Michigan governor's race 2026
Our 21-day average puts John James at 43.9%, Jocelyn Benson at 51.4%, Aric Nesbitt at 4.3%, Mike Cox at 16.9%, based on 79 polls ending between 1/19/2025 and 10/27/2026. Dots on the chart are individual polls; the line is the rolling average. How to read these numbers.
Michigan governor's race 2026 over time
79 polls · 21-day rolling average · dots are individual polls
John James 43.9%
Jocelyn Benson 51.4%
Aric Nesbitt 4.3%
Mike Cox 16.9%
View data as table
| Choice | Latest average | Polls | Latest poll |
|---|---|---|---|
| John James | 43.9% | 63 | 10/27/2026 |
| Jocelyn Benson | 51.4% | 55 | 10/27/2026 |
| Aric Nesbitt | 4.3% | 23 | 7/27/2026 |
| Mike Cox | 16.9% | 23 | 7/27/2026 |
Average result
Unweighted mean across 79 matching polls
View data as table
| Choice | % |
|---|---|
| John James | 38.1% |
| Jocelyn Benson | 46.9% |
| Mike Cox | 12.4% |
| Aric Nesbitt | 7.9% |
| Perry Johnson | 21.4% |
| Mike Duggan | 21.9% |
| Tom Leonard | 4.3% |
| Chris Swanson | 7% |
Individual polls (79)
| End date | Pollster | Sample | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/27/2026 |
Guidant Polling and Strategy
for Public First Action |
800 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 10/22/2026 |
Glengariff Group, Inc.
for The Detroit News, WDIV-TV |
600 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 10/19/2026 | Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research/YouGov | 836 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 10/18/2026 | Marist University | — LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 10/4/2026 | YouGov | 3,949 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 10/1/2026 | Mitchell Research & Communications | 682 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
Douglas Campbell (G)
Anthony Hudson (L)
Donna Brandenburg (O)
|
| 10/1/2026 |
Z to A Research
for Rust Belt Rising |
483 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
Anthony Hudson (L)
Douglas Campbell (G)
|
| 9/28/2026 |
Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research
for Fox News |
1,028 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/27/2026 |
Guidant Polling and Strategy
for Public First Action |
800 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/27/2026 | Marist University | 1,235 RV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/23/2026 | co/efficient | 843 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/22/2026 | The New York Times/Siena University | 605 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/21/2026 |
Cygnal/Beacon Research
for Michigan Enjoyer |
600 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
Anthony Hudson (L)
Donna Brandenburg (O)
Douglas Campbell (G)
|
| 9/20/2026 | Suffolk University | 500 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
Anthony Hudson (L)
Donna Brandenburg (O)
Douglas Campbell (G)
|
| 9/14/2026 |
Emerson College
for Nexstar Media |
1,000 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
Anthony Hudson (L)
Donna Brandenburg (O)
Douglas Campbell (G)
|
| 9/14/2026 | The Washington Post/George Mason University School of Policy and Government | 803 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/6/2026 | CNN/SSRS | 843 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 9/3/2026 |
Glengariff Group, Inc.
for Detroit News | WDIV-TV |
600 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/28/2026 | EPIC-MRA | 600 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/20/2026 | Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research/YouGov | 779 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/20/2026 | Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research/YouGov | 913 RV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/11/2026 |
Fabrizio, Lee & Associates/Impact Research
for AARP |
877 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/10/2026 |
Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research
for Fox News |
1,006 RV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 8/10/2026 |
TIPP Insights
for League of American Workers |
1,215 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|
| 7/31/2026 |
EPIC-MRA
for MIRS |
600 LV |
Jocelyn Benson (D)
John James (R)
|