Published by Michigan Public
Politics can be messy. Politics can be confusing. But, that certainly doesn't mean politics can't be a joy-ride. Join It's Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta as they drill down on what’s happening in Michigan politics.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWith one week before Michigan’s primary election, a look at where the open races for governor and U.S. Senate stand. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're in your feed again this week bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. Yesterday, we heard from U.S. Representative Haley Stevens. Note: Michigan Public reached out to former Congressman Mike Rogers, who is running on the Republican ticket. If he accepts an interview request, we’ll bring you that conversation as well. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week on the podcast we're doing something different. We're bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have U.S. Representative Haley Stevens. Tomorrow, we'll hear from former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
July 2026. We are now halfway through the year. On today’s It’s Just Politics, a look at the top three Michigan political stories of the year. So far. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On the heels of Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow’s decision to drop out of the U.S. Senate race, leading contenders in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed met up in a televised debate last night that was Michiganders’ first look at how the candidates stack up directly against each other. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It looks more and more likely that lawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will not pass a state budget by the July 1st statutory deadline. What comes next? by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michigan Senate Democrats propose new data center regulations. What would the bills do and could they actually become law? by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The clock is ticking on Michigan's state budget, and there's growing skepticism lawmakers won’t meet the July 1 deadline. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A big union endorsement, millions in outside spending, and a three-way Democratic fight that's only getting tougher . Michigan's open U.S. Senate race is quickly becoming one of the country's most closely watched contests. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former speechwriter Chai Karve shares how he crafted speeches for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and why political speeches still matter in the digital age. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
New polling shows Governor Whitmer’s enduring popularity, deep voter frustration with the two-party system, and growing anxiety over inflation, jobs, and the state’s economic future heading into Election 2026. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As Michigan’s race for governor heats up, candidates are finally taking part in forums, scheduling debates, and sharpening their campaign messages. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Criminal charges tied to a controversial $20 million state grant and renewed battles over petition signatures in Michigan’s governor’s race. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In Michigan’s much-watched open 35th Senate district special election, Democrat Chedrick Greene wins the Mid-Michigan race as Dems hold onto their Senate majority. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin makes headlines with a visit to Iowa, big campaign funds boost Mike Rogers, and what’s up with John James gubernatorial campaign. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Calling the state capitol “one of the most dysfunctional places” in America, Democratic State Rep. Alabas Farhat joins the pod for a candid conversation about the challenges facing Lansing by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We are two months away from the special election that will determine the functional make-up of the state Senate. The 35th Senate district election is an important race that has folks in Lansing wondering what comes next. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Can former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan win Michigan’s governor race as an independent? We break down his rise, Michigan’s swing voters, and the possible shake-up of two-party politics. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A ballot proposal to tax the wealthy folds, Michigan’s “fake electors” threaten a lawsuit, and could future primary election dates change? It’s a Lansing roundup edition of It’s Just Politics . by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to repeal the state’s new, controversial 24% wholesale marijuana tax, even as the cannabis industry challenges it in court. An update on all things weed in Michigan. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now ! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.