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MIDTERMS 2026 - GOVERNOR

Michigan

LEAN D D-held, open seat

CALLED: Democrat wins

Jocelyn Benson

DEMOCRAT

Jocelyn Benson

Newzino coverage of Benson

Michigan Secretary of State since 2019 and former dean of Wayne State University Law School. source

John James

REPUBLICAN

John James

U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th District and a former Army aviation officer. source

Where they differ

Only issues they disagree on. Each position is something the candidate said, voted for or published, linked to where.

Data centers

BENSON

Calls for a statewide moratorium on new data centers until guardrails are in place. source

JAMES

Calls his moratorium local led and would change state law so communities can reject data centers. source

Income tax

BENSON

Has not proposed a specific tax increase; says she would review how the state raises revenue and close loopholes, and has pledged not to raise taxes on the middle class. source

JAMES

Says he has a plan to cut the personal income tax into the threes (it is 4.25% now). source

2023 clean energy law

BENSON

Wants the 2023 clean energy law implemented well, and would end profit-driven utility rate hikes. source

JAMES

Opposes the 2023 clean energy law and would make repealing it his first priority. source

School funding and choice

BENSON

Wants a weighted school funding formula, a $60,000 minimum starting teacher salary and expanded pre-K. source

JAMES

Would opt Michigan into the federal tax-credit scholarship program and reinstate third-grade reading retention. source

Latest polling

Marist (Oct 15-18, 2026, likely voters, +/-4.3): Jocelyn Benson 51%, a 6-point lead over John James. source

Michigan right now

How the state is doing going into the vote, from the people who count it.

JOBLESS RATE

5.0%

US: 4.2%

September 2026, seasonally adjusted, preliminary. Source: BLS

GAS, REGULAR

$4.77

US: $4.27

State average on 2026-10-27. Source: AAA

LAYOFF NOTICES (WARN), LAST 90 DAYS

4 notices covering 963 workers in Detroit, Grand Rapids.

Only the cities Newzino covers, from the state's own WARN filings. Not a statewide total.

From Newzino in Michigan

Think you know how Michigan goes? Call it on the map and see how many governorships each party ends up with.

Open the map

Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Jocelyn Benson by JFM Photo 73, CC BY 4.0; John James by United States Congress, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Positions checked 2026-10-23. Things they agree on are left out on purpose. Spot something wrong? Use the feedback button and we will fix it.