Second Attempt At Mackinac Island Debate Crashes

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 05/22/2026) A second attempt at a Mackinac Island Policy Conference gubernatorial debate was put down after the campaign for Democratic frontrunner Jocelyn Benson declined to participate after independent Mike Duggan dropped out of the race yesterday.

U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) took to social media with an invite to the debate on the island, “Received. Accepted.” He also posted a video issuing the challenge to debate.

Jocelyn Benson and I are both going to be on Mackinac Island next week and there is an opportunity for the leading candidate in each party to debate.

Benson for Governor Deputy Campaign Manager Alyssa Bradley said James had rejected a debate during the conference three weeks ago when it included Benson and Duggan.

“Now, suddenly, he’s trying to manufacture political theater to desperately help his flailing campaign. The reality is simple: John James is locked in a messy primary and struggling to connect with voters who have already rejected him twice,” Bradley said.

Bradley said Benson was waiting to see if James or Johnson came out on top.

Mitchell Research released polling commissioned by MIRS that showed Benson was leading James 42% to 30% in a hypothetical three-way election contest. Duggan received 14% in that match-up.