Crain’s Detroit Business
February 23, 2026
David Eggert
Independent Mike Duggan continues to climb in the Michigan governor’s race and is even in a hypothetical matchup with Democratic frontrunner Jocelyn Benson and potential Republican nominee John James, according to a new poll.
The survey, which was released Monday by the Detroit Regional Chamber, a Duggan backer, has Benson at 30.9% among definite voters, Duggan at 30.3% and James at 29.5%. The contest is effectively tied, a big boon to the former Detroit mayor.
Chamber president and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah called Duggan’s rise “striking” and pointed to another Glengariff poll, which was done for the News and WDIV, indicating that voters have a positive view of him.
“We think these things bode well for him,” he said. “But you know, frankly, it’s still early.”