John James gets 0% Black voter support in new Michigan governor poll

U.S. Rep. John James (R-MI), the presumed Republican frontrunner in Michigan’s gubernatorial race, garnered 0% from Black voters in a recent poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

The statewide poll conducted by Glengariff Group surveyed 600 registered voters in Michigan via telephone from Jan 27–Feb. 2. One of the questions asked voters who they would vote for if the election for governor were held today, given the choice between James, Democratic frontrunner and current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent.

While the survey suggests all three candidates would be in a tight race if it were held today, James notably received 0.0% support from the 81 Black voters surveyed, with Duggan garnering 59.3% and Benson 24.7%. In that hypothetical matchup, James is the only Black person and the only person of color of the three.

Although the poll should be viewed in the context of just 600 people surveyed across the state, James was also trailing the other candidates among women, independents, voters over 65 and voters age 30-39. Also, the poll’s respondents being 13.5% Black is close to what Michigan’s racial demographics are, with the U.S. Census estimating that 14.1% of Michiganders are Black.

The Detroit Regional Chamber previously endorsed Duggan in the race. James’ campaign did not respond to a request to comment about the poll.

Republicans spending against James

James has been a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, consistently voting for Trump’s agenda in Congress. Despite Trump campaigning alongside James to support his 2020 and 2022 congressional campaigns, Trump has so far refused to endorse his gubernatorial bid.

In January, state Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) told 6 News that James is “disappointing President Trump” by running for governor instead of staying in Congress. By running for governor, James is leaving Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, a tossup seat that James only won by 1,600 votes in 2022, open for a potential Democratic flip later this year.

Republican megadonors are also giving significant financial support for Duggan, a former Democrat who has positioned himself further to the right on the political spectrum during his gubernatorial run.

Oakland County businessman and former 2024 presidential candidate Perry Johnson joined the race as a Republican in January, saying that he plans to spend $9 million of his own money in his bid heading into the Aug. 4 primary election. Johnson released an attack ad against James last Thursday, calling him a “career politician.”

Incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) is ineligible to seek a third term due to term limits in Michigan.