WDIV/Detroit News poll: Trump driving Michigan voter motivations

President Trump discusses a new trade agreement with Canada and Mexico on Oct. 1, 2018. (WDIV)

DETROIT – Michigan voters are making decisions ahead of the November election based on how they view President Donald Trump.

That's according to a new WDIV/Detroit News poll. First, voters were asked if they have a favorable or unfavorable impression of Trump:

Recommended Videos



  • 36.0 percent view President Trump favorably
  • 55.7 percent view President Trump unfavorably

Here's how Trump is driving Michigan voters' motivation, according to the poll: 

Generic Michigan Ballot

  • Trump favorables go 78.7 percent to 5.6 percent for the Republican candidate
  • Trump unfavorables go 78.4 percent to 5.7 percent for the Democratic candidate
  • Those who are undecided view Trump unfavorably by a margin of 28.7 percent to 49.5 percent

Michigan Senate Race

  • Trump favorables go 76.4 percent to 10.2 percent for John James
  • Trump unfavorables go 83.5 percent to 6.4 percent for Debbie Stabenow
  • Those who are undecided view Trump favorably by a margin of 47.5 percent-37.3 percent

Michigan Governor Race

  • Trump favorables go 77.7 percent to 5.6 percent for Bill Schuette
  • Trump unfavorables go 77.3 percent-7.8 percent for Gretchen Whitmer
  • Those who are undecided view Trump unfavorably by a narrow margin of 36.8 percent-39.5 percent            

Michigan Attorney General

  • Trump favorables go 65.7 percent to 4.2 percent for Tom Leonard
  • Trump unfavorables  go 64.4 percent to 8.4 percent for Dana Nessel
  • Those who are undecided view Trump unfavorably by a large margin of 37.1 percent to 52.4 percent

Secretary of State

  • Trump favorables go 62.5 percent to 5.1 percent for Mary Trader Lang
  • Trump unfavorables go 68.3 percent to 6.6 percent for Jocelyn Benson
  • Those who are undecided view Trump unfavorably by a large margin of 38.8 percent to 47.5 percent

For more coverage of the 2018 Michigan General Election, go here


Poll methodology: 

The Glengariff Group, Inc. conducted a Michigan statewide survey of November 2018 likely general election voters. The 600 sample, live operator telephone survey was conducted on September 30-October 2, 2018 and has a margin of error of +/-4.0 percent with a 95 percent level of confidence; 65.0 percent of respondents were contacted via landline telephone; 35.0 percent of respondents were contacted via cell phone telephone. This survey was commissioned by WDIV Local 4 and the Detroit News. 


Recommended Videos