In this episode

• How are ballot orders determined for the November general election?
• Who is running for Secretary of State and Attorney General for the Michigan Republican Party?

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The Michigan Republican Party is holding its endorsement convention this weekend to determine which candidates it will back for key statewide positions. As part of WDET’s weekly series MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben break down the races, the roles at stake, and which candidates are best positioned to win.

Among the contests, attorney general and secretary of state are drawing the most attention. Republicans are aiming to regain control of both offices after longtime holds were broken by Dana Nessel and Jocelyn Benson. Gorchow said the positions carry significant weight: “The secretary of state runs the state’s election machinery, and the attorney general is both the corporation counsel for the state of Michigan. And the attorney general can also sue entities like the federal government and businesses on behalf of the people of the state of Michigan.”

Later in the show, Michigan Republican Party Chair Sen. Jim Runestad discusses the outlook for his party, saying the races for attorney general and secretary of state are expected to be contentious and difficult to predict. He also explained why the party uses a convention instead of a primary, arguing the process is more thorough and less driven by money. “So often, and it’s just a reality, money wins. It wins primaries and wins general elections very often. They go through way more vetting than the primary.”

The convention will be held March 28. 

• More from WDET:

  MI voters to decide if it’s time for a constitutional convention

  New Michigan GOP Chair hopes to unify party

  Women Could Dominate Michigan Democratic Ticket in November