MIRS Monday Podcast

MIRS Monday, May 11, 2026

MIRS sits down with Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit, Michigan Democrats' endorsed candidate for Attorney General this year. 

Savit talks about wanting to go after businesses that use data algorithms to "gouge" prices, charging shoppers different prices based on what technology knows about them. He also talks about how leading Detroit's lawsuits against the opioid industry has contributed to his current philosophy as an AG candidate (1:40). 

Also, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranked Michigan 32nd for its economic outlook in its recent "Rich States, Poor States" report. MIRS talks to ALEC Chief Economist Jonathan Williams about struggles Michigan might face to offer an economy with attractive salaries (33:25). 

MIRS Monday, May 4, 2026

Ahead of the Michigan Political Leadership Program fundraising dinner on April 29, MIRS sat down for a one-on-one conversation with keynote speaker Robert Costa, CBS News' chief Washington analyst. 

Costa shares his concerns about the aftermath of a gunman who reportedly stormed past security at last month's White House Correspondents Dinner, and the future of civic dialogue in American politics. 

He also talks about the possibility of Michigan seeing a reduction in straight-ticket voters in the fall, and how U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin's (D-Holly) ambitions have become a story for the national media to watch. (1:15)

MIRS Monday, April 27, 2026

MIRS hosts a strategists' edition of the Republican-Democratic roundtable, including Holland Democrat Joe Spaulding and Oakland County Republican Brian Szmytke. 

Together they discuss the aftermath of Michigan Democrats' endorsement convention in Detroit, as well as the public-facing feud taking place between the U.S. Rep. John James and businessman Perry Johnson's campaigns for governor. 

Brian and Joe also list the unique political rivalries they're watching across legislative and Congressional races, as well as why legislators might not pick up the Governor's proposed "sin-taxes" this budget-making season (2:03).

MIRS Monday, April 20, 2026

Samantha Shriber does a live recap from the Michigan Democratic Party's April 19 endorsement convention inside Detroit's Huntington Place (1:00). 

Also, earlier this month MIRS joined the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan for a ride-along on the QLine, Detroit's 3.3 mile-long streetcar system. Ben Stupka, the RTA's executive director, talks about what's next for public transit in Metro Detroit (2:42). 

Attorney General Dana Nessel updates MIRS on the U.S. Department of Justice's request for November 2024 ballots, ballot receipts and envelopes in Wayne County. Nessel is denouncing the request along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (27:27). 

MIRS Monday, April 13, 2026

Today's episode is a Republican-Democratic roundtable edition of MIRS Monday, featuring Mark Ludwig, the "Yellow Dog Democrat" and Allegan Conservation District chair, and Jackson-based Republican media strategist Billie Rajzer. 

Together they discuss predictions for the Michigan Democratic Party's April 19 endorsement convention, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin not ruling out a potential 2028 presidential run and the future of legislation to reduce local government regulations on housing construction (1:17). 

MIRS Monday, April 6, 2026

Ahead of Michigan Democrats' April 19 endorsement convention, MIRS sits down with Suzanna Shkreli, the former state lottery commissioner running for Secretary of State. 

Suzanna talks about her "night-and-day" career switch of going from prosecuting crimes against children in Macomb County to handing over checks to Powerball winners. She has a vision of a Department of State with more self-serving kiosks, mobile units and digital driver's licenses. 

She also says that Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, her opponent, told her "point blank that he didn't want this job" ahead of her getting in last December (1:26). 

Also, MIRS catches up with term-limited state Sen. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville), who's introducing himself as "Farmer Rog" as he runs for Michigan State University's trustee board (29:47). 

MIRS Monday, March 30, 2026

MIRS Podcast Host Samantha Shriber recaps the Michigan Republican Party's recent endorsement convention, where Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd and Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini won Republicans' endorsements for Attorney General and Secretary of State (1:32). 

She shares interview clips from Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad and state House Speaker Matt Hall. 

Also, MIRS catches up one-on-one with Republican candidate for governor, Tom Leonard, a former Michigan House speaker from DeWitt. Leonard talks about why he feels that Lansing is "broken," wanting to abolish suspicion of "pay-to-play" in the Capitol and why he believes he's the "grassroots candidate" in Republicans' primary (12:22). 

Do you sign up for credit cards based on travel rewards? Nick Simpson of the Electronic Payments Coalition and President James Canders of the Michigan Association of Airport Executives share why they think a federal proposal could potentially cut a consumer's rewards in half (40:10). 

MIRS Monday, March 23, 2026

Earlier this month, an intoxicated passenger reportedly assaulted two Amtrak train employees in Eaton County, on a train transporting multiple college students. MIRS sits down with Eric Stanger, the Michigan legislative director with the SMART union – representing rail and transportation employees – and local union representative and Amtrak conductor Nate Hatton. 

They are ramping up their calls for legislators to pass bills creating specified penalties for individuals who assault operators on Michigan's trains and buses (1:05).

Also, who is Shelley Wright? MIRS sits down with the Harrison Township Republican working to take on state Sen. Kevin Hertel – the Saint Clair Shores Democrat – in one of Michigan's most competitive battleground districts (19:30).

MIRS Monday, March 16, 2026

MIRS sits down with Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd, who's running to become Republicans' pick for Michigan Attorney General. He discusses the recent car ramming attack on Oakland County's Temple Israel, the growing relationship between crime and technology, and what Republican delegates are most eager to talk about this year (1:05). 

Also, MIRS hosts a Democratic/Republican roundtable with Katie Jesaitis, a public affairs professional who worked previously for U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) – and Michelle Smith, a Sterling Heights-based Republican. 

Together, they talk about "Invest in MI Kids" suspending its campaign for a ballot proposal to use a 5 percent surcharge on wealthy incomes for education funding, as well as whether Michigan should move its primary elections up from from August to May (24:15). 

MIRS Monday, March 9, 2026

MIRS welcomes Jamie Roe – the Republican consultant based in Macomb Township – and Warren Democrat Joel Rutherford, the former chair of Michigan Democrats' 10th Congressional district caucus. 

On this week's Macomb County edition of the Democratic-Republican roundtable, Joel and Jamie discuss how wealthy Republican Perry Johnson has already impacted the Governor's race. Also, is a proposed stricter ID-to-vote statute worth all Michiganders needing to return to the Department of State to prove their citizenship with documents beyond their driver's licenses? 

Jamie and Joel additionally talk about their preferred candidates to represent the 10th U.S. House district after this year's elections (:50).