Poll: Benson Leads James by 12 Points

A Michigan State University poll found Democrat Jocelyn Benson leading Republican John James 53.3% to 40.9% in the governor’s race, while Democrat Abdul El-Sayed holds a narrower 48% to 45.5% edge over Republican Mike Rogers in the U.S. Senate contest. Compared with the university’s August survey, Benson’s lead has widened and El-Sayed’s has narrowed. A separate Detroit News/WDIV poll also showed Benson ahead, but by a smaller margin: 51.4% to 44.5%. MSU’s findings indicate Benson is doing better than El-Sayed among several groups, including independents and moderates, while El-Sayed leads her among voters under 30. The poll also found that 38% of voters say a Muslim candidate would make them less likely to offer support, a factor that may hurt El-Sayed, and that President Donald Trump’s unpopularity presents a headwind for Republicans.