---
title: "Benson, James Clash Over Data Centers, Taxes in Detroit Debate"
url: https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/16/benson-james-second-governor-debate-detroit/
date: 2026-10-16T10:22:36-04:00
modified: 2026-10-16T10:22:36-04:00
author: "HERE Detroit"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Lansing"
attribution: "HERE Lansing"
---

# Benson, James Clash Over Data Centers, Taxes in Detroit Debate

> DETROIT, Mich. — The two major candidates for Michigan governor met for a second time Thursday night, with Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James trading attacks on data centers, taxes and schools during an hour-long debate broadcast from a television studio in downtown Detroit. Their first meeting came last week in Grand Rapids. Benson

*Source: [HERE Lansing](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/16/benson-james-second-governor-debate-detroit/) — October 16, 2026 by HERE Detroit*

DETROIT, Mich. — The two major candidates for Michigan governor met for a second time Thursday night, with Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James trading attacks on data centers, taxes and schools during an hour-long debate broadcast from a television studio in downtown Detroit.

Their first meeting came last week in Grand Rapids. Benson is the sitting secretary of state, and James represents the 10th Congressional District, which takes in southern Macomb County plus Rochester and Rochester Hills.

On data centers, Benson called for rules that give communities a voice, said developers should cover their own power needs and said they should honor community benefit agreements. James said residents of each community should decide for themselves whether a project goes forward.

The two also split on property taxes. Benson pushed for a new way of sharing revenue between the state and local governments and an end to a single school funding formula for every district. James faulted local millage requests and said her talk of review panels was a cover for raising taxes.

James said he would push to amend the state constitution so the superintendent of schools and the elected education board answer to the governor. Benson countered that his campaigns had taken in $10 million from the DeVos family. On costs, she stressed health care, child care and housing, while he said cutting regulations would bring down energy bills.