It's Just Politics

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.

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27 episodes
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Avg 17 min
English

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Wednesday · 8 min
What would Prop 2 do?
Proposed by the group Michiganders for Money out of Politics, Proposal 2 would regulate political spending by utilities and large government contractors. Will it pass? 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.
September 23 · 18 min
Do voters want a Con-Con
How are Michiganders feeling about Proposal One on their ballot, that’s the question that would call for a constitutional convention in Michigan. Plus, candidates call for a gas tax suspension. 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.
September 16 · 18 min
Party Chairs in chairs
With absentee ballots set to go out next week, the chairs of the Michigan Democratic and Republican Parties join It’s Just Politics to discuss the midterm election, and what’s worrying them the most. 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.
September 9 · 18 min
Con-Con
There is a huge decision facing Michigan voters in an already huge 2026 election: whether to vote to convene a constitutional convention to rewrite the state’s entire constitution. What to know about the Con-Con. 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.
September 2 · 18 min
Lt. Gov. ambitions
It’s official: State Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks is the Democrat's choice to run for Lieutenant Governor. Senator Brinks joins the show. Plus, a debrief on the Democrat’s weekend Nominating Convention. 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.
August 19 · 17 min
A capital career
n a special It’s Just Politics, a conversation with a long-time Lansing reporter on what you should really know about the state capital. 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.
August 12 · 12 min
Primary turnout
More than 2.5 million Michiganders turned out to vote in last week’s primary. What can voter enthusiasm tell us about the November election? 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.
August 5 · 18 min
Where do Dems go from here?
After a contentious battle in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, where does the party go from here? Plus, Tuesday’s election results. 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.
July 29 · 18 min
Primary Election Preview
With 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.
July 23 · 19 min
U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
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.
July 22 · 18 min
U.S. Senate Candidate Haley Stevens
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 15 · 18 min
2026. So far.
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.
July 8 · 14 min
Stevens vs. El-Sayed
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.
July 1 · 18 min
Budget deadline, budget frustration
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.
June 24 · 18 min
Data center regulations
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.
June 17 · 18 min
Budget deadline, budget doubts
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.
June 10 · 18 min
Where the U.S. Senate race stands
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.
June 3 · 18 min
Crafting a governor’s voice
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.
May 27 · 18 min
The Michigan mood
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.
May 20 · 18 min
Inside the Michigan governor’s race
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.

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