The Gist Jocelyn Benson on Being a Purposeful / Purple State Warrior
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May 15, 2025 Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and author of 'The Purposeful Warrior,' discusses her efforts in restoring election integrity after the 2020 turmoil. She shares insights on combating election denialism and the challenges faced by public officials in maintaining democratic ideals. Her experiences highlight the importance of solid leadership during politically charged times. Additionally, Benson touches on the implications of ballot access debates, including the complexities surrounding potential exclusions of candidates like Trump.
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Jocelyn's Courageous Anecdote
- Jocelyn Benson shared a personal story of being terrorized by protesters at her home and choosing courage over fear.
- At 20, she exposed white supremacists from a hotel room, turning fear into purposeful action.
Connection of Extremism and Harm
- Extremist threats can seem isolated but their connections create harm for entire communities.
- Leaders' hateful rhetoric can incite followers' hateful actions, so it's crucial to be evidence-based in addressing this.
Election Officials Unite Post-2020
- Michigan and other battleground state secretaries regularly coordinated to combat election denialism after 2020.
- After threats at her home, bipartisan support via phone calls helped Benson feel connected and focused.
