does not accept corporate PACs. Small donor funded.

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Doesn’t accept corporate PACs. Small donor funded. Controversy over potential ties to pro-Israel lobby.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Accepts corporate PACs. Taken over $9m from AIPAC and other pro-Israel lobbyists.

Sources:

Cost of Living

Abdul El-Sayed

Empower workers. Hold corporations accountable. Guarantee robust social safety net.

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Lower housing, childcare, & healthcare costs. Raise wages & cut taxes for working families.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Bolster manufacturing. Support workers. Pursue pragmatic, bipartisan policy solutions.

Sources:

Health

Abdul El-Sayed

Replace Affordable Care Act with Medicare For All. Abolish medical debt.

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Strengthen and expand the Affordable Care Act. Add a Public Option.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Strengthen and expand the Affordable Care Act. Filed to impeach RFK Jr.

Sources:

Education

Abdul El-Sayed

Make college and trade schools tuition-free. Universal Pre-K.

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Tuition-free community college. Lower costs for 4 year colleges and trade schools. Universal Pre-K.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Advance equity and affordability. Expand STEM and workforce training.

Sources:

ICE

Abdul El-Sayed

Fully dismantle ICE: “ICE is a paramilitary force ... [in] service of a would-be dictator.”

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Demand sweeping overhaul of ICE. Tie funding to oversight & accountability reforms.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Voted with Republicans to thank ICE (2025). Has since called for oversight & accountability.

Sources:

Gaza

Abdul El-Sayed

First candidate to speak out against the genocide in Gaza.

Sources:
Mallory McMorrow

Conflict is a "moral abomination"; by definition a genocide.

Sources:
Haley Stevens

Supports Israeli war effort. Did not call for immediate ceasefire.

Sources:

Lobbying

Christina Hines

Does not accept corporate PACs. Ban Congressional stock trading. End Citizens United.

Sources:
Eric Chung

Does not accept corporate PACs. Individual donor funded.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Accepts corporate PACs. Potential ties to pro-Israel lobby. Wants stronger disclosure requirements.

Sources:

Cost of Living

Christina Hines

⬇️ Taxes for Middle Class. ⬆️ Taxes for Billionaires. Good jobs and fair wages.

Sources:
Eric Chung

Raise wages and reduce taxes on working families. Crack down on price gouging. Roll back tariffs.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Fight Trump’s reckless tariffs. Increase federal minimum wage, index to inflation. Pass PRO Act.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Tim Greimel’s campaign: “I'm focused on bringing down the cost of living so working families in the 10th District can actually get ahead—not just get by. When I was at Meijer last week, ground beef (basic ground beef!) was almost $7 a pound. When ground beef costs $7 a pound, the system is failing us. Trump's reckless tariffs are making it worse—they're a tax on American consumers that are driving up prices on everything from groceries to gas. We need to increase the federal minimum wage and index it to inflation, fix our broken supply chains, roll back these crushing tariffs, and pass the PRO Act to protect all workers and to make it easier for unions to organize new members.”
  • https://timgreimel.com/

Health

Christina Hines

Universal Healthcare 🏥

Sources:
Eric Chung

Reverse Medicaid cuts. Restore ACA tax credits. Add public option. Expand drug price negotiation.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Successfully expanded Medicaid access. Add public option. Ensure drug price negotiation.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Tim Greimel’s campaign: “Right here in MI-10, over 47,000 ACA marketplace enrollees have either lost their coverage or are paying skyrocketing premiums because Washington is broken. Our working families shouldn’t have to choose between paying for their healthcare and putting food on the table for their families. I successfully fought to expand Medicaid access in Michigan, providing health insurance to over 7000,000 [sic: 700,000] uninsured and underinsured Michiganders, and I am the only candidate in this race who has both fought for and delivered more affordable health care to Michiganders. I plan to continue that fight in Congress, ensuring that Medicare negotiates all drug prices and supporting a public health insurance option accessible to any American who wants to participate in it.”
  • https://timgreimel.com/

Education

Christina Hines

Universal childcare. Expand apprenticeships. Invest in public education and teachers.

Sources:
Eric Chung

Tuition-free community college. Universal Pre-K. Expand Pell Grants. Ensure equitable funding for K-12.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Tuition-free community college. Expand access to apprenticeship programs. Fight right-wing meddling.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Tim Greimel’s campaign: “As a former local school board member in the 10th Congressional District, I won battles against the right-wing when they tried to ban books and ban comprehensive sex education, and I will always fight against right-wing efforts to meddle in education at all levels. Every kid in Michigan's 10th District deserves a strong start and a great public school. Here's the bottom line: we need tuition-free community college, income-driven loan repayment schedules, and full funding of our public schools with improved middle-class salaries our teachers deserve—period. We also need to expand access to apprenticeships that lead to good-paying union jobs, because not every path to success requires a four-year degree.”
  • https://timgreimel.com/

ICE

Christina Hines

Bipartisan immigration reform. Rein in ICE/DHS. Safe communities.

Sources:
Eric Chung

Overhaul ICE / DHS. Tie funding to oversight & accountability reforms.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Vetoed unanimous city council resolution opposing immigration raids (2025). Has since called for an end to inhumane detentions.

Sources:

Civil Rights

Christina Hines

Protect Voting Rights 🗳️Repro Freedom Champ. Freedom for ALL.

Sources:
Eric Chung

Constitutional lawyer who will defend civil rights and hold the Trump admin accountable.

Sources:
Tim Greimel

Bolster manufacturing. Support workers. Pursue pragmatic, bipartisan policy solutions.

Sources:
  • Questionnaire response from Tim Greimel’s campaign: “As a former civil rights attorney, I know that people’s basic liberties and civil rights are non-negotiable. In Congress, I'll fight every attempt by this administration to roll back the progress we've made. That means passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the Freedom to Vote Act to guarantee early voting and vote-by-mail. We need to expand access to the ballot box, not restrict it.”
  • https://housedems.com/house-democratic-caucus-chooses-greimel-to-be-its-leader/

Lobbying

Ray Pooley

Get big money out of politics. Overturn Citizens United. Ban insider trading. Term limits for Congress (3 terms in House, 2 in Senate). Term limits for SCOTUS (one 12 yearterm). Implement Ranked Choice Voting.

Sources:

Cost of Living

Ray Pooley

Bring back American manufacturing. Ensure that an honest day’s work pays a living a wage. Lower working class taxes. Close tax loopholes AND tax the rich. Stand with unions, small businesses, and family farms.

Sources:

Health

Ray Pooley

Medicare For All. Free IVF. Expand mental health care access. Paid maternity and paternity leave for all.Protect our Great Lakes and our planet. Expand clean energy and regenerative farming practices.

Sources:

Education

Ray Pooley

Protect our children without eroding our freedoms. Safe communities and 2A rights NOT mutually exclusive. Expand trade schools. Build up skilled workers right here within the United States.

Sources:

ICE

Ray Pooley

Abolish ICE: no more fear and chaos on our streets. Fix our immigration system to be efficient and secure. Stand with Ukraine and Palestine. No more forever wars.

Sources:

Civil Rights

Ray Pooley

Stand with women. Stand with LGBTQ+ communities. Defend reproductive rights. Legalize marijuana. Protect Unions. Right to a healthy planet and clean environment.

Sources: