‘Nobody who knows the Legislature better’: Brinks would bring active legislative approach as LG

Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), who serves as majority caucus chair for Senate Democrats, said that she believes Brinks would bring to the position someone who knows exactly how to execute ideas that Benson might bring forward to propose to the Legislature. 

“Winnie will know the path of how to get that done, who to talk to, who to get on board, and I think Jocelyn made a wise pick in Winnie,” Polehanki told Michigan Advance on Thursday. “There’s nobody who knows the Legislature better than Winnie, and I can see a scenario where Jocelyn will be able to rely on her, if she wants to, heavily in terms of passing her ideas.”

Brinks herself has made the same indication that she would intend to take on a more present role in the Legislature if elected in November, with a campaign spokesperson telling the Michigan Advance that she would bring an “active governing approach to the job.”

Speaking to reporters following Benson’s announcement of Brinks as her running mate, Brinks said that she believes it is a strength to have pre-existing strong relationships with legislators. 

“I think that will help us move our agenda. It will help us find common ground, and it will also help us work out differences,” she said. “I’m confident that those strong relationships will serve both the governor’s agenda well and the state Legislature’s agenda.”

She also told Gongwer News Service that she is “really excited to bring the depth of my experience at the Legislature to the table,” as a part of that more active legislative role. 

Brinks’ colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus cited her work ethic — Polehanki said her car is always one of the first in the parking lot — and her negotiating skill as key benefits to helping govern effectively if elected.  

“When things get to the highest level is when Winnie closes these deals. She’s a closer,” Polehanki said. “I can see her suiting up, being on time, running everything efficiently, and to the extent Jocelyn wants to use her expertise, she’s going to have a whole book of knowledge that she can rely on to guide Jocelyn through reaching her legislative goals.”

And Polehanki is not alone among her Democratic colleagues in celebrating Brinks as the pick for the role.

Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), the assistant majority leader for Senate Democrats, wrote on X, “I know as LG, she will continue to help us as we bring more positive change in 2027,” while Majority Whip Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) posted, “She’ll be a tremendous partner to help our next Governor get real, meaningful things done for Michigan families.”

Benson and Brinks will face a Republican ticket of U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) and state Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay). 

Much like Brinks, DeBoyer brings state-level legislative experience that James does not have — something that Dennis Lennox, a Republican public affairs consultant, said makes him “a governing partner, not a geographic or demographic box-checker” on the ticket. 

Brinks, on the other hand, seems to fulfill both sides of that statement — along with her strong legislative background, she is the only statewide candidate for either major party from West Michigan, and with Benson makes the first all-female gubernatorial ticket in the state’s history.

Brinks, who was term-limited from running for re-election in the state Legislature, will be officially nominated into the lieutenant governor position at the Michigan Democratic Party’s convention on Aug. 29.