Jocelyn Benson, 2026 Michigan Governor Democratic candidate
Jocelyn Benson
DEMOCRATIC
Michigan Secretary of State (D)
2019 – Present

2026 Michigan Governor Polls

John James, 2026 Michigan Governor Republican candidate
John James
REPUBLICAN
US House of Representatives (R-MI)
2023 – Present

2026 Michigan Governor Polling Average:

Aggregate of all polls released for Michigan's Governor election between Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James. This page will update the moment new polls are released, including the polling average, projected margin, and survey details.

Year
2026
Race
Governor
State
Michigan
Democratic candidate
Jocelyn Benson
Republican candidate
John James
Incumbent / open seat
Open Seat
Polling average
46.4% D / 40.7% R
Polling average margin
D +5.7
Last updated
12:00 AM on July 31, 2026
Polls included
19
Latest poll
EPIC-MRA — July 31, 2026

Michigan Governor Polling Trend

2026 Michigan governor Polling Average

Jocelyn Benson leads John James by 5.7% in the Pollsmax polling average for the 2026 Michigan governor election, 46.4% to 40.7%. The average currently aggregates results from 19 polls. According to the latest Michigan governor poll, conducted by EPIC-MRA on July 31, Benson leads James 47% to 38%.

Democrat

%

Weighted polling average

Republican

%

Weighted polling average

Net margin

Polling average difference

Polls Included

Number of polls conducted

Latest Michigan Governor Polls

Pollster
Date
Sample
Jocelyn Benson
John James
Margin
Polling Average
46.4%
40.7%
D +5.7
EPIC-MRA
July 31, 2026
600 LV
47%
38%
D +9.0
Mitchell Research & Communications
July 29, 2026
672 LV
46%
44%
D +2.0
Glengariff Group
July 24, 2026
600 LV
44%
39%
D +5.0
Mitchell Research & Communications
June 13, 2026
827 LV
51%
40%
D +11.0
TIPP Insights (R)
May 23, 2026
1,163 LV
49%
38%
D +11.0
Mitchell Research & Communications
May 7, 2026
607 LV
50%
35%
D +14.2
Glengariff Group
May 1, 2026
600 LV
46%
40%
D +6.8
Impact Research (D)
March 29, 2026
800 LV
51%
46%
D +5.0
Michigan State University / YouGov
March 24, 2026
1,000 A
41%
31%
D +9.6
Impact Research (D)
February 16, 2026
800 LV
49%
46%
D +3.8
Glengariff Group
February 2, 2026
600 RV
43%
43%
Even
Glengariff Group
January 6, 2026
600 LV
48%
49%
R +1.6
Mitchell Research & Communications
November 21, 2025
616 LV
39%
47%
R +7.6
EPIC-MRA
November 11, 2025
600 RV
43%
44%
R +1.2
Rosetta Stone Communications (R)
October 25, 2025
637 LV
42%
49%
R +6.2
Schoen Cooperman Research (D)
October 14, 2025
600 LV
43%
42%
D +1.4
Glengariff Group
May 8, 2025
600 RV
46%
45%
D +1.4
Mitchell Research & Communications
March 13, 2025
688 LV
45%
42%
D +3.6
Target Insyght
February 8, 2025
600 V
54%
39%
D +15.4

About the Pollsmax Polling Average

Pollsmax creates a time-weighted and partisanship-adjusted polling average from an aggregate of all polls conducted for the general election. See the polling methodology to learn more about how polls are standardized and weighted.