What led Mike Duggan to drop out of the gubernatorial race?; Michigan’s Court of Claims issued a decision that could affect earmarks

The 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference focuses on common ground

The Mackinac Policy Conference had a couple of surprising moments from lawmakers, leaders, and political candidates. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben give a glimpse of some of the news happening on the island. Gongwer reporter Liz Nass joins the conversation from the conference to share her coverage of the annual meeting.

What led Mike Duggan to drop out of the gubernatorial race?; Michigan’s Court of Claims issued a decision that could affect earmarks

We have less than 6 months until the midterm elections... and independent candidate Mike Duggan has dropped out of the race. This week on WDET's weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what elements led the former Detroit Mayor to making his decision and reactions it drew from both Democrats and Republicans. And then later on in the episode we talk about earmarks. Earmarks are ways to get projects approved for local governments. Due to a decision from the Michigan’s Court of Claims, what lawmakers consider an earmark may change. Gorchow and Kasben also discuss how the evolution of this type of funding led to current criticisms. Patrick Wright, Vice President for Legal Affairs at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, joins to help explain the decision.

The Michigan Education Association withholds their endorsement; How does the Michigan Bureau of Elections work?

The Democrat gubernatorial race hit some turbulence this week after a key endorser, The Michigan Education Association, didn't decide on who they are going to support. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss why the association has withheld their endorsement for now.     Later on in the episode, the director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, Jonathan Brater, explains how the government office works in conjunction with the Secretary of State, how they approve signatures and more.

Democrat victory in special election may show where the 2026 midterms are headed

An important state senate race for Michigan's 35th Senate District was decided Tuesday, and it could have huge implications for the November midterm elections. This week on WDET's weekly series, MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what how the race was decided. They are joined by Alvin "AJ" Jones from WCMU Public Radio to break it all down.

The 2026-2027 fiscal year budget process is outpacing last year's

Both the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate have completed their 2026-27 fiscal year budgets and advanced them out of their respective chambers. This week on WDET's MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what's different this year. They also break down some of the major points of the budgets.  Then later in the show, Public Service Commission Chair Dan Scripps stops by to discuss energy costs in Michigan and data centers.