‘DA GOVERNOR
- Downtown Newsmagazine
- May 27
- 2 min read
According to a new poll by Target Insyght of Lansing, if the 2026 governor’s race were held today, it wouldn’t be much of a race, with 48 percent preferring independent candidate Mike Duggan, current mayor of Detroit, over Democrat Jocelyn Benson, 32 percent, and Republican John James, 3 percent. James, current two-term congressman for Rochester, Rochester Hills and Macomb County, saw a significant decline from Target Insyght’s February poll, which had him at 10 percent. This despite James receiving a massive financial windfall – a $5 million campaign contribution from Dan and Pamella DeVos of Grand Rapids to James’ campaign PAC. Financially, that sets James ahead of the Republican pack, which currently includes Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, former state attorney general Mike Cox and Anthony Hudson, a one-time U.S. House candidate. Benson has Democrat competition from Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee Sheriff Chris Swanson. More candidates are expected – including Bloomfield Hills businessman and 2022 failed gubernatorial candidates Perry Johnson, who is rumored to be coming in with $30 million of his own money, Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke. “The MAGAs don’t like James – they think he’s too liberal. He’s a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus (in Congress),” said a top Republican politico. “(Vice President) JD Vance told James not to run for governor because they didn’t want to risk the seat, and he did it anyway. He’s a professional campaigner and doesn’t want to do the job.” The same politico believes President Trump will stay out of the endorsement game for James this go-round. Duggan, however, is sweeping them up, receiving endorsements from more than 150 faith leaders and 24 unions. “Duggan definitely has appeal in lots of circles, and he brings a lot of executive experience,” said a Democrat leader of the former Democrat, believing that Duggan will potentially take more votes from Democrats, “because about 70 percent of people will vote straight party.”
