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Michigan Governor Race 2026

Latest sourced poll, full poll history, Cook and DDHQ ratings, and candidates. Research snapshot checked 2026-10-22.

Latest poll

Benson (Democrat)51%
James (Republican)45%

Marist, fielded 2026-10-15 to 2026-10-18

Cook: Lean DDDHQ: 76% D

Cook rating 2026-10-13 · DDHQ forecast 2026-10-22. Win chance, not vote share.

n=1,185 / Not reported by source. RealClearPolling

Lead of 6 pts for Benson in a single poll. Not a win probability.

Ratings and forecast

Cook rating
Lean D
DDHQ rating
Likely D
DDHQ Dem win chance
76%
Currently held by
D

Cook source DDHQ source Forecast methodology

Candidates

  • Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
  • John JamesRepublican

Poll history (22)

PollsterField datesResultsSample / methodSource
Marist2026-10-15 to 2026-10-18Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 45%n=1,185 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
YouGov2026-09-28 to 2026-10-05Benson (Democrat) 48%James (Republican) 45%n=3,949 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Mitchell Research2026-10-01Benson (Democrat) 46%James (Republican) 39%n=682 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
FOX News2026-09-24 to 2026-09-28Benson (Democrat) 54%James (Republican) 45%n=1,028 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Marist2026-09-24 to 2026-09-27Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 41%n=1,235 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
co/efficient2026-09-21 to 2026-09-23Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 44%n=843 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
NY Times/Siena*2026-09-15 to 2026-09-22Benson (Democrat) 48%James (Republican) 43%n=605 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Cygnal/Beacon Research*2026-09-18 to 2026-09-21Benson (Democrat) 45%James (Republican) 38%n=600 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Suffolk University*2026-09-16 to 2026-09-20Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 34%n=500 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Emerson2026-09-12 to 2026-09-14Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 42%n=1,000 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Washington Post2026-09-10 to 2026-09-14Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 41%n=803 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
CNN2026-08-31 to 2026-09-06Benson (Democrat) 50%James (Republican) 41%n=843 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Detroit News/Glengariff2026-08-31 to 2026-09-03Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 43%n=600 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
EPIC-MRA2026-08-22 to 2026-08-28Benson (Democrat) 45%James (Republican) 41%n=600 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Michigan State/YouGov2026-08-10 to 2026-08-20Benson (Democrat) 52%James (Republican) 43%n=779 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
Fabrizio/Anzalone2026-08-09 to 2026-08-11Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 44%n=877 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
FOX News2026-08-06 to 2026-08-10Benson (Democrat) 52%James (Republican) 47%n=1,006 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
TIPP**2026-08-06 to 2026-08-10Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 37%n=1,215 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
EPIC-MRA2026-07-24 to 2026-07-31Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 38%n=600 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
MIRS/Mitchell Research2026-07-28 to 2026-07-29Benson (Democrat) 46%James (Republican) 44%n=672 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
MIRS/Mitchell Research2026-06-11 to 2026-06-13Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 40%n=827 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release
TIPP**2026-05-20 to 2026-05-23Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 38%n=1,154 / Not reported by sourceRealClearPolling Original release

Polls via secondary aggregators, not independently audited. Not a live feed.

See this race in context on the tile map, colored by poll, DDHQ or Cook.

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