In this episode

• What has Michigan businessman Perry Johnson promised in his first two months on the campaign trail?

• How are Michigan Republican candidates positioning themselves ahead of the 2026 elections?

• Which issues do candidates need to prioritize to attract voters?

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There are several major races later this year, with multiple candidates competing for governor, U.S. Congress, and state House and Senate seats. This week on MichMash, Cheyna Roth and Alethia Kasben speak with Kristin Combs, founder of Bright Sparks Strategies, about how Republican candidates are performing across these contests.

The gubernatorial race saw a major shakeup when Michigan businessman Perry Johnson entered the field. Combs said his candidacy is likely to change the race’s dynamics. “The more people out there spending money, building name ID, and talking about the issues we think will matter to voters, the more attention it brings to the race,” she said.

Combs also noted that a key factor in Republican races outside of presidential election years is whether Trump supporters will turn out to vote. She said national trends and local leadership both influence turnout. “People are struggling with gas prices and grocery prices,” Combs said. “So the things Republicans can do to try and keep costs under control — that’s going to help.”

Finally, Combs’ firm is working to gather signatures for a proof-of-citizenship ballot proposal. Supporters argue the measure would protect elections from non-citizen voting, while opponents say it could prevent some eligible citizens from casting ballots.

More from WDET:

• Detroit Evening Report: Water main breaks plague city
• Michigan Republicans stress party unity at Mackinac Leadership Conference
• MichMash: Recapping the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference

• Gov Whitmer’s approach to recent disagreements with the Trump administration.
• Potential cellphone bans in classrooms gets bipartisan support.

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Although Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and President Donald Trump have found some areas of common ground this year, Whitmer recently outlined key disagreements at the Detroit Auto Show, including opposition to Trump’s tariff strategy and the presence of ICE in Minneapolis. This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss what Whitmer’s comments could signal about future relations with the Trump administration.

Whitmer called some Trump administration actions “an abuse of power,” adding, “I think it is a very serious and scary moment in this country. I appreciate those who are raising their voices. I worry about the people out there just trying to do the right thing.”

Roth said Whitmer’s remarks could hint at political ambitions after her term as governor ends. She also noted that much of Whitmer’s outreach to the Trump administration has focused on maintaining cooperation in Michigan’s best interest.

Later in the episode, Oakland Schools Superintendent Kenneth Gutman discusses proposed legislation that would ban cell phones in classrooms. Gutman supports the measure, saying it benefits students. “There are exceptions, and safety is one of them, but in general, do we need cell phones in classrooms? We do not. They are a distraction.”

If the legislation passes, Michigan would join states including Indiana, Louisiana, New York, and Ohio in banning cell phones in classrooms.

• More from WDET: The Metro: Should cellphones be restricted in Michigan schools? Whitmer on dealmaking with Trump: ‘I will fight back when I need to’

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House Republican have moved to unilaterally cut up to $645 million from the state budget.  But is that legal?  This week on MichMash, Cheyna Roth and Zach Gorchow talk with Bob Schneider of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan to make sense of it all. Plus a look at changes in the race for governor and Secretary of State.

In this episode:

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist drops out of the race for governor and into the Secretary of State’s race

The state of the governor’s race

The battle over unilateral budget cuts

Overview

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist has ended his campaign for governor and has launched an effort to become Michigan’s next Secretary of State instead.  Gongwer’s Zach Gorchow says Gilchrist’s decision shouldn’t come as a surprise.

“He had low name recognition and wasn’t raising anywhere near enough money. Jocelyn Benson, the secretary of state, has been the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for months, and Gilchrist’s exit doesn’t change anything on the Democratic side.”

The news does have implications for the race for Secretary of State as Gilchrist joins an already crowded Democratic field.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are dealing with a provision in state law that allows a single legislative committee to cancel certain types of spending. House Republicans used this mechanism like never before – to cancel up to $645 million in spending.

Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed suit saying the legislation allowing the move is unconstitutional.

Bob Schneider of the Citizens Research Council of Michigan tells us the central issue is around the appropriation process for “work projects.”

“A work project is an authorization to carry forward appropriations into a future fiscal year.”

He says the legislature should be thinking ahead on the issue, because the process could be in jeopardy, depending on how courts rule. Schneieder says lawmaker should be saying to themselves,  “How do we get together and fix this so we have a process that works in the future.”

At the end of 2025, a commitment to getting a new economic development plan out of the Legislature was halted. In this episode MichMash, Bridge Michigan’s business reporter Paula Gardner joins Cheyna Roth and Alethia Kasben to discuss economic development incentives and if they are helping to attract Michigan businesses.

More from MichMash

There were a lot of defining political moments in 2025 that made the year stand out.

This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss some major stories and look ahead to 2026.

In this episode

• MichMash hosts’ top political moments of 2025
• The state of major races heading into 2026.
• What stories should we look out for in 2026?

Overview

Pluribus News politics journalist Reid Wilson said “Michigan is the ‘we matter’ state,” on MichMash last month. Zach echoes this, pointing out how things like the senate race has made “Michigan the epicenter of politics in the midterms in 2026.”  

Zach also spoke about the dynamics of the candidates.

“We’ve got the first legit Democratic primary for U.S. Senate since 1994. Three really strong, viable candidates. But then we’ve got on the Republican side, it appears they’ve consolidated support behind Mike Rogers. And for the most part, he’s just going to be waiting to see who emerges as the Democrat.” 

Beyond elections, Zach also has his eye on the Michigan legislature. He thinks recent inertia will continue because of Speaker Matt Hall’s intention to not get involved what he described as “small things”.

And although there was an agreement after the budget was decided to focus on economic development, Alethia said those plans may be falling apart. “I think the House and Senate could come together and put together [the] top wants of both. It’s just a question of…is there the willingness to get that done, especially if this is more of a Governor Gretchen Whitmer priority and less of a legislative priority?” 

The Michigan legislature will come back to session by mid January 2026.  

More from MichMash

In this episode

• Senator Gary Peters shares why he is not running for reelection.
• Updates with the rank choice voting initiative

Senator Gary Peters’ announcement about not seeking reelection shocked the political world because of his favorability and success. This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Services’ Zach Gorchow talk with the Senator to hear his reasons behind his decision, and they discuss his plans for the remainder of his term.  

Peters shared that he never saw himself in his position for a lifetime and that he likened how the founding fathers intended political leadership positions. “…like the founding fathers…you serve for a period of time and then you go back to private life. I have served in Congress for years. When I leave at the end of next year it will be 18 years. I think that is a good run” 

Peters also noted that politics is becoming more partisan, and it’s becoming harder to find common ground.  

Cheyna and Zach also discuss the recent news on rank choice voting. The group pushing put this new voting system in Michigan said they will retarget their efforts for 2028. Cheyna noted this may have been because they didn’t have enough signatures. You need 466,000 valid signatures from registered voters to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot.  

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Is ranked choice voting a better system for Michiganders?
• MichMash: Sen. Gary Peters’ retirement; Duggan on running for governor as an independent and more
• MichMash: Bipartisan approaches to Violent Crime Clearance Act, privacy, and more

Subscribe to MichMash on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens is vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Michigan in a highly contested field. In this episode of MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben sit down with the representative to see what makes her different from her opponents. 

In this episode:

• What sets Haley Stevens apart from the other candidates for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat?
• What issues are currently affecting Michigan residents?

Correction: Congresswoman Haley Stevens is endorsed by the Mayor of Highland Park, not Hamtramck.

Overview

Stevens is often compared to other established Democrats like U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell or even Governor Gretchen Whitmer. These comparisons are sometimes used to present Stevens as out of touch with the new generation of politics. Stevens says the focus should be more on meeting the needs of Michigan residents.

“I was Michigan’s first millennial to the United States House of Representatives. I’m not an ageist. I think the goal is representing all of Michigan and getting results for Michiganders.” 

She also stated that leaders like Gov. Whitmer’s popularity alongside her own ability to get things done should be embodied.  

Stevens also addressed the comparison with her fellow Democrat opponent Mallory McMorrow, and how they seemingly appeal to the same voters.

“I think poll after poll shows I’m the only Democrat who can beat (Republican opponent) Mike Rogers,”she said. “We need a dogged advocate for Michigan. And I think some of the unique attributes that I bring to this race for the United States Senate is that I am Michigan’s workhorse.” 

The election for the open Michigan U.S. Senate seat is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.  

More from MichMash

As we get closer to the midterm elections, races for the Michigan U.S. Senate and House seats prove that Michigan is stepping closer into the national spotlight. In this episode of MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow discuss Michigan’s power as a swing state with Pluribus News Founder and Editor Reid Wilson.

Plus, the state budget drama continues as cancellations in funding disrupts multiple work projects. Cheyna and Zach debrief on the latest in Lansing.

In this episode:

• How did $645 million in work projects get cancelled?
• What role does Michigan play in the U.S. Senate and House majorities?
• What’s ahead for the 2028 presidential race?

Cancelled work projects

State law empowers the Michigan House Appropriation Committee and the Michigan Senate Appropriation Committee to cancel some types of work projects. This is what happened that caused $645 million to be cancelled in work projects. Gorchow says that this sent shockwaves across the capital, and that nothing like this has ever happened.

The Republican majority committee says they did this to cut spending, but Democrats and even some Republicans disapprove of these actions. There might be a supplemental appropriation bill which would include negotiations and discussion to possibly restore some of this funding.

2028 presidential race

A lot of focus is on the US Senate and House seats in Michigan. But Reid also brought up how the 2028 Presidential Race might feature one of Michigan’s own.

“Just because Governor Whitmer will says she is not running for president, she’s not saying I will not run for president,” he points out.

More from MichMash