Democrat Jocelyn Benson leads Republican John James in the latest poll in Michigan's race for governor conducted by Marist University.
Benson, the sitting secretary of state from Detroit, has the support of 51% of likely voters while James, a Shelby Township congressman, garners 45%, a six-point edge for Benson, according to the survey of 1,185 registered voters in the battleground state, conducted Oct. 15-18. The poll was released Oct. 21.
The survey had a margin of error of +/- 4.3 percentage points. Voters were contacted by phone using live interviewers, text and online.
Polls capture the mood of the electorate during a snapshot in time. This one was carried out with absentee voting already underway. Michigan's early voting period will begin
statewide Saturday, Oct. 24, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The Marist poll also found that Benson is seen as the most likely to win, with 61% of likely voters, regardless of who they say they support, saying they think Benson will actually win the governor's race, compared to 35% for James.
Spokespeople for both campaigns did not immediately provide a comment on the poll.
Consistent with polling throughout the 2026 midterm election cycle, the survey found low approval numbers for President Donald Trump, who has endorsed James, with 53% of likely voters saying they strongly disapprove of the job the president is doing. James has repeatedly said that Trump is not to blame for the challenges facing Michigan as he argues a Republican should succeed Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again due to term limits.
Benson, meanwhile, has emphasized James' support for Trump's agenda in Washington, D.C.
Both candidates have put forward competing plans for tackling cost-of-living challenges, a key issue in the election. James, for instance, wants to phase out Michigan's income tax, repeal the state's clean energy law and opt into a federal education tax credit. Benson has said health care affordability is a centerpiece of her campaign and she has also called for financial relief for family caregivers, with a proposed tax credit and free pre-K for all three-year-olds.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Benson leads James in latest Michigan governor's race poll by Marist
