IJP Newsletter

Governor Gretchen Whitmer unveils her 2026–27 budget as Republican Speaker of the House Matt Hall rejects new taxes, setting up an election-year showdown in Lansing.

Former Michigan governors join in a bipartisan call for civility, warning about rising political division ahead of the 2026 elections. Plus, Slotkin says no to DOJ interview and results in Michigan’s 35th Senate District primary.

Voters in Michigan’s 35th state Senate district head to the polls Tuesday for a primary election that’s been a year in the making. It’s a special election that could shape power in Lansing for the rest of the year and, perhaps, beyond.

Michigan’s divided Legislature heads into 2026 without trust or talks between its top leaders. What it means for the budget, policy priorities, and the November election.

Help us shape 2026’s Michigan politics coverage: Take the It’s Just Politics poll

The economy, yet again, is shaping up as the defining issue of Michigan’s 2026 election, from affordability and housing to budgets and jobs.

Dive into Michigan's 2026 political landscape with top stories to watch in the new year: gubernatorial and Senate elections, a constitutional convention ballot question, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s legacy.

A list of the top ten political stories in Michigan in 2025: Whitmer and Trump 2.0, a controversial tax on marijuana, and growing fights over data centers across the state.

Gretchen Whitmer’s selection as DGA vice chair raises new speculation about her political future and whether she’ll pursue a 2028 presidential run.

Wondering why data centers are suddenly everywhere in the news? We’ll break it down. Plus, why the backlash isn’t falling along the usual party lines and what Michigan can learn from how voters in other states have responded.