← 2026 governors map · Lean D
Michigan governor polls
Benson (D) vs. James (R)
Jocelyn Benson leads the 2026 Michigan governor race by 7.4 points in PolitiKool's polling average, as of Oct. 11, 2026.
- Benson 49.8%, James 42.4%.
- 17 polls from 17 pollsters, weighted by recency, sample size, pollster record and partisan sponsorship.
- The margin is little changed over the past month.
- Rated Lean D, combining the average with the Cook Political Report, Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections.
- The seat is held by Gretchen Whitmer (D).
Michigan governor polling average
Jocelyn Benson49.8%
John James42.4%
MarginBenson +7.4
Average as of Oct. 11, 2026 · — Jocelyn Benson · — John James
Latest Michigan governor polls
| Dates | Pollster | Sample | Benson | James | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 20 – Oct. 27 | Guidant Polling and Strategy / Public First Action | 800 LV | 50% | 45% | Benson +5 |
| Oct. 8–9 | Wedgewood Polls | 607 LV | 55% | 45% | Benson +10 |
| Sept. 22 – Oct. 4 | YouGov | 3,949 LV | 48% | 45% | Benson +3 |
| Sept. 28 – Oct. 1 | Z to A Research / Rust Belt Rising | 483 LV | 50% | 40% | Benson +10 |
| Oct. 1–1 | Mitchell Research & Communications | 682 LV | 46% | 39% | Benson +7 |
| Sept. 24–28 | Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research / Fox News | 1,028 LV | 54% | 45% | Benson +9 |
| Sept. 24–27 | Marist University | 1,235 RV | 53% | 41% | Benson +12 |
| Sept. 20–27 | Guidant Polling & Strategy | 800 LV | 50% | 45% | Benson +5 |
| Sept. 21–23 | co/efficient (partisan) | 843 LV | 47% | 44% | Benson +3 |
| Sept. 15–22 | The New York Times/Siena University | 605 LV | 48% | 43% | Benson +5 |
| Sept. 18–21 | Cygnal/Beacon Research / Michigan Enjoyer | 600 LV | 45% | 38% | Benson +7 |
| Sept. 16–20 | Suffolk University | 500 LV | 51% | 34% | Benson +17 |
| Sept. 15–19 | Torchlight Strategies (partisan) | 643 LV | 42% | 41% | Benson +1 |
| Sept. 10–14 | The Washington Post/George Mason University School of Policy and Government | 803 LV | 53% | 41% | Benson +12 |
| Sept. 12–14 | Emerson College / Nexstar Media | 1,000 LV | 49% | 42% | Benson +7 |
| Aug. 31 – Sept. 6 | SSRS | 843 LV | 50% | 41% | Benson +9 |
| Aug. 31 – Sept. 3 | Glengariff Group | 600 LV | 47% | 43% | Benson +4 |
| Aug. 22–28 | EPIC-MRA | 600 LV | 45% | 41% | Benson +4 |
| Aug. 10–20 | Michigan State University Institute for Public Policy and Social Research/YouGov | 779 LV | 52% | 43% | Benson +9 |
| Aug. 9–11 | Fabrizio, Lee & Associates/Impact Research / AARP | 877 LV | 49% | 44% | Benson +5 |
| Aug. 6–10 | Beacon Research/Shaw & Co. Research / Fox News | 1,006 RV | 52% | 47% | Benson +5 |
| Aug. 6–10 | TIPP Insights (partisan) | 1,528 RV | 48% | 34% | Benson +14 |
| July 24–31 | EPIC-MRA / MIRS | 600 LV | 47% | 38% | Benson +9 |
| July 28–29 | Mitchell Research & Communications | 672 LV | 46% | 44% | Benson +2 |
| July 22–24 | Glengariff Group, Inc. / Michigan Education Association, Business Leaders for Michigan | 600 LV | 44% | 39% | Benson +5 |
| June 11–13 | Mitchell Research & Communications | 827 LV | 51% | 40% | Benson +11 |
| May 20–23 | TIPP Insights / League of American Workers | 1,163 LV | 49% | 38% | Benson +11 |
| Jan. 27 – Feb. 2 | Glengariff Group | — LV | 45% | 41% | Benson +4 |
| Jan. 2–6 | Glengariff Group | 600 LV | 47% | 45% | Benson +2 |