October 21, 2026
Midterm Elections in Michigan, October 2026
Two Points Separate El-Sayed and Rogers in Michigan Senate Race... Benson Up by 6 in Governor's Contest
In the race for U.S. Senate in Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are competitive with only two points separating the two candidates among likely voters statewide. Among registered voters in Michigan, El-Sayed is up by seven points against Rogers, maintaining the lead he held in September. Looking to the governor’s race in Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson has a six-point lead, among likely voters, against Republican John James. Benson’s lead widens to 11 points among registered voters, in line with her 12-point lead in September. The Democrats have a six-point advantage against the Republicans on the generic congressional ballot question among Michigan likely voters. That leads opens up to 10 points among registered voters, little changed from the nine-point lead the Democrats had in September. President Donald Trump’s approval rating is upside down in Michigan, and a plurality of likely voters express worry about their personal finances.
- In the U.S. Senate race in Michigan, El-Sayed (50%) and Rogers (48%) are competitive among likely voters in the state. El-Sayed (50%) has a six-point lead against Rogers (44%) among independents who are likely to vote. A majority of Michigan likely voters (51%) also think El-Sayed will be victorious in his U.S. Senate bid.
- The Democrats running for Congress (52%) are +6 points against the Republicans (46%) on the ballot among Michigan likely voters. A majority of independents (54%) report they are supporting the Democrat on the ballot. Likely voters statewide (52%) also think the Democrat on the ballot will actually win the election, not the Republican (44%).
- A plurality of likely voters (44%) say their congressional vote is mainly a vote against President Trump. 18% report their ballot is mainly a vote for the president, and 37% say their congressional vote is not impacted much by President Trump. Among those who say the president is having little influence on their congressional ballot, a majority say they approve of the job President Trump is doing.
- Benson (51%) has a 6-point advantage against James, among Michigan likely voters, in the state's governor's contest. Benson has a similar seven-point lead among independents. More than six in ten likely voters statewide (61%) also think Benson will actually win the election.
- President Trump's job approval rating among Michigan likely voters is 42%. 57% of likely voters statewide disapprove of how the president is doing his job.
- 43% of likely voters say their personal family finances have gotten worse during the last year. 40% report they have stayed about the same, and 16% think they have gotten better. Democrats (61%) are more likely than Republicans (23%) to report a worsening in their financial picture.
Methodology
This Marist Poll Michigan survey of 1,185 Michigan registered voters was conducted October 15th through October 18th, 2026 by the Marist Poll. Registered voters 18 years of age and older residing in Michigan were contacted through a multi-mode design: By phone using live interviewers, by text, or online. Results for registered voters are statistically significant within ±4.0 percentage points. Results for likely voters are statistically significant within ±4.3 percentage points.