Primary
Democratic Primary
Held August 4, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jocelyn Benson ✓ | 1,247,174 | 83.2% | |
| Christopher Robert Swanson | 251,762 | 16.8% |
Republican Primary
Held August 4, 2026.
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| John James ✓ | 466,232 | 58.7% | |
| Perry Johnson | 327,910 | 41.3% |
Full calendar and every race: Michigan primary guide
Race Overview
General Election Polling Trend
Showing the published average. The rating above uses this figure.
The right edge is that same average of the last three polls. This is an average, not a forecast.
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Candidates
Jocelyn Benson Nominee
DemocratJohn James Nominee
RepublicanGeneral Election Polling Average
Average is the unweighted mean of the last three scientific public polls. Fewer than three uses the polls that exist. The rating uses that average when the newest poll ended in the last 30 days. The table lists the polls in that average, plus the most recent 30 days or the newest 3 polls, whichever is more — subscribe for the full history. How accurate is each pollster? →
| Pollster | Date | Sample | MoE | Dem | Rep |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wedgewood Polls | 2026-10-09 | 607 LV | ±4.00 | Jocelyn Benson 55.00% | John James 45.00% |
| YouGov | 2026-10-04 | 3949 LV | ±2.50 | Jocelyn Benson 48.00% | John James 45.00% |
| Mitchell Research & Communications | 2026-10-01 | 682 LV | ±3.80 | Jocelyn Benson 46.00% | John James 39.00% |
| Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research | 2026-09-28 | 1028 LV | Jocelyn Benson 54.00% | John James 45.00% | |
| Guidant Polling & Strategy partisan·R | 2026-09-27 | 800 LV | ±3.50 | Jocelyn Benson 50.00% | John James 45.00% |
| Marist University | 2026-09-27 | 1235 RV | ±3.80 | Jocelyn Benson 53.00% | John James 41.00% |
| co/efficient (R) partisan·R | 2026-09-23 | 843 LV | ±3.36 | Jocelyn Benson 47.00% | John James 44.00% |
| The New York Times/Siena University 2024 err 3.1 | 2026-09-22 | 605 LV | Jocelyn Benson 48.00% | John James 43.00% | |
| Beacon Research (D)/ Cygnal (R) D-sponsored | 2026-09-21 | 600 LV | ±4.00 | Jocelyn Benson 45.00% | John James 38.00% |
| Suffolk University | 2026-09-20 | 500 LV | ±4.40 | Jocelyn Benson 51.00% | John James 34.00% |
| Torchlight Strategies (R) partisan·R R-sponsored | 2026-09-19 | 643 LV | ±4.70 | Jocelyn Benson 42.00% | John James 41.00% |
Questions About This Race
Who is winning the 2026 Michigan governor's race?
Jocelyn Benson leads John James 49.7% to 43% in the PollingSource polling average — a D+6.7 margin based on 3 polls, the last three or fewer.
Is the 2026 Michigan governor's race competitive?
It is not considered a top-tier battleground: the PollingSource polling average rates it Likely D, the current rating band. An upset is not impossible.
What does the latest poll of the 2026 Michigan governor's race say?
The most recent public poll, from Wedgewood Polls (completed October 9, 2026), found Jocelyn Benson (D) at 55% and John James (R) at 45%.
When is the 2026 Michigan governor's race decided?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
How is the PollingSource average calculated?
The PollingSource average is the unweighted mean of the last three scientific public polls, or fewer when fewer exist. One poll sets the rating when it ended in the last 30 days. We do not exclude pollsters. The table lists recent polls, including ones older than those three. Full details: pollingsource.com/methodology.
Race Notes
Term-limited, open seat
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