In this episode 

• What makes this gubernatorial race different from previous ones?
• Which candidates are drawing the most attention to their campaigns, and what could they do to win?
• How do sports and politics reflect each other?

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

With only a couple of months left until the midterms, Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates are trying to build support in their bids to become the state’s next governor. This week on WDET’s MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss how this race for governor differs from previous ones.

They are joined by Andrea Bitely, founder of the public relations firm Bitely Communications.

The race drawing the most attention in Michigan so far is the U.S. Senate race between Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers. As for the gubernatorial race between Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and U.S. Rep. John James, Bitely says it isn’t garnering the same level of attention.

“The gubernatorial race is potentially the most boring gubernatorial race in the history of gubernatorial races.”

Bitely continued by saying that after Mayor Mike Duggan dropped out, the race lost some of its interest for her.

“I think it got a lot more boring on May 21st [2026]. But maybe that’s just the the Duggan campaign staffer in me coming out.”

May 21 was the day Duggan dropped out of the race for governor.

Bitely concluded that to draw more attention to the gubernatorial race and their respective campaigns, the candidates need more rallies and events, along with a resounding message that sticks with voters.

The midterm elections are Nov. 3.

More from WDET:

• MichMash: Abdul El-Sayed makes his case for the Michigan US Senate seat
• MichMash: Live from Lansing
• MichMash: Why Mike Duggan dropped out, plus court ruling could affect funding

In this episode

• Key to some of the progressive wins in the most recent Michigan primaries
• What does it mean to be a democratic socialist?
• What chances do some progressive democrats have in the November election?

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

The progressive wing of the Democratic party made some noise in the recent primaries. What has been the key to their success so far? This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow chat with Chris Gilmer-Hill, one of the progressives who won his race.

Gilmer-Hill shares why he feels like he was able to win.

Gilmer-Hill attributes his win against incumbent Democratic state Rep. Helena Scott greatly to the Democratic Socialist of America and the engine they put behind his campaign. Especially being that without them he lost by a large margin two years ago. 

“DSA is the biggest difference. Two years ago I filed because I disagreed with a lot of what our incumbent was doing and I didn’t think it was right for her to run unopposed but I didn’t have DSA or a whole movement of folks behind me. I wasn’t expecting to win. Actually at the time 27% was a lot more than what I was expecting so I saw an opening for the future. But that opening wouldn’t have been something we could’ve use to win without an army of DSA members”

Gilmer-Hill is running for the 8th state House District.

More from WDET:

• The Metro: What Abdul El-Sayed learned from being outspent 11-1
• The Metro: What Republican candidates need to do to win Michigan
• Jerome Vaughn retires from WDET

In this episode

• The results of the Michigan primary elections. What was surprising and what was expected?
• A forecast of the 2026 midterm elections
• What do the results mean for the democratic party. statewide and nationally?

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

The 2026 Michigan primaries not only affected the state but may also have national implications. This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben break down the results and what they may forecast for the midterm elections. They are joined by Associated Press reporter Joey Cappelletti.

The biggest story coming out of the primaries is Abdul El-Sayed defeating U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens for the Democratic nomination for an open U.S. Senate seat. After winning by less than 1 percentage point, El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers in the general election. El-Sayed represents the progressive, Democratic Socialists of America wing of the party. Cappelletti says the results in November could make or break the momentum the DSA has gained with El-Sayed’s victory.

“We’ve seen the progressive wing have victories in deep-blue cities before. But this is really the first time that we saw it on this level in a swing state like Michigan. Michigan does prefer, at least in the past, more moderate, pragmatic candidates. What happened [during the primaries] was big for the movement, but it will not matter if they don’t win in November.”

The midterm elections will be held Nov. 3, 2026.

• More from WDET:

  Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate primary in major victory for Democrats’ progressive wing

  Detroit Evening Report: Primary election results

  Metro: Progressives win up and down ballot

In this episode 

• The state of both the Democratic and Republican gubernatorial race. 
• Which spending proposal does State House Speaker Matt Hall support?

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

With Former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, dropping out of the gubernatorial race, how does that shape the Republican primary? This week on MichMash, WDET’s Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben discuss the remaining candidates and they hear from a prominent Republican leader on their thoughts on the race.

Then later on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall stops by to talk about the race and some recent spending proposals.

Hall has said that he would support any Republican candidate for Michigan governor that President Donald Trump endorsed. With Congressman John James having that endorsement, Hall said James would be a great governor. “‘I’m fully behind John James. And, you know, you see, he’s leading in the polls. I’ve been so affective with the house. Imagine if you gave me a governor how much more effective we can be”. 

The 2026 primaries are on August 4th. 

• More from WDET:

  MichMash: State House Speaker Matt Hall wants more H.E.A.T. and less ‘pork’

  MichMash: Candidates clash during Michigan primary debates

  MichMash: Money Out of Politics group is “very confident” that its proposal will overcome foreseeable challenges

The United Auto Workers has endorsed Jocelyn Benson for governor and Abdul El-Sayed for U.S. Senate in Michigan’s 2026 elections.

In a statement, the UAW said it supports El-Sayed because it wants “a fighter” in Washington, D.C. During an interview with ABC News Live this week, El-Sayed discussed the importance of unions like the UAW.

“The best way to protect people’s wages is to allow them to form unions. I want to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the PRO Act to make sure you have the voting rights and that you can form a union anywhere and in any sector in American life.”
The UAW also said the 2026 gubernatorial race is critical and that Benson has demonstrated she would stand with working-class Michiganders.

The endorsements come after former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan entered the governor’s race as an independent candidate and following last week’s Mackinac Policy Conference, where El-Sayed and fellow Democratic Senate candidates Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens participated in a debate.

Additional headlines for June 5, 2026

Dearborn opens third PEACE Park in Southend

Dearborn has opened its third PEACE Park in the city’s Southend neighborhood.

PEACE stands for Park Equity and Access for Civic Engagement. The parks are part of the PEACE Project, a nearly $30 million grant-funded effort to invest in the city’s green infrastructure.

PEACE Park South includes a community basketball court, two pickleball courts, a garden walk and other amenities. During a town hall meeting in April, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud discussed additional efforts to expand green space throughout the city.

“Every year, we choose six to nine schools where we’re planting rain gardens and trees in various schools.”

The new park is now open for residents to enjoy.

Tigers host Mariners in weekend series

The Detroit Tigers host the Seattle Mariners this weekend for a three-game series at Comerica Park.

Detroit enters the series looking to gain ground in the American League Central amid trade speculation ahead of the deadline.
First pitch for Friday’s game is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

Detroit City FC takes on Lexington SC in USL Jägermeister Cup

Detroit City FC will face Lexington SC in Group D action of the USL Jägermeister Cup on Saturday.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.

Michigan State researcher helps prepare World Cup playing surfaces

Michigan State University professor Trey Rogers is helping prepare playing surfaces for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Rogers helped pioneer indoor natural grass systems for the 1994 World Cup. For next year’s tournament, he and his team are developing methods to ensure the safe transportation and installation of turf at host stadiums.

According to Bridge Michigan, Michigan State and the University of Tennessee are also supplying turfgrass through a FIFA-funded project.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11 and concludes July 19.

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