Wednesday, October 21, 2026 Vol. I · No. 22 · Late Edition Print size
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The Wire
White House pulls reporter from press pool after Trump clash; WHCA alleges retaliation El-Sayed and Rogers trade sharp words in final Michigan Senate debate On tape: El-Sayed in the Senate debate: the SAVE Act would make women who changed their names dig up birth certificates to vote Ilhan Omar says agents took 17 items in raid, and threats will force her to move On tape: Asked to pledge no election interference, Kash Patel said he won't take part in a "charade of lies." Vance defends Ramaswamy ad using Amy Acton's estranged mother in Ohio race Democrats sue Trump and DOJ over pressure on state election officials before midterms On tape: Asked if hundreds of FBI agents in Georgia produced a single indictment, Kash Patel says: "Not if it was sealed." On tape: Schiff asks Kash Patel point blank: were Trump-case agents purged from the FBI? Trump's women's health order creates an NIH division but sets no dollar amount White House pulls reporter from press pool after Trump clash; WHCA alleges retaliation El-Sayed and Rogers trade sharp words in final Michigan Senate debate On tape: El-Sayed in the Senate debate: the SAVE Act would make women who changed their names dig up birth certificates to vote Ilhan Omar says agents took 17 items in raid, and threats will force her to move On tape: Asked to pledge no election interference, Kash Patel said he won't take part in a "charade of lies." Vance defends Ramaswamy ad using Amy Acton's estranged mother in Ohio race Democrats sue Trump and DOJ over pressure on state election officials before midterms On tape: Asked if hundreds of FBI agents in Georgia produced a single indictment, Kash Patel says: "Not if it was sealed." On tape: Schiff asks Kash Patel point blank: were Trump-case agents purged from the FBI? Trump's women's health order creates an NIH division but sets no dollar amount
Jocelyn Benson Governor — Michigan Lean D First run
MInominee

Governor — Michigan · First run

Jocelyn Benson

Michigan's two-term secretary of state, known nationally for defending the 2020 election results, won the August 4 primary with about 84% of the vote. She faces Rep. John James to succeed term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is also running as an independent.

On the ballot against John James (R)

Why it matters: Michigan's governor's seat is open this year, and Cook rates the race Lean Democrat.

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The race at a glance

Race ratingLean DCook Political Report, Oct 13 source
Polling average (6 polls) Benson 50% 42.3% James 8% undecided or other Benson +7.7 Jul 28Oct 9Most recent poll from each pollster, Sep 29 to Oct 9. Checked Today, 9:52 PM ET. Every poll
Money raised Benson$4,900,000 James$3,100,000 Pre-primary filings covering Jan. 1 to late July 2026; James had about $1.4 million cash on hand. No later report found. $6,400,000 cash on hand. source

Every poll in this race

PollsterDateSampleBensonJamesMargin
Z to A ResearchOct 9483 LV50%40%D +10
Guidant PollingOct 7800 LV50%45%D +5
YouGovOct 63,949 LV48%45%D +3
Fox NewsSep 301,028 LV · Margin of error ±3%54%45%D +9
Marist PollSep 301,235 RV · Margin of error ±3.8%53%41%D +12
CygnalSep 29600 LV · Margin of error ±4%45%38%D +7
Siena CollegeSep 25605 LV · Margin of error ±4.9%48%43%D +5
co/efficientSep 23843 LV · Margin of error ±3.4%47%44%D +3
Suffolk UniversitySep 22500 LV · Margin of error ±4.4%51%34%D +17
Wash. Post-Schar SchoolSep 17803 LV · Margin of error ±3.9%53%41%D +12
Emerson CollegeSep 171,000 LV · Margin of error ±3%49%42%D +7
CNN / SSRSSep 9843 LV · Margin of error ±4.1%50%41%D +9

LV = likely voters, RV = registered voters. Polls listed by 270toWin, which lists 23 polls in this race; the newest 12 are shown. Each pollster name links to its own release.

In Jocelyn's own words

If you like gas pushing $5 a gallon, or mortgage rates over 7%, or tariffs taxing just about everything we pay for, then John James is your guy,
Jocelyn Benson, Closing remarks at the first governor's debate in Grand Rapids, Oct 6 source
In just four short years in Congress, he's become a multi-millionaire, buying stocks in companies that he regulates,
Jocelyn Benson, At the second governor's debate, hosted by WDIV in Detroit, Oct 15 source

Where Jocelyn stands

Energy costs
End profit-driven utility rate hikes and refuse campaign money from energy companies and corporate PACs. source
Health care
Fix Michigan's health department so people can actually get care, and act as a last line of defense against federal Medicaid cuts. source
Housing
Lower housing costs and push back on corporate investors and out-of-state speculators buying up homes. source
Education
Says improving public education would be her top priority as governor. source
Gas prices
Said for the first time at the Oct. 6 debate that she would support suspending the state gas tax. source

The record

  • Michigan secretary of state since 2019
  • Former dean of Wayne State University Law School
  • Won the 2026 Democratic primary with about 84% of the vote
ConfidentialThe GOP File

The file on John James

  • U.S. Rep. John James voted for the 2025 tax-and-spending law that extended tax cuts and will curb future Medicaid spending, and voted against continuing Affordable Care Act premium subsidies. source
  • James has missed 5% of House roll-call votes since taking office, including 62 votes since announcing his run for governor in April 2025, according to GovTrack. source
  • At the Oct. 6 debate, James said he would be open to bringing back a policy of holding back third graders who fall behind in reading. source

Endorsed by

Gov. Gretchen WhitmerMichigan AFL-CIOMichigan Corn Growers AssociationAFT MichiganMichigan Professional Fire Fighters Union

Jocelyn Benson. Photo: JFM Photo 73, CC BY 4.0

Profile sources: 1, 2

Race data checked Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Quotes on this page were matched word for word against their sources.