2022 Michigan Secretary of State election

2022 Michigan Secretary of State election

November 8, 2022
 
Nominee Jocelyn Benson Kristina Karamo
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,467,859 1,852,510
Percentage 55.86% 41.93%

Benson:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Karamo:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Tie:      

Secretary of State before election

Jocelyn Benson
Democratic

Elected Secretary of State

Jocelyn Benson
Democratic

The 2022 Michigan Secretary of State election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the Secretary of State of Michigan. Incumbent Democrat Jocelyn Benson decisively won reelection to a second term, defeating Republican Kristina Karamo by a 14 percentage point margin.

Michigan does not hold partisan primaries for statewide offices other than governor. Instead, the state parties hold conventions in August to nominate candidates for the general election. Party nomination conventions were held on April 9 for the Michigan Democratic Party and April 23 for the Michigan Republican Party.[1][2]

Some analysts originally predicted for the race to be competitive, especially during the final days, but Benson's performance seemingly outperformed the polls following the election. The results held the largest margin in the 2022 state elections, as well as the worst performance by Republican candidate in the Secretary of State election since 1990. It was also the first time since 1990 that a Democratic candidate won re-election.

Background

The position of Secretary of State of Michigan is responsible for overseeing elections in the state.[3] Benson, a Democrat, was first elected to the position in 2018. She received national attention in her position following Joe Biden's victory in the state in the 2020 presidential election. Donald Trump's campaign contested Biden's victory in Michigan and filed a lawsuit over the counting of absentee ballots.[4]

The race for Michigan Secretary of State in 2022 received national attention over its potential impact on how the state would oversee the 2024 presidential election there.[5]

Democratic convention

Candidates

Nominee

Endorsements

Republican convention

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated at convention

Declined

Endorsements

Kristina Karamo

Executive officials

State officials

Organizations

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[19] Leans D November 3, 2022
Elections Daily[20] Likely D November 7, 2022

Post-primary endorsements

Jocelyn Benson (D)

Executive officials

U.S. Representatives

Organizations

Newspapers

Kristina Karamo (R)

Polling

Graphical summary

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size[a]
Margin
of error
Jocelyn
Benson (D)
Kristina
Karamo (R)
Other Undecided
Cygnal (R)[28] November 1–4, 2022 1,603 (LV) ± 2.5% 49% 44% 2%[b] 6%
Mitchell Research[29] November 3, 2022 658 (LV) ± 3.8% 51% 40% 2%[c] 7%
Cygnal (R)[30] October 31 – November 2, 2022 1,754 (LV) ± 2.3% 49% 42% 3%[d] 6%
EPIC-MRA[31] October 28 – November 1, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 50% 41% 3%[e] 6%
Cygnal (R)[32] October 27–31, 2022 1,584 (LV) ± 2.5% 50% 40% 3%[f] 7%
Cygnal (R)[33] October 25–29, 2022 1,543 (LV) ± 2.5% 50% 39% 3%[g] 8%
The Glengariff Group, Inc.[34] October 26–28, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 49% 39% 5% 7%
Cygnal (R)[35] October 23–27, 2022 1,822 (LV) ± 2.3% 49% 41% 3%[h] 8%
Cygnal (R)[36] October 21–25, 2022 1,378 (LV) ± 2.6% 50% 40% 3%[i] 8%
Cygnal (R)[37] October 19–23, 2022 1,459 (LV) ± 2.6% 48% 41% 3%[j] 8%
Cygnal (R)[38] October 17–21, 2022 1,904 (LV) ± 2.3% 49% 39% 3%[k] 9%
Mitchell Research[39] October 19, 2022 541 (LV) ± 4.2% 49% 40% 2%[l] 9%
Cygnal (R)[40] October 15–19, 2022 1,793 (LV) ± 2.3% 48% 40% 4%[m] 9%
CNN/SSRS[41] October 13–18, 2022 901 (RV) ± 4.2% 54% 41% 5%[n] 1%
651 (LV) ± 4.9% 51% 47% 1%[o]
Cygnal (R)[42][A] October 12–14, 2022 640 (LV) ± 3.9% 48% 42% 3%[p] 7%
EPIC-MRA[43] October 6–12, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 37% 4%[q] 12%
The Glengariff Group, Inc.[44] September 26–29, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 29% 8%[r] 14%
The Trafalgar Group (R)[45] September 24–28, 2022 1,075 (LV) ± 2.9% 50% 45% 4%[s] 2%
EPIC-MRA[46][B] September 15–19, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 51% 37% 12%
EPIC-MRA[47][C] September 7–13, 2022 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 48% 40% 7%[t] 5%
EPIC-MRA[48] August 18–23, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 44% 38% 18%
The Glengariff Group, Inc.[49] July 5–8, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 46% 39% 15%
Target Insyght[50] May 26–27, 2022 600 (RV) ± 4.0% 56% 23% 22%
EPIC-MRA[51] May 11–17, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 47% 38% 15%
The Glengariff Group, Inc.[52] January 3–7, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 46% 32% 22%

Results

2022 Michigan Secretary of State election[53]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jocelyn Benson (incumbent) 2,467,859 55.86% +2.96%
Republican Kristina Karamo 1,852,510 41.93% −2.05%
Libertarian Gregory Scott Stempfle 52,982 1.20% −0.76%
Constitution Christine Schwartz 27,937 0.63% −0.54%
Green Larry James Hutchinson Jr. 16,615 0.38% N/A
Total votes 4,417,903 100.00%
Democratic hold

By county

County Jocelyn Benson
Democratic
Kristina Karamo
Republican
Other Votes
% # % # % #
Alcona 34.5% 2,049 63.4% 3,765 2.2% 128
Alger 46.4% 1,982 51.7% 2,209 2.0% 85
Allegan 41.8% 23,777 55.8% 31,730 2.4% 1,357
Alpena 41.0% 5,679 56.5% 7,819 2.5% 343
Antrim 42.3% 5,892 55.8% 7,773 2.0% 273
Arenac 39.7% 2,827 57.2% 4,069 3.1% 218
Baraga 37.9% 1,303 60.1% 2,065 1.9% 66
Barry 39.8% 12,096 57.6% 16,539 2.6% 821
Bay 52.9% 25,733 44.4% 21,589 2.8% 1,339
Benzie 50.3% 5,352 47.9% 5,096 1.7% 185
Berrien 45.8% 29,086 52.0% 33,004 2.2% 1,425
Branch 36.3% 5,816 60.9% 9,752 2.7% 435
Calhoun 49.5% 25,341 47.9% 24,497 2.6% 1,411
Cass 35.4% 7,132 62.3% 12,560 2.4% 476
Charlevoix 45.4% 6,629 52.5% 7,662 2.0% 298
Cheboygan 39.6% 5,240 58.1% 7,687 2.2% 293
Chippewa 43.5% 6,277 53.9% 7,774 2.6% 367
Clare 38.4% 5,031 59.1% 7,749 2.5% 321
Clinton 50.9% 20,722 47.1% 19,167 2.0% 799
Crawford 40.0% 2,590 57.4% 3,709 2.6% 168
Delta 40.4% 6,942 57.3% 9,848 2.3% 394
Dickinson 35.9% 4,276 62.1% 7,401 2.0% 233
Eaton 54.4% 28,891 43.4% 23,046 2.2% 1,148
Emmet 47.7% 9,087 50.3% 9,595 2.0% 386
Genesee 59.6% 101,391 38.1% 64,694 2.3% 3,731
Gladwin 39.0% 4,654 58.4% 6,964 2.6% 312
Gogebic 45.6% 2,917 52.0% 3,329 2.4% 151
Grand Traverse 52.4% 27,236 45.5% 23,655 2.0% 1,054
Gratiot 42.0% 6,394 55.1% 8,382 2.9% 448
Hillsdale 31.0% 5,740 66.4% 12,297 2.6% 477
Houghton 45.8% 7,024 51.9% 7,962 2.3% 360
Huron 38.7% 5,739 58.9% 8,747 2.4% 361
Ingham 69.0% 81,444 28.7% 33,886 2.3% 2,672
Ionia 42.3% 11,363 54.9% 14,747 2.8% 764
Iosco 42.7% 5,365 54.7% 6,864 2.6% 322
Iron 40.7% 2,284 57.4% 3,225 1.9% 108
Isabella 53.0% 12,555 44.5% 10,528 2.5% 587
Jackson 45.5% 29,197 51.9% 33,311 2.5% 1,635
Kalamazoo 62.8% 72,625 34.9% 40,394 2.3% 2,664
Kalkaska 33.7% 2,957 63.3% 5,553 3.1% 288
Kent 55.9% 166,403 41.9% 124,656 2.2% 6,396
Keweenaw 48.0% 665 50.1% 693 1.9% 26
Lake 39.8% 2,079 58.1% 3,033 2.1% 110
Lapeer 38.5% 16,688 58.1% 25,517 2.1% 1,196
Leelanau 55.4% 8,534 43.1% 6,633 1.5% 226
Lenawee 42.5% 17,976 55.0% 23,289 2.6% 1,080
Livingston 45.5% 49,060 52.2% 56,247 2.3% 2,444
Luce 32.9% 770 64.7% 1,515 2.4% 56
Mackinac 42.8% 2,542 55.3% 3,282 1.9% 115
Macomb 54.6% 207,115 43.2% 164,011 2.2% 8,387
Manistee 46.9% 5,887 50.8% 6,388 2.3% 289
Marquette 60.3% 18,743 37.4% 11,631 2.2% 596
Mason 43.0% 6,316 54.7% 8,033 2.3% 350
Mecosta 39.4% 6,856 58.0% 10,090 2.6% 449
Menominee 35.6% 3,411 62.1% 5,959 2.3% 220
Midland 48.6% 19,789 48.9% 19,927 2.5% 1,032
Missaukee 26.1% 1,934 71.4% 5,287 2.5% 186
Monroe 44.5% 30,284 53.0% 36,021 2.5% 1,771
Montcalm 38.6% 10,073 58.5% 15,263 2.9% 753
Montmorency 33.1% 1,686 64.5% 3,290 2.4% 121
Muskegon 56.1% 40,916 41.5% 30,275 2.4% 1,763
Newaygo 35.0% 7,907 62.3% 14,089 2.7% 621
Oakland 62.6% 390,707 35.5% 221,357 1.9% 11,574
Oceana 41.8% 5,010 55.6% 6,668 2.6% 308
Ogemaw 38.1% 3,727 59.4% 5,803 2.5% 241
Ontonagon 41.3% 1,337 56.5% 1,829 2.2% 72
Osceola 30.6% 3,157 67.0% 6,916 2.5% 253
Oscoda 32.4% 1,289 65.0% 2,581 2.6% 103
Otsego 38.1% 4,735 59.4% 7,374 2.4% 303
Ottawa 42.2% 61,240 55.9% 81,113 1.9% 3,701
Presque Isle 41.3% 2,997 56.6% 4,105 2.1% 153
Roscommon 40.7% 5,230 57.0% 7,314 2.3% 292
Saginaw 55.0% 44,376 42.7% 34,505 2.3% 1,855
Sanilac 34.6% 6,442 62.7% 11,663 2.7% 502
Schoolcraft 39.9% 1,538 57.8% 2,230 2.4% 91
Shiawassee 46.9% 15,038 50.5% 16,204 2.6% 844
St. Clair 43.2% 31,777 53.8% 39,522 3.0% 2,189
St. Joseph 38.9% 8,460 58.0% 12,607 3.0% 960
Tuscola 37.2% 8,865 60.0% 14,311 2.8% 670
Van Buren 49.2% 15,572 48.1% 15,219 2.7% 851
Washtenaw 76.0% 136,412 22.2% 39,847 1.8% 3,175
Wayne 72.0% 460,023 25.9% 165,585 2.0% 13,117
Wexford 37.7% 5,658 59.8% 8,985 2.5% 370
Totals 55.86% 2,467,859 41.93% 1,852,510 2.21% 97,534

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

Benson won nine of 13 congressional districts, including two that elected Republicans.[54]

District Benson Karamo Representative
1st 44% 53% Jack Bergman
2nd 42% 56% John Moolenaar
3rd 57% 41% Peter Meijer (117th Congress)
Hillary Scholten (118th Congress)
4th 51% 47% Bill Huizenga
5th 42% 56% Tim Walberg
6th 68% 30% Debbie Dingell
7th 55% 42% Elissa Slotkin
8th 56% 41% Dan Kildee
9th 43% 54% Lisa McClain
10th 58% 40% John James
11th 66% 32% Haley Stevens
12th 76% 22% Rashida Tlaib
13th 77% 21% Shri Thanedar

Notes

  1. ^ Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ^ "Third party candidate" with 2%
  3. ^ "Another candidate" with 2%
  4. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  5. ^ Hutchinson (G) with 1%; Schwartz (UTP) with 1%; Stempfle (L) with 1%
  6. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  7. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  8. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  9. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  10. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  11. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  12. ^ "Another candidate" with 2%
  13. ^ "Third party candidate" with 4%
  14. ^ "Neither" with 3%; "Other with 2%
  15. ^ "Neither" with 1%
  16. ^ "Third party candidate" with 3%
  17. ^ Stempfle (L) with 2%; Schwartz (UTP) with 1%; Hutchinson (G) with 1%
  18. ^ Stempfle with 4%; Hutchinson Jr. with 3%; Schwartz with 1%
  19. ^ Stempfle (L) and "Other" with 2%
  20. ^ "Third party candidate" with 7%
  1. ^ This poll was sponsored by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters
  2. ^ Poll conducted for WJRT-TV and the Detroit Free Press.
  3. ^ Poll conducted for MIRS, Governmental Consultant Services Inc., and the Life Insurance Association of Michigan.

References

  1. ^ "2022 Election Dates Booklet" (PDF). Michigan Secretary of State. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Mauger, Craig (August 16, 2021). "Michigan GOP sets early convention, declines vote by hand count". The Detroit News. Retrieved December 22, 2021.
  3. ^ About the Michigan Department of State (Michigan.gov)
  4. ^ "Michigan judge dismisses Trump campaign lawsuit over absentee ballots". PBS NewsHour. November 5, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  5. ^ McQuade, Barbara (May 12, 2022). "Opinion | The Most Pivotal Elections in 2022 Are Not the Ones You Think". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "2022 People Endorsements". AFSCME Council 25. June 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Sutton, Dana (January 25, 2022). "AFT Michigan Endorses Whitmer, Benson and Nessel in 2022 Midterms". AFT Michigan. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  8. ^ "UAW ENDORSES GRETCHEN WHITMER FOR REELECTION AS GOVERNOR OF MICHIGAN – LT. GOV. GILCHREST, A.G. NESSEL AND S.O.S. BENSON ALSO GET NOD". UAW. May 6, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  9. ^ White, Rose (April 9, 2022). "Jocelyn Benson, Dana Nessel, others snag endorsements from the Michigan Democratic Party". www.mlive.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  10. ^ Barrett, Malachi (May 13, 2021). "Republican who challenged Michigan election results now running for Secretary of State". www.mlive.com. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "Chesterfield Township Clerk Cindy Berry joins race for Michigan secretary of state". www.voicenews.com. October 25, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  12. ^ Mauger, Craig (October 4, 2021). "Michigan GOP lawmaker announces secretary of state campaign". www.detroitnews.com. The Detroit News. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  13. ^ Mauger, Craig (September 7, 2021). "Donald Trump backs Michigan election critic for secretary of state". www.detroitnews.com. The Detroit News. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  14. ^ Mathews, Jessica (September 17, 2021). "No SOS Run For State Representative Ann Bollin". www.whmi.com. WHMI-FM. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  15. ^ King, Jon (September 24, 2021). "Reckling Considering Run For Michigan Secretary Of State". www.whmi.com. WHMI-FM. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  16. ^ Cavitt, Mark (September 9, 2021). "Donald Trump endorses Oak Park's Kristina Karamo for secretary of state". www.thenewsherald.com. The News-Herald. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  17. ^ Burr, Alyssa (April 11, 2022). "Karamo secures former secretary of state's endorsement as GOP convention nears". www.mlive.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  18. ^ Parks, Miles (April 25, 2022). "Michigan GOP moves forward with 2020 election-denying secretary of state and AG". Georgia Public Broadcasting.
  19. ^ "Secretary of State and Attorney General: What to Watch for Next Week in Key Statewide Contests". Sabato's Crystal Ball. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Solomon, Zack (November 7, 2022). "Elections Daily Secretary of State Ratings". Elections Daily. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  21. ^ "Obama to stump in key races". Politico. October 15, 2022.
  22. ^ Montellaro, Zach. "Kinzinger endorses Dems in major governor, secretary of state races". POLITICO. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  23. ^ "Human Rights Campaign Endorses Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for Reelection". Human Rights Campaign. August 26, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  24. ^ Saccone, Mike (July 12, 2022). "National Wildlife Federation Action Fund Endorses Whitmer, Nessel, Benson for Re-Election". National Wildlife Federation.
  25. ^ "Here are all Detroit Free Press endorsements for 2022 general election". Detroit Free Press. October 19, 2022. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  26. ^ "From the Daily: Endorsements for the 2022 Michigan midterms". November 2022.
  27. ^ "Candidates - America First Secretary of State Coalition". americafirstsos.com. November 26, 2018. Archived from the original on September 13, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
  28. ^ Cygnal (R)
  29. ^ Mitchell Research
  30. ^ Cygnal (R)
  31. ^ EPIC-MRA
  32. ^ Cygnal (R)
  33. ^ Cygnal (R)
  34. ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
  35. ^ Cygnal (R)
  36. ^ Cygnal (R)
  37. ^ Cygnal (R)
  38. ^ Cygnal (R)
  39. ^ Mitchell Research
  40. ^ Cygnal (R)
  41. ^ CNN/SSRS
  42. ^ Cygnal (R)
  43. ^ EPIC-MRA
  44. ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
  45. ^ The Trafalgar Group (R)
  46. ^ EPIC-MRA
  47. ^ EPIC-MRA
  48. ^ EPIC-MRA
  49. ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
  50. ^ Target Insyght
  51. ^ EPIC-MRA
  52. ^ The Glengariff Group, Inc.
  53. ^ "2022 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Election Results.
  54. ^ "DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved November 6, 2024.

Official campaign websites