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Jocelyn Benson, John James and Mike Duggan
A statewide poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber shows a hypothetical three-way race in which Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson gets 34.5 percent support, Republican Congressman John James, 34 percent, and Independent Mayor Mike Duggan, 21.5 percent, the Detroit News reports.
The poll also showed Duggan drawing a similar amount of support from both Democrats and Republicans.
"I think if there's one thing we can dispel with this poll, it's the question of who Mike Duggan hurts," said Richard Czuba, founder of the Glengariff Group, which conducted the poll, according to the Detroit News. "He hurts both sides. He is drawing equally from Republicans, Democrats, and independents.
"You can't say he's hurting Jocelyn Benson or John James. He's drawing equally from both of them."
Some Democrats have been sharply critical of Duggan, a Democrat turned Independent, saying he'll siphon off Democratic votes and help Republicans win the seat. But the poll shows Democrats still have a chance to win, even with Duggan.
The general election is in November 2026. The other candidates include Democrats Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and Republicans former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and Michigan State Sen. Aric Nesbitt.
In a three way race between Gilchrist, James and Duggan, the poll shows Gilchrist with 29.3 percent support compared to James with 34.9 percent and Duggan with 24.8 percent.
In the Democratic race for U.S. Senate, the poll shows:
Haley Stevens: 34.3 percent
Abdul El-Sayed: 22.2 percent
Mallory McMorrow: 13.7 percent
Undecided: 29.8 percent
