The Detroit Regional Chamber, working in partnership with The Glengariff Group, Inc., recently completed a poll of 600 registered voters in Michigan to analyze their awareness and thoughts about upcoming races for both governor and the U.S. Senate.
The poll, conducted between May 5 and May 8, 2025, offers early insights into how the political landscape of Michigan is shaping as it gears up for two high-profile open-seat elections.
Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has shot forward as the leading Democratic candidate for governor, securing a total of 59.3 percent support among members of her own party and 65 percent among those Democrats who said they would definitely be casting a ballot in the gubernatorial election.
Benson’s name recognition, along with her favorability rating, bolstered her far above her Democrat competition, which includes Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
Taking a look at the conservative side of the aisle, Republican Rep. John James is head of the pack with 42 percent support from GOP voters and 44 percent among definite voters. Some of his competition includes former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt.
An interesting tidbit centers around Tudor Dixon, who was the 2022 GOP nominee for governor of the state, who has, as of this writing, not announced whether she’ll run, though she does have the highest name recognition among Republicans at 70 percent.
Another candidate who tossed his hat in the ring for governor is Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent. This addition creates a whole new dimension for the race, which is normally dominated by the traditional two parties.
In the state’s Senate race, the seat in question is up for grabs after Sen. Gary Peters decided not to seek re-election. Early on in the race, it appears that former GOP Congressman Mike Rogers has the upper hand against the Democratic field.
The results reveal that in a head-to-head showdown between U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and former Rep. Mike Rogers, Stevens holds a slim lead at 45 percent compared to Rogers’ 43 percent. Among definite voters, Stevens is currently leading by a significant margin of plus 6 points.
If Rogers were to take on State Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Rogers takes the lead with 45.9 percent to 41.6 percent. McMorrow has a slight edge with definite voters at plus 1.4.
When Rogers is pitted against former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed, Rogers’s lead increases to 46.9 percent versus 40.1 percent. With definite voters, Rogers is still in control with a plus 1.9 lead against El-Sayed.
The poll also took an opportunity to find out how voters were feeling about the state’s current economic trajectory. A total of 27.6 percent of respondents feel Michigan is on the right path economically. This is the lowest number recorded since November 2023.
