“Voters are attracted to competitive races,” said Matt Grossman, a professor of political science at Michigan State University. “The dynamics could change if, for example, one of the Senate candidates pulls away, but the governor’s race is still tight.” State candidates now increasingly rely on the same voters as their high-profile federal counterparts to get elected, Grossmann noted, while that wasn’t previously the case. “We have to prove that freedom works, that free enterprise works, that lower taxes work, that enforcing the law works, that phonics work, strong families, faith and freedom work,” James said in the address. “All of us as Democratic candidates want to reduce costs, grow our economy, increase wages, protect rights and freedoms and fight corruption,” Benson said.