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MichMash Politics

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Unjumble Michigan politics with MichMash. Each week, Cheyna Roth, Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben interview lawmakers and politicos, and unpack the statewide issues that affect you. MichMash is produced by WDET Detroit Public Radio in collaboration with Gongwer News Service. Part of the NPR Network.

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20 episodes
Updated Friday
weekly
29 min on average

Episodes 20

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Friday · 27 min
A review of the 2026 Michigan primary results
The 2026 Michigan primaries not only affected the state but may have national implications as well. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben break down the results and what they may forecast for the midterm elections. They are joined by Associate Press reporter, Joey Cappelletti.
July 31 · 38 min
A preview of the 2026 Michigan primary election
This year's primaries feature some competitive races that will mark battle lines come November and may even point to national trends. This week on MichMash, WDET'S Cheyna Roth, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss some of the key things to look out for in Tuesday's elections. They are joined by Gongwer reporters Nick Smith and Lily Guiney.
July 24 · 30 min
State House Speaker Matt Hall weighs in on spending proposals and the Republican primary
With Former Michigan Attorney General, Mike Cox, dropping out of the gubernatorial race, how does that shape the Republican primary? This week on MichMash...WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss the remaining candidates and they hear from a prominent Republican leader on their thoughts on the race. Then later on Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall stops by to talk about the race and some recent spending proposals.
July 17 · 28 min
Whitmer clashes with state Democrats after vetoing the party's bills; MEDC revives economic development incentive
Tensions are high in Lansing among the Democrats with Governor Whitmer vetoing a series a bills from her own party. This week, on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Services' Zach Gorchow unpack the 18 months of legal battles that led to this moment. Then later on, David Meninga, senior vice president for Community Development Programs & Execution at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation stops by. He talks about reviving the transformational brownfield program, a state incentive that ended a few years ago but will soon come back once Governor Whitmer signs bills that passed the Legislature on July 3.
July 10 · 29 min
Candidates clash during Michigan primary debates
Both the Democratic US Senate debate and the Republican gubernatorial debate showed the divides among the party's candidates. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben and Zach Gorchow break down the major components of the race. Spoiler alert: MichMash may have been indirectly mentioned in one of the debates.
July 3 · 16 min
What is your favorite state park?
This 4th of July weekend, some Michiganders are celebrating by going to their favorite parks to go swimming, hiking, camping and fishing. This week on MichMash, WDET's Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow discuss the recent investments put into parks. They are joined by Kristen Kosick. She is the Chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation division. Mentioned in the episode: 'Monumental' upgrades at Michigan state parks are nearly complete—here's where $273M went by Lindsay Moore
June 26 · 29 min
Summer Roundup: A review of the major political stories in the past couple of months and a forecast of what's ahead
The Republican gubernatorial race just had a major shake up with President Donald Trump making an endorsement. This week on MichMash, WDET'S Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben discuss how surprising the endorsement was and what this means for the upcoming primaries. Also, with Cheyna being back, we thought we would catch her up on the major political stories from the past couple of months and look ahead to see what the rest of 2026 has in store.
June 19 · 29 min
Michigan US Senate race begins to take shape; State Senator Singh weighs in on the budget process
Over the past month, the Michigan US Senate race has proven to be one of the most competitive races in the country. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Altheia Kasben breakdown the major events that have shaped the race. Then later on, State Senator Sam Singh stops by to share what's been going on in the State capitol.
June 12 · 24 min
Michigan primary voters could pick nominees for secretary of state and attorney general
Michigan is one of three states that nominates candidates for secretary of state and attorney general at party conventions. There is currently a push to put those nominations to the statewide primary ballot instead. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss the factors being weighed with this decision. Then Lon Johnson, former chairperson of the Michigan Democratic Party, stops by and explains why he supports this proposal.
June 5 · 24 min
Money Out of Politics group is "very confident" that their proposal will overcome foreseeable challenges
A ballot measure that would prevent political spending by Michigan’s regulated utilities and large state contractors might be on the November ballet. As part of WDET's weekly series...MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss what is in the proposal and how opponents and supporters of the measure are reacting. The co-chairs of Michiganders for Money out of Politics, Sean McBrearty and Christy McGillivray, stop by to talk about their proposal.
May 29 · 27 min
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.
May 22 · 32 min
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.
May 15 · 31 min
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.
May 8 · 23 min
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.
May 1 · 27 min
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.
April 24 · 39 min
Recap: 2026 filing deadline and Democratic state endorsement convention
Candidates looking to get on the ballot hit a major milestone this week. This week on WDET's weekly series MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discuss this milestone with Bridge Michigan's deputy editor Jonathan Oosting. They also talk about the 13th U.S. House District in Detroit.
April 17 · 35 min
Michigan Democrats hold 2026 state endorsement convention
The Michigan Democratic Party is holding their endorsement convention this weekend to determine the party’s supported candidates for critical positions. As part of WDET's weekly series...MichMash...Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben discusses what those positions are and which candidates have the best chances of winning.
April 10 · 30 min
Will the Michigan Senate race forecast other critical races across the nation?
The race for the Michigan Senate seat is drawing national attention as the winner of the race may show a larger trend with other critical races across the country. This week on WDET's weekly series MichMash....Gongwer News Service's Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben breaks down this race with Detroit News Washington Bureau Chief Melissa Nann Burke. They discuss the candidates and their projections for November.
April 3 · 29 min
Attorney General Dana Nessel addresses detention center, President Trump, data centers and more
The State of Michigan and the City of Romulus have sued the U.S. Department of Homeland Security because of a conflict with a warehouse conversion into a detention center. This week on MichMash Gongwer News Service's Alethia Kasben talks with Attorney General Dana Nessel to discuss her concerns about the department's actions and much more.
March 27 · 24 min
Michigan Republicans hold 2026 state endorsement convention
The Michigan Republican Party is holding its endorsement convention this weekend, where party leaders will back candidates for key races. This week on WDET's MichMash, Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow and Alethia Kasben break down the positions at stake and which candidates are best positioned to win. Later in the show, Michigan Republican Party Chair Sen. Jim Runestad joins to discuss the party’s outlook and what comes next.

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