MIRS Monday Podcast

The 2026 election cycle is over, followed by Democrats celebrating a "Blue Tsunami" of success nationally and throughout Michigan. MIRS sits down with state House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri of Canton, who was voted on by his caucus to be the 2027-28 House Speaker. 

Puri talks about what it was like to see Democrats flip the most state House seats since 1964. MIRS House reporter Somer Sodeman asks if legislative staff should be able to unionize, and if it's time to boost the base salary for lawmakers (5:23). 

Also, MIRS sits down with Royal Oak Democrat Amanda Treppa, a grassroots activist and former state Senate candidate; broadcast journalist Russ McNamara and Brian Szmytke, senior advisor to the Oakland County Republican Party. 

In a post-election roundtable, they discuss election night surprises, the state of inner-party relationships and what exactly does cost-lowering policy look like? (16:46). 

The official sponsor of this week's episode is Amrize Alpena. Learn more about them at https://alpena.amrize.com/

 

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) broke news on Halloween weekend by endorsing Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers. Democrat U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed defeated Stevens in a tight primary, 48.5% to 47.5%. 

Also, Detroit Pastor Charles Williams II met with Rogers to discuss police brutality and voting rights on Saturday. Williams had already endorsed and voted for El-Sayed (3:21). 

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg – who many suspect will run for president again – advises Democrats to not try impeaching President Donald Trump if they win a majority in Congress (11:03). 

Also, MIRS talks to Michigan National Guard Major General Paul Rogers at the ceremonial groundbreaking of the $152 million runway project at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Without the new incoming fighter jets that Trump assigned to the base last year, Selfridge could have been at-risk of being downsized or commercialized (14:48). 

The official sponsor of this episode is the Michigan Association of Health Plans, your source for healthcare information: https://www.mahp.org/

For a pre-election roundtable, MIRS is joined by Alexis Wiley, the Detroit-based communications strategist; George Chapp – chair of the Michigan Democratic Party's 10th congressional district caucus – and Jer Staes of the Daily Detroit newsletter and podcast. 

What will be the product of Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers' campaign efforts in Detroit? Also what have been the political landmines stepped in by Rogers and Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed in the final weeks leading up to Nov. 3? 

Additionally, from museum millage questions to voter fatigue from heavy political ads and texts, what else on the general election ballot is worth watching?  (1:59)

The official sponsor of this episode is the Michigan Association of Health Plans, your source for healthcare information: https://www.mahp.org/

MIRS attempted to host a candidate forum for the competitive 12th state Senate race along the Lake Saint Clair shoreline, but did not get a response from the Republican challenger. 

Incumbent Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores) tells Republican John Goldwater that he's "ready to go, anytime, any place." Hertel also claims that this is the first time running against someone he still has never met (1:30). 

Over Guinness beer on Oct. 15 inside Kelly's Irish Pub in Downtown Lansing, MIRS editor and publisher Kyle Melinn speaks with Republican consultants John Yob and Stu Sandler. They discuss shifts in party bases and what has made 2026 unlike other competitive election years in Michigan (25:01). 

The official sponsor of this episode is the Michigan Association of Health Plans, your source for healthcare information: https://www.mahp.org/

 

 

MIRS reflects on last week's U.S. Senate debate hosted by WoodTV. What were Democratic Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers' most notable moments?  (2:14)

Also, after a Secretary of State debate on the same night, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II says it's time for a chief privacy officer with a software engineering background to lead the Department of State (13:03). 

MIRS sits down with Republican National Committee Chair Joe Gruters. He does not think the rhetoric has gone too far in the '26 U.S. Senate race between El-Sayed and Rogers, predicting that "reasonable moderates" in Michigan will surprise the country next month (16:15). 

Additionally, Roxanne Brinkerhoff of the Starfish Family Services talks about how two years ago, her early childhood educators realized 3-year-olds were arriving who were nonverbal (27:32). 

The official sponsor of this episode is the Michigan Association of Health Plans, your source for healthcare information: https://www.mahp.org/ 

MIRS hosts a Republican-Democratic roundtable with Democratic Macomb County Commissioner Michael J. Howard II of Warren and Anna Heaton, the vice president of Resch Strategies and former press secretary under Republican Gov. Rick Synder (1:13). 

Should lawmakers in Lansing answer some calls to suspend the gas tax at the state level amid high fuel costs? Also, are ties to the movement to get off fossil fuels a political asset or liability in 2026, an election cycle focused on costs? 

Additionally, Anna and Michael discuss small businesses contemplating whether or not they can afford healthcare plans for next year. 

MIRS catches up with Robin Schneider of the Michigan Cannabis Industry Association. In the last month, Robin says that two members have committed suicide as the industry struggles to keep up with this year's new 24% wholesale tax on weed. 

Previously viewing Democrats as the cannabis industry's "natural allies," the association is now endorsing Republican U.S. Rep. John James for governor (1:53). 

MIRS also speaks with Nicholas Cook and Sarah Rennie of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Together, they discuss how homeless encampments form, as well as problems they see in both blue and red cities' attempts to minimize them (19:51). 

On Sept. 11, MIRS revisited the 54th state House district, an Oakland County battleground won by a tight 558 votes in 2024.  Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin won by an even tighter 300 votes. 

MIRS meets Sarah Pounds, the Democratic nominee in the 54th House district. Pounds is a Lake Orion paralegal and affordable housing advocate. 

She talks about her work to repurpose underused properties for housing, like when church buildings are emptied when a congregation joins another. She also opens up about how she will vote blue up-and-down the ticket, despite not believing that some of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's policies are feasible (1:47). 

Concerns surrounding large-scale data centers have become a major theme in the 2026 election cycle. But amid opposition to constructing hyperscale facilities, a coalition called Michigan for Responsible Data Centers has taken a supportive position on these projects. 

MIRS sits down with Jeff Zilke, the director of Access Michigan – a data center equipment supplier – and Christine Simon, the government affairs vice president at the Grand Rapids Chamber. 

As the son of a United Auto Workers' member, Zilke wants to play a part of the "economic driver of the future," although he admits the scope and size of data center projects are definitely changing. Meanwhile, Simon says that even if artificial intelligence was reined in, the need for today's new data center projects would still exist (1:10). 

MIRS sits down with Rashida Harrison, the Democratic nominee who had a surprise victory in Michigan's 28th Senate district, covering East Lansing, Meridian Township, St. Johns and other Clinton, Ingham and Shiawassee County communities. 

Harrison moved to East Lansing two decades ago from New York City, and recently taught on Black Women's political organizing and social movements at Michigan State University (2:03). 

Also, MIRS catches up with the Republican nominee in one of Oakland County's political battlegrounds, 23-year-old Roman Gaskey in the 54th House district. In 2024, President Donald Trump won the House district with around 49% of the vote. 

Gaskey talks about his life working for an artificial intelligence startup, and the role Flock cameras and property taxes can play this fall (27:05).