James Up 18 Points In Primary; Stevens Does Better In Detroit Chamber Poll

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 04/28/2026) A new survey of likely Republican primary voters shows U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) holding an 18-point lead in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial race, while also highlighting deep engagement among the party’s base and strong alignment with President Donald Trump.

The Glengariff Group poll, conducted April 21-24 among 500 likely Republican primary voters for the Detroit Regional Chamber, found James leading the field with 37%, followed by businessman Perry Johnson at 19.8%. Former Attorney General Mike Cox posted 9.9%, while Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) drew 6.9%. Just under 18% of voters remain undecided.

Even with the double-digit lead, the race is far from settled. James’ advantage shrinks among key blocs, including self-identified “MAGA” (Make America Great Again) Republicans, where he leads Johnson by 11 points. Among voters age 65 and older — a critical primary voting group — his lead is 12 points.

The poll also shows Republican voters are highly motivated heading into the August primary, scoring their likelihood to vote at 9.4 out of 10. Self-identified MAGA voters report slightly higher enthusiasm than “classic” Republicans, suggesting turnout dynamics could favor candidates who appeal strongly to the party’s pro-Trump wing.

Trump himself remains overwhelmingly popular among GOP primary voters. The survey found 85.9% view him favorably, including unanimous support among MAGA Republicans. However, that support softens among younger voters, with nearly a quarter of those under 40 holding an unfavorable view.

Still, a Trump endorsement could carry weight in the primary — but not universally. About 41.8% of voters said they would be more likely to support a candidate backed by Trump, while nearly half said it would make no difference. Among MAGA voters, the endorsement is far more influential, with nearly two-thirds saying it would make them more likely to support a candidate.

Beyond candidate preference, the poll underscores a Republican electorate focused heavily on economic concerns. Roughly a quarter of respondents cited inflation or the broader economy as the top issue facing Michigan, far outpacing other concerns. Another 16.8% said the most important issue was removing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and returning Republicans to power.

The survey also reveals underlying dissatisfaction within the party. A majority — 54.5% — said the nation’s two-party system is not working, and voters were nearly split on whether today’s Republican Party reflects the same values it held two decades ago.

In terms of candidate positioning, James not only leads in ballot support but also posts the strongest name recognition and favorability ratings in the field. Nearly 90% of voters recognize him, with a 55.4% favorable rating. Johnson, while trailing, shows room to grow, with roughly a quarter of voters still unfamiliar with him.

Benson Up Big, Different Results In U.S. Senate Race

Glengariff's poll among likely Democratic voters shows Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson with a commanding early lead in the 2026 gubernatorial race, while the party’s U.S. Senate primary remains wide open with a large share of undecided voters.

The April 17-19 survey among 500 likely Democratic primary voters found Benson leading Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson by a 66%-8.1% margin. Nearly 23% of voters said they are still undecided.

Benson’s advantage is driven in part by a significant edge in name recognition. About 85.6% of voters said they are familiar with her, compared to just 36.4% for Swanson, who remains largely unknown to primary voters at this stage.

While the gubernatorial contest appears lopsided, the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate is far more competitive. After recent polling showed Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) up and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) down, the Glengariff poll shows Stevens up with a narrow lead with 24.9%, followed closely by former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed at 22.9%, while McMorrow is at 16% with 36% of voters undecided.

The data suggests each candidate has a distinct coalition. Stevens performs strongest in Metro Detroit, among Black voters and older voters, while El-Sayed draws support from younger, college-educated voters and self-identified Democratic Socialists. McMorrow appears to pull more evenly across demographic groups, particularly among voters aged 40 to 64.

Despite the unsettled Senate race, Democratic voters appear highly engaged heading into the August primary. Respondents rated their likelihood of voting at 9.3 out of 10, with older voters showing the highest enthusiasm.

The poll also underscores strong support for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who posted a 93.1% favorable rating among Democratic primary voters. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) also received high marks, with 70% viewing her favorably.

Economic concerns dominate the electorate’s priorities. More than a third of respondents — 38.4% — cited inflation or the broader economy as the most important issue facing Michigan, far ahead of other concerns like health care, infrastructure or education.

At the same time, the survey reveals broader dissatisfaction with the political system. Nearly two-thirds of Democratic primary voters, 62.6%, said the two-party system does not work for America. A majority also said the Democratic Party does not hold the same values it did 20 years ago.

Looking ahead to 2028, Whitmer leads a hypothetical Democratic presidential primary field with 20.9%, followed by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at 17% and California Gov. Gavin Newsom at 15.2%.

Overall, the poll paints a picture of a Democratic electorate that is highly motivated, strongly aligned behind its current leadership, but still sorting through a competitive and unsettled Senate primary contest that could evolve significantly in the months ahead.