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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republicans gather in Mackinaw City with message of unity ahead of 2026 battleground
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) speaks to Michigan Republican Party donors, elected officials and activists at the Straits Area Lincoln Day Dinner event in Mackinaw City on June 7, 2025 | Photo by Ben Solis MACKINAW CITY – Hopped up on a series of fresh wins and with their man in the White House, Michigan Republicans on Saturday said they need to hold it together over the next year if they want to achieve a full sweep of key offices in 2026. With momentum at their backs, it appeared that nothing less would satisfy the nearly 150 donors and elected officials who met to dine at Audie's Restaurant in Mackinaw City for the Straits Area Lincoln Day Dinner. The guest list included two members of the state's congressional delegation – one who may very well seek the open U.S. Senate seat – the Michigan Legislature and many more local officials. Two GOP candidates for governor – former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and current Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) – were also in attendance, who stumped before the crowd with speeches heavy on potential policy for the state. Michiganders in 2026 will not only select a replacement for retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, but also a new governor, secretary of state and attorney general. Control of the Michigan Senate is also up for grabs, with Republicans hoping the wind in their sails from President Donald Trump's 2024 victory will help them win back control of the entire state Legislature after Democrats swept races in 2022. Sen. John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) said that fight is starting early and that he hoped his colleagues understood the measure of the moment. Looking out on the packed banquet hall in the back of Audie's Restaurant, Damoose said the energy was palpable. 'It made me think back to the dark days after 2020, where we just felt kicked in the teeth and we broke up and went into different corners, and we fought amongst ourselves,' Damoose said. 'We were downtrodden and we didn't really have a clear path forward. We were worried that the election wasn't fair.' Damoose said he then thought of his son, who was in high school at the time, and that if he had come home with a poor test score, he likely would have all kinds of excuses about why he failed that test. 'Even if that were true, I would tell him that I didn't care about that. I want to know what you are going to do to do better next time,' Damoose said. That parable was also indicative of what the kind of soul searching Republicans need to do heading into 2026. 'It hurt us to sit and fight. We saw the results of that in 2022, but we did a little better last year,' Damoose said. 'We want the same good things, but the bottom line is, if anybody's out there wondering whether we're divided, look at this [room] and look at the list of people who are here today, ready to win in 2026.' A family sometimes gets into arguments, but the bottom line is that they love each other, Damoose added. He also spoke highly of Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), chair of the Michigan Republican Party, whom Damoose said was committed to bringing them back together. Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) said there will be challenging races for the MIGOP in the Upper Peninsula and it would take a lot of support to get across the finish line. The big prize, however, would be the top three executive offices, all currently held by Democrats. In a jab at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson – the latter of whom is running for governor in 2026 – McBroom said it wouldn't take much to have candidates better than what Michigan has. U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), who attended the event along with headlining speaker U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland), said Trump not being on the ballot means Republicans must focus on voter turnout. If they don't get the turnout equation right in 2026, Republicans could lose the U.S. House, and that would render the last years of Trump's presidency dead in the water. 'The Democrats will veto the Trump agenda, with all the impeachment and stuff that they will choose to do,' Bergman said before adding that he doesn't believe Democrats have a handle on their own platform. 'Who's your party leader? What's your party platform? What is your plan? When you don't have [all three], you're getting what you're getting.' Several protesters greeted Bergman with signs and chants as they walked along the sidewalk outside Audie's Restaurant. Undeterred, Bergman said that aside from holding the U.S. House, getting back control of Lansing in the Legislature and the executive branch should be donors and activists' main priority. The state House fell back into Republican control last year mostly due to Trump's resurgence and a plan executed by Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township). That has already had consequences for the Democrats who controlled both chambers last session as Republicans seek to roll back their legislative agenda and trim the budget with an ethos similar to that of DOGE, the Trump administration effort that has sought to slash, if not eliminate outright, the budgets of federal agencies and departments. Although the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate has put forward its 2025 fiscal year budget, the state House has been slowwalking theirs, with members of the House Appropriations Committee noting how they're going through it with a fine-toothed comb every chance they can in statements or press conferences. Case in point: When speaking to the crowd on Saturday, Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen) talked about his work thus far on appropriations, and said he had 10 items that he 'killed immediately' when he took over his budget. 'One was the water affordability bill that nobody could tell me why there was money in there for anything,' Roth said. 'So, $10 million, gone. We're having a lot of fun with that.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
BCP Council considers creating new level of government
People living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are being asked if they want to establish new community bodies would see elected councillors look after things like parks, community facilities and grass cutting Supporters say they would protect leisure services and events, which are "key to local wellbeing", from cuts as BCP Council faces increasing funding pressure. But critics argue the move would create another level of bureaucracy and increase the amount of council tax residents pay, at a time when personal finances are under strain. BCP Council is carrying out a community governance review, the first since it was created in include creating new councils or merging, altering or abolishing existing Mike Cox, deputy council leader and an elected member on Christchurch town council, said he had seen the benefit of community councils. "We've been able to take over facilities like the Quomps splash park, which faced closure by BCP council due to its budget pressures," he said. He said grass cutting and maintenance of green spaces was now being carried out at less cost by the town council.A campaign for a Southbourne community council has been backed by Richard Renaut, a local said: "Sadly councils are making tough decisions to stop events and close facilities and a community council would mean we could step in and fill that gap to keep these things which make our area special." But Jenny Ayling, who also lives in Southbourne, raised concerns about the said: "We don't know how much this will cost residents, the tax can be raised every year and is not capped. "Many people can't afford it and they're already paying the council for these services."Steve Hayes, from Oakdale in Poole, agreed and pointed out the individual borough councils were scrapped only six years ago in a huge reorganisation."Now they want Poole town and Bournemouth town and Broadstone and Redhill and Boscombe to have councils?" he said."Surely it's reversing all the efficiencies of the last reorganisation? Adding in the extra layer of government and elections to them will be very expensive."The consultation runs until 22 responses will be analysed before a recommendation goes before cabinet in October. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Republican Mike Cox announces run for Michigan governor. Here's everyone who's in the race
The Michigan 2026 gubernatorial race grew even more crowded this past week when former Attorney General Mike Cox, a Republican, made his bid official with an announcement on X. "I've protected people my entire life, fought and beat the worst of the worst," Cox said in the April 15 post. "Let's not stand by and let radical politicians or woke bureaucrats undermine us any longer. I'm running to be your Governor, and together, we can Make Michigan Great Again." Cox had formed a campaign committee in December 2024 and said at the time he was considering a run, but did not make an official announcement until this past week in a post on X and a video. Cox joins what is quickly becoming a large field for the 2026 election to succeed Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is term limited. Since January, 10 people, including Cox, have announced plans to seek the state's highest office, including five Republicans, four Democrats, and one longtime Democrat running as an independent, according to Ballotpedia. U.S. Rep. John James, a Republican, announced his plans to seek the office the week before Cox. Several other individuals have said they are considering their own campaigns or have created gubernatorial campaign finance committees. Declared major candidates include Democrats Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, and Republicans James, Anthony Hudson and State Sen. Aric Nesbitt. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an Independent. The next governor will take office Jan. 1, 2027, after Whitmer's term expires. The deadline for Democrats and Republicans to file to seek the governor's office is 15 Tuesdays before the August primary election (April 21, 2026) and for candidates filing without party affiliation, it's 110 days before the November election (July 16, 2026). Here's a closer look at when the election takes place and declared candidates (in order of when they created their campaign committee or most recent to declare), and those considering running for governor. The next election for governor of Michigan is Nov. 3, 2026. The 2026 primary election is Aug. 4, 2026. Cox, 63, served as Michigan's top law enforcement officer from 2003-10. He ran in the GOP gubernatorial primary in 2010, finishing third in a five-candidate field that year. He was Michigan's first Republican Attorney General in 50 years, his website notes. Cox grew up in Redford Township. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and then attended the University of Michigan, obtaining his undergraduate and law degrees. He spent 21 years as a prosecutor, the website says. His wife, Laura Cox, previously served as the Michigan GOP chair during the 2020 election. His X account says he is running to "eliminate the tax on work, restore the right to work, DOGE the state, teach the ABCs, not DEI, and support school choice." "I'm no stranger to winning tough races, and we're going to do it again. Saving our state is worth it," he said in a post on X. James, 43, who represents the 10th Congressional District, served as president of James Group International (JGI) and CEO of Renaissance Global Logistics — a supply-chain management and logistics services company based in Detroit. He served eight years of active duty military service as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer leading two Apache helicopter platoons during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-09. He is the state's only Black congressman. He ran for U.S. Senate twice unsuccessfully before taking on this newly created seat in 2022 and winning by a narrow margin. James, of Shelby Township, has also given attention to Selfridge Air National Guard Base and worked to bring earmarks back to the district. "Our state has suffered long enough. Michigan is strong. Our people are strong. But we are being held back by a lack of strong, competent leadership — leadership with real-world experience in the areas Michiganders need most," James said in a statement April 7 posted to X. "It's time to get Michigan's government out of fantasyland and back to common sense." Gilchrist, 42, grew up in Detroit and Farmington, and studied computer engineering and computer science at the University of Michigan. He worked as a software engineer at Microsoft in Washington state, where he also was a social media manager for former President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. After moving to Washington, D.C., he worked for a liberal advocacy group. When he returned to Detroit, he worked for the city as its director of innovation & emerging technology. Gilchrist has been Whitmer's lieutenant since she was first elected. "I am about results. And engineers get things done. Engineers are not worried about the politics. They're worried about the problem and the solution and that's where my head will always be and I will be ready and willing, eager frankly, to solve problems alongside anyone who has that same mentality," he told the Detroit Free Press in a phone interview. Swanson was elected Genesee County sheriff in 2020. He won reelection in 2024. Swanson grew up in Grand Blanc and currently lives in Fenton, both Genesee County cities. He has worked in law enforcement for almost three decades, according to the Genesee County Sheriff's website. Swanson attended Mott Community College in Flint, and holds a bachelor's degree and master's degree in public administration, both from the University of Michigan. During a campaign kickoff event, Swanson named protecting Michigan residents' 2nd Amendment, collective bargaining and civil rights as some of his priorities as well as the freedom to worship, in a speech in which he invoked his own faith, saying the Lord had opened doors for him. "I want to lead and help people and inspire an entire generation in the state of Michigan," he said during his announcement. Benson, 47, was first elected Secretary of State in 2018 and then again in 2022. As Michigan's chief elections officer during the 2020 election, Benson spoke out against President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his loss that year. In addition to her election duties, Benson also oversees motor vehicle services in Michigan. During her time in office, Benson has moved more services online and, with self-service kiosk stations in Michigan, drivers have replaced in-person visits to a Secretary of State office with a trip to the grocery store. Before serving as Secretary of State, Benson was dean at Wayne State University Law School in Detroit. "I want Michigan to be the best place in the country to be a kid, raise a kid, and be healthy, safe, and successful. A place where government is efficient and easy to deal with, where businesses and communities thrive, and where every resident has access to quality child care, health care, education, and housing," Benson said in a statement. Nesbitt, 45, is a Cass County Republican, who grew up on a farm and has a long career in Republican politics. He was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010, serving three terms in the chamber. He was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2018. When Democrats flipped that chamber from Republican to Democratic control in the 2022 election, his fellow GOP lawmakers chose him to serve as the Senate Republican Leader. "As governor, I will put Michigan first by supporting taxpayers over the woke left, empowering parents, keeping families safe, and standing with President Trump to revive our manufacturing industry and Make Michigan Great Again," Nesbitt said in a statement. Hudson, a Grand Blanc resident, was born in Hillsboro, Texas, and served in the U.S. Army from 1999 to 2001. He moved to Michigan in 2012, his online biography says, to be near his children after his divorce. His career experience includes owning a small trucking company, Longhorn Logistics, according to Ballotpedia. Hudson is running for governor to eliminate property and state income taxes, demand transparency and accountability, and return power to local communities where it belongs, he says on his website. Duggan, 66, is a Detroit native and was elected the 75th mayor of Detroit in 2013. He took office as mayor in 2014 and is currently serving his third four-year term. After graduating from law school at the University of Michigan, he became an attorney for Wayne County, and then served for 14 years as deputy Wayne County executive, a biography on the city's website said. Duggan chaired the stadium authority and was involved in building Comerica Park and Ford Field, the downtown stadiums for the Tigers and Lions. He also oversaw the construction of the McNamara Terminal and modernization of Metro Airport, the website said. Duggan also was CEO of the Detroit Medical Center. Duggan says he wants to find ways to keep Michigan's young people in the state, improve public education, and expand access to affordable housing. He also hopes to end partisanship in Lansing. Numerous people are listed as having finance committees in place on the state website. Democrat Marni Sawicki, of Kalamazoo, who says she was raised in Battle Creek, has a campaign website and Facebook page, Michigan Loves Marni, Governor, announcing "Marni is the former mayor of Cape Coral, Florida. She was elected in 2013 and served for four years. She is now running to the next Governor of Michigan!" Sawicki says she spent 15 years working in corporate insurance, then transitioned to managing six malls, five in Michigan. "(Feb. 24), I'm officially announcing my candidacy for Governor of Michigan," she said on Facebook. "This isn't a decision I've made lightly, but I can no longer stand by while career politicians continue to put special interests and outdated wants of the party ahead of hardworking Michigan families. "Our campaign won't be backed by corporate PACs or wealthy lobbyists. We're building something different - a true grassroots movement powered by Michiganders like you. While my opponents will have their war chests filled by the political establishment, we'll rely on small-dollar donations from people who believe Michigan deserves better leadership," she added. Republican Evan Space, of Grand Rapids, has formed a campaign committee and has a website stating he is running for governor. Space, a Traverse City native, calls for the elimination of all business taxes, statehood for the UP, bringing space launches to Michigan, the establishment of a U.S. military base and the reform of the Friend of the Court, among other goals. Larry Hutchinson, with no party affiliation, Richard Fuentes, with no party affiliation, Republican Joyce Gipson and Republican Benita Carter have all filed paperwork forming candidate committees with the state. On March 4, Gipson, of Grand Rapids, said on Facebook she is running for governor. "I'm running for governor because I believe in serving others," she said. "I'm also deeply committed to advocating for my community. As a Black woman from Decatur with a large family of 18 siblings, I've seen firsthand the challenges faced by those who may have been overlooked due to standardized testing. I want to empower individuals across the state to pursue their dreams and invest in their potential." The Detroit Free Press has reported that former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon is considering another run or may seek a Senate seat, which also will be open in 2026. The Detroit Free Press contributed reporting to this story. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan's 2026 gubernatorial race: Mike Cox joins field. Here's the full list
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why Mike Cox says he's running for governor in ‘decisive' election
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Another candidate for governor emerged this week when former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced he was running. Calling next year's election, 'decisive,' he joined U.S. Rep. John James and state Sen. Aric Nesbitt, who are also running for the Republican nomination. Cox told News 8 that the state's education system has not improved despite increased funding and that's something he would focus on if elected, along with making sure jobs come back to the state. 'It's tragic to me that now our kids have fallen behind the whole country, literally, our fourth graders in reading. There's only two states behind us New Mexico and Alaska. We're back up to the second highest unemployment in America,' Cox said. 'And I know I have the skills, I know how to build a team, I know how to build a campaign and think this is a moment, not so much for me but for Michigan. 2026 is going to be decisive because it's really, do we get up off the ground and fight or do we accept more decline?' Fully a year before the filing deadline, the field has already grown with a number of notable candidates. Democrats Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have announced their campaigns. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan says he is running as an independent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Michigan AG Mike Cox announces candidacy for governor
Former Republican Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox testifies to the House Weaponization of State Government Committee. March 19, 2025. Screenshot Former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox has jumped into the race to be Michigan's next governor. Cox, a Republican who served as attorney general from 2003 to 2011, posted to social media Tuesday his intention to seek the GOP nomination. 'I've protected people my entire life, fought and beat the worst of the worst. Let's not stand by and let radical politicians or woke bureaucrats undermine us any longer. I'm running to be your Governor, and together, we can Make Michigan Great Again,' said Cox, paraphrasing President Donald Trump's trademark slogan. Cox is now the fifth Republican to announce for governor, joining Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township), U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), Genesee County truck driver Anthony Hudson and Traverse City native Evan Space. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson have each announced their campaigns for governor, while Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, is running as an independent. Cox, who is married to former Michigan GOP Chair Laura Cox, previously ran for governor in 2010, but came in third in the Republican primary behind Rick Snyder, who went on to serve two-terms as governor, and Pete Hoekstra, a former congressman, who was confirmed last week as the U.S. ambassador to Canada. Cox, a Marine Corps veteran, later opened his own law firm, best known for representing former University of Michigan student-athletes in litigation against the university for sexual abuse perpetrated by former sports physician Robert Anderson. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
