8-18 media

Candidate Benson originally wanted to be a teacher

On Aug. 27, I sat down on a hard bench with nerves fluttering and jitters jittering.

I was sitting next to Jocelyn Benson and I felt like a real reporter, like Nancy Wheeler in "Stranger Things." On that day, my friend Ondine Clark-Bonk and I interviewed Benson at a meet-and-greet at the Ore Dock in Marquette.

We entered the brewery, and all of a sudden butterflies erupted in my stomach. It felt like I was a volcano. My media badge was bouncing on my chest, and I absentmindedly started to fidget with it.

Marnie Foucault, the director of 8-18 Media, went to buy Ondine and myself root beers -- so kind of her! -- and I started reviewing my questions. Ondine and I took turns pretending to ask Benson and responding. We finished our root beer -- so delicious -- and Marnie told us it was time for the interview.

We went to the little nook where they keep all the games right by the door and in walked Benson. She looked so professional and also like she could tame a tiger with one look.

I couldn’t believe it, I was going to interview a person running for governor!

We sat down, and it started. Ondine went first, asking a question about reaching young voters. Benson took no time in answering. She responded with a concise answer that sounded genuine and unrehearsed.

Then it was my turn. I gulped and started to speak, willing myself not to burp or have my voice crack. I croaked out my first question, "What's the hardest part about your job?" It was only seven words, but it felt like I was reading an entire book.

Just like before, I was amazed at how prepared she was for our questions. She answered in what felt like a second, "The truth is, when people are mean ... when we have to work with people who lie and ... try to play games instead of actually getting stuff done. That's the hardest part ... because there's so much work we have to do to actually improve people's lives."

I nodded, and just like that Ondine was speaking again. I noted something that really pleased me: Benson really treated us like we were any other reporters; she didn't treat us like babies.

Soon it was my turn again. "Have you always wanted to be a politician?" I questioned. "No. I wanted to be a teacher," she surprisingly replied. "My parents were teachers, and I started as an educator as well, but I saw the opportunity for public service to be used to help more teachers, help more students, help more schools get information and education and resources, so I got involved in politics as a means toward solving a lot of problems, improving access to education and making sure voting works well for everyone."

This response was something that shocked me. In my mind, all politicians always wanted to be politicians from the start of their career. They went to school, then they ran for something. Sometimes they won and sometimes they lost. This answer made me think of politicians in a whole new way.

But when you think about it, a teacher and a politician have some similarities. They both teach people things, help people and need great communication skills. I thought about this as Ondine asked her last question and Benson responded.

I was startled when it was my turn again, and my fears came true. I stumbled over my words, "What is your main goal you want to achieve as governor?" I garbled out.

Luckily, she understood what I said and replied with great speed. "Well, I'm a mom of a 10-year-old little boy. And it's really important to me that he and you and all of our young kids grow up in Michigan ... where the water is clean to drink, where the air is clean to breathe, where you can get access to health care and good-paying jobs and whatever you want to do with your life and then choose to build your life here at Michigan.

"So I'm running for governor because I want to make Michigan the best place to call home, best place to be a kid, best place to raise a family, the best place to build your career. That's what’s motivating me on behalf of my kids and our young people all across the state."

"Wow!" I thought. Those are some good reasons and definitely some compelling ones. We thanked her for her time and stopped the recording device.

I thought she would get up and go talk to other reporters, but instead she stayed and talked. She asked us what we wanted to be when we grow up and what we like to do. It was such a special time.

When we left the Ore Dock, my nerves were fluttering and jitters jittering, but this time out of awe of who we just talked to. I skipped down the sidewalk, thinking to myself, "If I were old enough to vote, I would vote for Benson."

Edith Kitchel is a 12-year-old person who lives on planet Earth. Edith loves reading and may try fencing in the near future. Edith also enjoys trying to touch their nose with their tongue, making art and reading.