Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan Gains Traction in Gubernatorial Election

Strategic Insights -

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, an independent candidate running for governor in the 2026 election cycle, is gaining ground among voters in Michigan, according to a new poll. The internal poll of 600 likely voters shows Duggan with 26% support, closely trailing top candidates Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (30%) and U.S. Rep. John James (29%). Despite a relatively high margin of error (4%), Duggan's campaign manager claims the mayor is rapidly closing the gap and building a coalition of support from Democrats and Republicans alike.

Key Takeaways:

  • The internal poll conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research shows Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan with 26% support among 600 likely voters in Michigan, a margin of 4% away from top candidate Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (30%).
  • Duggan's campaign is gaining traction, with a statement from the campaign claiming he is "rapidly closing the gap on the top Republican and Democrat candidates statewide."
  • Duggan's job approval as mayor of Detroit is high, with 63% of Democrats and 47% of Republicans approving of his performance.
  • The poll also finds that Duggan has a higher net favorability rating compared to Benson, James, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, although all candidates have net positive ratings.
  • Benson's campaign manager claims internal polling shows the secretary of state with a significant lead over Duggan, with a 15-point margin between them.

Statistics:

  • 26% of voters support Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • 30% of voters support Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • 29% of voters support U.S. Rep. John James (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • 63% of Democrats approve of Mayor Duggan's performance (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • 47% of Republicans approve of Mayor Duggan's performance (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • Duggan has a higher net favorability rating than Benson, James, and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (Schoen Cooperman Research poll)
  • 15-point margin between Duggan and Benson or James in internal Benson campaign polling (Michigan Advance)

Sources:

  • Schoen Cooperman Research
  • "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan speaks to Lansing Economic Club" by Andrew Roth (Michigan Advance)
  • "Internal polling shows Michigan's Benson with mighty lead in democratic gubernatorial hunt" (Michigan Advance)
  • "Benson campaign polling shows Duggan much further behind" (Michigan Advance)