Detroit Evening Report: Jocelyn Benson releases list of 2024 presidential primary candidates

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Editor’s note: Today’s episode of “The Detroit Evening Report” podcast included information about a public meeting the City of Detroit planned to hold on Thursday to view final design plans for the new Brennan Recreational Center. That meeting has been canceled.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Monday released the 2024 presidential primary candidate list, as required by Michigan State Law.

Under state law, the Secretary of State is required to issue a list of individuals “generally advocated by the national news media to be potential presidential candidates” for the Republican and Democratic parties for the presidential primary election.


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President Joe Biden, U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) and author Marianne Williamson were included in the list as possible candidates for the Democratic nomination. Republican candidates on the list included North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former President Donald Trump.

A Michigan judge on Tuesday shot down a lawsuit alleging that Trump is not eligible for the Michigan primary ballot due to his role in “inciting and facilitating” the U.S. Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, disqualifying him under Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Court of Claims Judge James Redford rejected that argument, stating that because Trump followed state law in qualifying for the primary ballot, he cannot remove the former president.

The chairs of the Michigan Democratic and Republican parties had until 4 p.m. on Tuesday to add names to the list. Any identified candidate who wants to change to a different party or withdraw as a candidate has until 4 p.m. Dec. 8 to notify the Michigan Bureau of Elections.

Along with the candidates listed on the ballot, voters may choose “uncommitted” as an option. The Michigan presidential primary will be held on Feb. 27, 2024.

Other headlines for Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023:

  • Detroit Music, a nonprofit organization, will begin a series of events beginning Thursday, Nov. 16, that aim to provide mental health support for Detroit musicians, with each event showcasing a musical genre the city is known for.
  • Louisiana Creole Gumbo, one of Detroit’s oldest Black-owned restaurants, is moving to a new location, just down the street from where the eatery has operated for more than 50 years, on Gratiot Avenue near Eastern Market. 
  • The Kemeny Recreation Center will host the Kemeny Showcase of Thanks from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, featuring performances from local dance companies, light refreshments and a meet and greet with the performers. 
  • The Community Center at AB Ford will host Conversation and Connection, a speed-dating styled event for 18 and older LGBTQIA+ individuals looking for friendship, community and more, from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.

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Author

  • Tia Graham
    Tia Graham is a reporter and Weekend Edition Host for 101.9 WDET. She graduated from Michigan State University where she had the unique privilege of covering former President Barack Obama and his trip to Lansing in 2014.