Michigan elects a new governor this year.

The crowded field of candidates for the governor’s office includes former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox.

The Republican contender says his background has shaped his run for the top job in Lansing.

Interview edited for length and clarity

Mike Cox: Just a generation ago, my parents came to Michigan because it was the greatest state in the greatest nation. They were immigrants, legal immigrants, and literally my dad used to tell us when we were growing up as kids that the streets were paved with gold when he got here. That’s how so many generations of Americans have viewed Michigan.

And right now, as football coaches tell us, the numbers tell the story. You are what your record says you are. And every single month we’re dwelling at the bottom in unemployment.

Just 12 years ago, we were middle of the pack in fourth grade reading, middling, and we’ve shrunk all the way back to the bottom.

The flip side of that is my granddaughters, kind of fortuitously, are growing up in Mississippi. In the past 12 years, they went from 49th to 9th. That’s why they call it the Mississippi Miracle. It’s been a miracle for my grandkids.

So why am I running for governor? We’ve been in decline too long. And I know I can build a team that’ll lead us back to victory, to make Michigan the state my parents remembered.

Quinn Klinefelter, WDET News: You mentioned several issues there.  Which do you see as the most important to voters in Michigan?

MC: The most important are the three “E’s.” That’s education, employment/economy and emigration with an “e.” That means outbound migration, folks leaving us. And that’s really a function of education and the economy.

Over the past seven years we’ve had a state government that’s grown by 54%. $31 billion in new spending. And Quinn, that is killing affordability here in Michigan. You overlay that with Gov. Whitmer’s clean energy plan, which many, including me, call a scam. We now have the highest energy rates in the Midwest.

It makes it much less competitive to do business here in Michigan. So people are heading south. I’m not just talking about Florida, Tennessee, Texas. I’m talking about Indiana and Ohio. They’re the ones who are picking our pockets. And as governor, we can change that.

Spending less, improving education

QK: If you were elected governor, how would you address those issues specifically? Especially if you would still have to deal with a politically-divided legislature.

MC: Look, I was a prosecutor here in Detroit for 13 years before I was elected attorney general. Across the region, people want their kids to be able to read by the third grade, right? So, in terms of fixing education, states like Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi are now leading the country and doing it with much less money than we in Michigan spend. What do they do?

Number one, they require every kid to be able to read by third grade. Pretty simple. Number two, make sure every kid gets taught phonics the same way. Pretty simple. If a kid’s struggling, such as my granddaughter who is autistic, they get a tutor. Number four, provide coaching for teachers. And then number five, grade every public school, including charters. That allows parents, grandparents, and property taxpayers to see how their local school is doing.

Those five things have turned Mississippi around. And they’re doing it with 40% less spending per child, through every single demographic. We can do that. It’s doable right now.

Eliminating income tax

MC: In terms of eliminating income tax, it’s just simple. What are the most dynamic states in the nation right now? There’s Florida, Tennessee and Texas, like I mentioned, but also Wyoming, New Hampshire, cold weather states, South Dakota, Nevada. What do they all have in common? They all have different economies but they all have no income tax.

That helps small business owners, folks doing what I’ve been doing for the past 15 years since I disappeared from politics and built a business. It would cut the state corporate tax on 900,000 small businesses here in Michigan. And what then happens? The owner there can buy another stove or hire another server or consider opening another facility, right? It means the owner of a tool and die shop might send her employees for new training or buy a new machine.

Governors cannot pick winners and losers. Wall Street can’t even do that. But you can lower the burden on every small businessman and woman, make decisions quicker in terms of permitting and licensing. Doesn’t make anything less safe, but makes the process quicker.

You accelerate, you join the cadence, the velocity of what business needs to succeed. And this state will grow more prosperous.

What replaces income tax funds?

QK: If you eliminate the state income tax, that would erase a fair amount of revenue that comes into the state. How would you replace it?

MC: When I was elected attorney general in a close statewide race—I was the only Republican to ever beat Democrat Gary Peters—I didn’t know we were about to walk into the “lost decade.” For seven or eight years we were in a one state recession. And the rest of the country joined us during the Great Recession.

As you can imagine, our caseload jumped about 10%. At the same time, each and every year I was getting less money from the legislature. I had to reduce the size of my staff by 21%. No one ever does that in government. But I did it because it was required.

So what do you do at the state level? You do what Ford, GM, and Chrysler do. You turn to your vendors and you squeeze them for money. We upgrade technology. Without the goal, we’re never going to get there. And we will start to attract people again. Our revenues will actually grow as each and every year you see Tennessee growing, Texas growing. People are moving there. They’re staying there.

What does it mean? For a young couple trying to save up for that first home, a couple years without the income tax means they get the nest egg to plant roots right here in Michigan. For 900,000 small businesses, which are more than 99% of all the businesses in Michigan, it would be a tax cut. They would be able to hire more people, employ more people. The income tax is $13 billion every year. Michigan’s government, under the governor’s current proposal, will have grown $31 billion over seven years. That’s over twice what it would take to eliminate the income tax.

And I’ve taken on big fights and won. That includes utilities, when I saved ratepayers over $3 billion when I intervened. Whether it’s Blue Cross, when I helped stick up for individual payers and seniors, or whether it’s government in terms of affirmative action, I’m a guy who sticks up for the little guy and little woman.

Michigan voters may get a ballot proposal changing the way they are verified to vote. This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what this ballot would require. Later, candidate for Michigan governor Mike Duggan joins the discussion.

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

In this episode

• What is in the citizens-only ballot proposal?
• How is former mayor Mike Duggan connecting with voters during his gubernatorial campaign?

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Unpacking Michigan’s ‘Citizen Only’ ballot initiative
• Filmmaker Ken Burns says new American Revolution doc shows citizenship carries responsibility
• New Hampshire judge decides to pause Trump’s birthright citizenship order

Candidates for Governor of Michigan gathered on Friday for a forum with the Michigan Education Association.

The forum covered topics including funding, teacher recruit and retention, and improving services that could relieve pressure from educators such as mental health services and childcare.

Both Democrat candidates in attendance, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genessee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, have backgrounds in education.

Focus on funding

Jocelyn Benson is building her education platform on starting teachers’ salaries at $60,000 a year and removing what she calls a one size fits all funding model for schools.

“The goal is to make sure it’s equitable, that it’s designed to invest in the unique needs of what an Alpena student needs versus what a Muskegon student needs. And you’ve got to build it with educators at the center of the table in figuring out what that funding is,” Benson said.

She added providing services outside of schools such as daycare and affordable healthcare can help increase teacher recruitment and retention.

Chris Swanson agreed that raising salaries would build retention rates among teachers and attract the highest quality talent. He also suggested a 2-year budget for education instead of an annual to avoid starting the school year without funding, as the state did this school year when the state budget hung in limbo.

“You saw what happened last year where July 1 hit it wasn’t signed federally to July 4, and nothing kicked off until the fall,” Swanson said. “That is unfair for you trying to figure out how you’re going to build your curriculum and have the resources to do what you need to do.”

Curriculum first

Republican Candidate and former Attorney General Mike Cox stressed accountability among decision makers on what curriculum is important needed to be addressed before any more money is allocated.

“We had a third-grade reader law, right that every child had to be able to read by the end of third grade, and we threw that away. There are 26 states across the country that require that,” Cox said. “We were 31st in fourth grade reading. We’re now 48th you know, when you throw away accountability, you’re just throwing away money, and more importantly, you’re squandering children’s lives.”

Less government involvement

Independent candidate and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is building his platform on returning $1.3 billion, he claimed was reallocated from schools by both parties over past three governor administrations.  He also vowed to end what he calls “Yo-yo school standards,” where curriculum is often changed under a new administration. Duggan said educators should be the ones designing the curriculum, not politicians.

“I don’t think the average person realizes that most of these decisions they’ve changed the reading curriculum twice in the last four years. Legislature has is that the legislature is making decisions on curriculum, ” Duggan said.

Schools threatened by ICE

As Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence grows around  the country, Michiganders are concerned about ICE targeting schools.

Cox believes that the conversation around ICE is a mere side show, asking the educators in the room “What does Donald Trump have to do with your salaries? What does Donald Trump have to do with student performance in your classrooms?”

Cox went on to claim that ICE has not targeted any Michigan school. In early January this year there have been reports of ICE agents targeting parents at school bus drop off sites.

Duggan took the stance that local police agencies are unable to interfere with federal enforcement. He said that by law, if ICE is looking for a person that the Detroit Police Department has in their custody, they honor the detainer and release the person into ICE custody. Duggan claims the alternative would be to release the person of interest in the street and risk ICE going in the neighborhoods and increasing fear among residents.

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she’s not afraid to stand up to the President.

“The next Governor of Michigan must have and demonstrate that they will the moral courage, that I have as Secretary of State, to protect the young people, the educators, every resident of every community in this state, no matter what type of tactic the bully in the White House tries to bring to our communities,” Benson said.

Sheriff Swanson condemned the actions of ICE, calling it bad law enforcement. He said as governor he would demand that schools are off limits to ICE.

“When you talk about the most one of the most sacred places a kid could go to feel safe, That’s not a place to do that type of law enforcement. Not at all,” Swanson said.

The primary election for governor of Michigan is Aug. 4. 

The Bangladeshi ambassador to the United States visited Hamtramck Saturday to meet with Bangladeshi Americans. Tareq Md Ariful Islam joined a town hall at the Gates of Columbus Banquet Hall to discuss U.S. – Bangladeshi relations. 

Michigan Bangladeshis hope to get a permanent consulate office in Michigan to service the thousands of Bangladeshis in the state. In October 2025 the Advisory Council in Bangladesh, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, approved a proposal to open a consulate office in Michigan. It’s one of five offices scheduled to open around the world. People applauded as Ambassador Islam announced plans are moving forward to open the consulate office in Detroit.  

The Embassy has provided mobile consular services over the years. 

Additional headlines for Monday, Feb. 9, 2026

Ismael Ahmed memorial

A celebration of life memorial service was held for Arab American activist Ismael Ahmed yesterday at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center in Dearborn. Ahmed passed away on Jan. 31.

Speakers included Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and business leader Nasser Beydoun, who shared personal memories during the celebration of his life.

Friends talked about his commitment to public service and the arts. Ahmed co-founded the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services and the Concert of Colors. He also led the Michigan Department of Human Services under former Governor Jennifer Granholm. Ahmed hosted two music shows on WDET including This Island Earth. 

-Reporting by Pat Batcheller

Candidates for governor discuss education

Some candidates for governor discussed their education plans during a Michigan Education Association forum in Detroit. They generally agreed schools need more counselors and other support staff. 

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, says schools do need more money. She also says the state should stop relying on a per-student funding model. 

“Different needs meet different communities. And, as I’ve talked to educators around the state, the number one thing that keeps coming up is just that, that an x amount of money for a student in Muskegon is not going to be the same as x amount of money or the same amount of money for a student in Iron River. The needs are different. The cost model needs to be different.”

Democrat Chris Swanson, Republican Mike Cox, and now-independent former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan also participated in the forum. 

Dearborn Night of Innovation

The City of Dearborn is accepting applications for the Night of Innovation Pitch competition. The event is presented by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce. Five businesses will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges to compete for monetary awards. First prize is $25,000; second place is $10,000; and third place is $5,00 dollars for seed funding.  

The City of Dearborn’s Director of Economic Development Jordan Twardy says the pitch competition is a way to showcase entrepreneurial talent in the city. Dearborn residents and business owners can apply by Feb. 27 by visiting BetOnDearborn.com.

The Night of Innovation will take place at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center May 12 from 5-8 p.m. The event is free for people to attend. 

Hamtramck NEZ tax information session

The City of Hamtramck Community & Economic Development Department is hosting an information session about the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone tax. People will learn how to apply for NEZ tax abatements.

The Coffee, Tea and NEZ session is on Feb. 23 at Kitab Cafe in Hamtramck. The event is available for two sessions; one at 12 p.m. and the other at 5 p.m.     

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Detroiters are dealing the many effects of frigid weather.  One of them is frozen infrastructure.  The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department says there are more than 50 active water main breaks across the city.  The results can include impassable streets, thick ice, and cars on the street frozen in place. 

City officials say there are also 275 fire hydrants that are out of service. 

DWSD Director Gary Brown spoke with WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley about the impact of the freezing weather. 

He says the department is getting many calls from residents dealing with frozen pipes inside homes.  Brown advises them to keep the house heated and insulate pipes on outside walls to keep pipes from bursting and damaging homes. 

Additional headlines for Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026

Wayne State locked down 

Wayne State University was locked down for a couple of hours last night after a shooting in one of its residence halls.  Police say a fight between people who knew one another took place at the Chatsworth Suites, near the Student Center.  Shots were fired.  

Police were dispatched, but the people involved had already left the building  Students were advised to shelter in place as officers searched for the suspects.  A firearm was recovered.  Police determined there was no further threat to the campus community and the all-clear was given to around midnight.

No arrests have been made yet. 

Perry Johnson joins governor’s race 

Michigan businessman Perry Johnson says he’s running to become Michigan’s next governor.  The Republican announced his bid in a video earlier this week. 

“I know people say it can’t be done.  Nonsense.  We can make Michigan great again.  I’m Perry Johnson and I’m running for governor of the state of Michigan.” 

Johnson ran for governor in 2022, but his campaign did not collect enough valid signatures and failed to make the ballot.  He also ran for president in 2024.  Johnson joins the race for the Republican nomination with more than half a dozen other candidates.  The primary election takes place in August. 

Jared Goff going to Pro Bowl 

Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff is going to the NFL Pro Bowl.  He will take the place of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, who will be busy preparing to lead that team in the Super Bowl.  Goff finished the season with more than 45-hundred passing yards – second best in the league. 

The Lions failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2021. 

Listen to the latest episode of the “Detroit Evening Report” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.