Benson Leads Michigan Governor Race
Democrats hold early leads in Michigan's governor, secretary of state, and attorney general races in partial results reported overnight.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrat Jocelyn Benson holds 53.7% of the vote in Michigan's governor race against Republican John James, according to partial results as of 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 4. Democrats also lead in the secretary of state and attorney general contests, though all results remain unofficial until certified.
Why it matters
The early returns give Democrats leads across three statewide offices, shaping the expected composition of Michigan's top executive and law enforcement posts. Official outcomes depend on certification by the Board of Canvassers, which has not yet occurred.
Partial results show Benson and Brinks at 53.7% and James and DeBoyer at 44.5% in the governor and lieutenant governor race. All figures are unofficial until the Board of Canvassers certifies the results.
The players
Jocelyn Benson
Benson is a Democrat who served as Michigan's Secretary of State before running for governor, and she leads the partial governor count.
John James
James is a Republican and former U.S. House member who ran for Michigan governor and trails in the partial count.
The details
Partial results reported by the Associated Press and local counts in Wexford, Missaukee, Osceola, and Lake counties show Democrats ahead in the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general contests. Democrat Garlin Gilchrist II had 1,905,599 votes in partial state results for secretary of state, while Democrat Eli Savit had 1,874,965 votes for attorney general.
Timeline
November 4, 2026, 1:30 a.m. ET: Partial statewide results favored Democrats in the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general races.
Pending: Board of Canvassers certification of official results.
Political Context
Michigan Democrats have held the governor's office since Gretchen Whitmer's 2018 win, and the current partial results extend that party's statewide competitiveness. Opposition to the Democratic slate has centered on Republican candidates' arguments that have been reported in the race but are not detailed in the extraction.
Michiganders will see final officeholders determined by certified results, affecting state executive and law enforcement leadership. Until certification, the partial returns indicate Democratic leads but do not yet settle the outcome.
The takeaway
Early returns can shift as more ballots are counted, so readers should wait for certified totals before drawing firm conclusions about final results.
What happens next
The Board of Canvassers will certify official results, which will confirm or revise the partial statewide totals.
Further reading
Track the latest in Michigan Elections as official canvass results come in.
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