D

Michigan Governor Race 2026

Latest sourced poll, full poll history, Cook and DDHQ ratings, and candidates. Research snapshot checked 2026-11-02.

Latest poll

Jocelyn Benson (Democrat)52%
John James (Republican)39%

The New York Times / Siena College, fielded 2026-10-23 to 2026-11-01

Cook: Lean DDDHQ: 80% D

Cook rating 2026-10-29 · DDHQ forecast 2026-11-02. Win chance, not vote share.

n=1,011 / LV; sponsor: The New York Times; released 2026-11-01; MOE ±3.8; field dates per aggregator listings.. sri.siena.edu

Lead of 13 pts for Jocelyn Benson in a single poll. Not a win probability.

Ratings and forecast

Cook rating
Lean D
DDHQ rating
Likely D
DDHQ Dem win chance
80%
Currently held by
D

Cook source DDHQ source Forecast methodology

Candidates

  • Jocelyn BensonDemocrat
  • John JamesRepublican

Poll history (32)

PollsterField datesResultsSample / methodSource
The New York Times / Siena College2026-10-23 to 2026-11-01Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 52%John James (Republican) 39%n=1,011 / LV; sponsor: The New York Times; released 2026-11-01; MOE ±3.8; field dates per aggregator listings.sri.siena.edu Original release
Research Co.2026-10-30 to 2026-11-01Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 41%n=450 / LV; primary release not located; aggregator listingpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Rasmussen (R)2026-10-28 to 2026-10-29Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 50%John James (Republican) 40%n=745 / LV; Rasmussen (R); sponsor not suppliedpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Mitchell Research/CBS Detroit2026-10-26 to 2026-10-27Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 49%John James (Republican) 44%n=636 / LVpollcheck.co.uk Original release
CNN/SSRS2026-10-20 to 2026-10-27Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 53%John James (Republican) 41%n=768 / LVpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Data for Progress (D)2026-10-23 to 2026-10-25Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 52%John James (Republican) 43%n=622 / LV; Data for Progress (D); sponsor not suppliedpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Michigan State University/Verasight2026-10-08 to 2026-10-23Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 51%John James (Republican) 42%n=1,383 / LVpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Glengariff Group/Detroit News/WDIV2026-10-19 to 2026-10-22Jocelyn Benson (Democrat) 51%John James (Republican) 45%n=600 / LVpollcheck.co.uk Original release
Marist2026-10-15 to 2026-10-18Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 45%n=1,185 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
YouGov2026-09-28 to 2026-10-05Benson (Democrat) 48%James (Republican) 45%n=3,949 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Mitchell Research2026-10-01Benson (Democrat) 46%James (Republican) 39%n=682 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
FOX News2026-09-24 to 2026-09-28Benson (Democrat) 54%James (Republican) 45%n=1,028 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Marist2026-09-24 to 2026-09-27Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 41%n=1,235 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
co/efficient2026-09-21 to 2026-09-23Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 44%n=843 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
NY Times/Siena*2026-09-15 to 2026-09-22Benson (Democrat) 48%James (Republican) 43%n=605 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Cygnal/Beacon Research*2026-09-18 to 2026-09-21Benson (Democrat) 45%James (Republican) 38%n=600 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Suffolk University*2026-09-16 to 2026-09-20Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 34%n=500 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Emerson2026-09-12 to 2026-09-14Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 42%n=1,000 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Washington Post2026-09-10 to 2026-09-14Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 41%n=803 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
CNN2026-08-31 to 2026-09-06Benson (Democrat) 50%James (Republican) 41%n=843 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Detroit News/Glengariff2026-08-31 to 2026-09-03Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 43%n=600 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
EPIC-MRA2026-08-22 to 2026-08-28Benson (Democrat) 45%James (Republican) 41%n=600 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Michigan State/YouGov2026-08-10 to 2026-08-20Benson (Democrat) 52%James (Republican) 43%n=779 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
Fabrizio/Anzalone2026-08-09 to 2026-08-11Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 44%n=877 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
FOX News2026-08-06 to 2026-08-10Benson (Democrat) 52%James (Republican) 47%n=1,006 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
TIPP**2026-08-06 to 2026-08-10Benson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 37%n=1,215 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
EPIC-MRA2026-07-24 to 2026-07-31Benson (Democrat) 47%James (Republican) 38%n=600 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
MIRS/Mitchell Research2026-07-28 to 2026-07-29Benson (Democrat) 46%James (Republican) 44%n=672 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
MIRS/Mitchell Research2026-06-11 to 2026-06-13Benson (Democrat) 51%James (Republican) 40%n=827 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
TIPP**2026-05-20 to 2026-05-23Benson (Democrat) 49%James (Republican) 38%n=1,154 / Not reported by sourcerealclearpolling.com Original release
AtlasIntelField dates not suppliedBenson (Democrat) 53%James (Republican) 45%n unknown / LV; primary release not located; aggregator listing; Listed Nov 2; field dates not statedrealclearpolling.com Original release
Emerson/Poll VaultField dates not suppliedBenson (Democrat) 50%James (Republican) 46%n unknown / LV; primary release not located; aggregator listing; Listed Nov 2; Poll Vault release paywalled; field dates not statedrealclearpolling.com 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.

Open the polling map All races
D
Elect Democrats

An independent site dedicated to tracking 2026 midterm races and supporting Democratic candidates who fight for working families, protect fundamental rights, and strengthen our democracy.

This site is not affiliated with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), or any candidate or candidate's committee. It is independently operated. Donation links lead to ActBlue, a third-party fundraising platform.

Connect

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Not affiliated with the DNC, DCCC, or DSCC.

© 2026 Elect Democrats. All rights reserved.