LANSING, Mich. — Democrat Jocelyn Benson still leads Republican John James in the race for Michigan governor, but the gap has tightened in the final stretch, according to a statewide survey released Thursday by Mitchell Research & Communications.
The firm found 49% of likely voters backing Benson and 44% supporting James. Its early October survey had Benson at 46% and James at 39%, so both candidates gained ground as undecided voters made up their minds, with James picking up a bit more.
The poll reached 636 likely voters on Oct. 26 and 27 through online panels and text links sent to randomly chosen registered voters, and the results were weighted using demographics and turnout patterns from 2022 and 2024. The margin of error is 3.9 percentage points, so the lead sits just outside it.
Benson draws her strongest support from women, younger voters and Black voters, the pollster said, while James stays competitive with men and older voters.
Many people had already voted by the time the survey was taken. Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they had cast a ballot early or by absentee, up from 11% in the early October poll.
The seat is open because Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is term-limited. Benson is Michigan’s secretary of state, and James represents the 10th Congressional District. Donna Brandenburg of the U.S. Taxpayers Party and Douglas Campbell of the Green Party are also on the ballot, along with Anthony Hudson, who is listed as a Libertarian even though the party has disavowed him. Other recent polls of the race have shown Benson at a slightly higher share. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
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