It's Just Politics
Wednesdays at 3:40 p.m. and 8:40 p.m.
Michigan politics is rough and tumble, sometimes confusing but definitely consequential. It’s Just Politics hosts Rick Pluta and Zoe Clark help make sense of the serious questions and the tomfoolery every week. Listen Wednesdays at 3:40p and 8:40p on Michigan Public and get the It’s Just Politics newsletter in your inbox every Friday afternoon. Plus, be sure to subscribe to the It’s Just Politics podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
The Latest from It's Just Politics
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over unreleased election materials. A look into the rare use of a subpoena in Lansing. Plus, former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026.
On the Podcast
From the Newsletter
Radio Segments
-
Candidate websiteAfter nearly six years, Lavora Barnes is stepping down as chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. After a very disappointing 2024 for Democrats, a new party leader is going to have a lot to manage. But that doesn't appear to be diminishing Curtis Hertel's interest in the job. -
Joey Cappelletti/The Associated PressWhat does it mean that an election-denier is the new head of the Michigan Republican Party?
Elsewhere on Michigan Public
-
Divided government is back in Lansing. How are lawmakers at the state capital working bipartisanly to get things done? Join the It's Just Politics team for Issues & Ale. -
Michigan Republicans and Democrats gather this weekend to choose their new state party chairs. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore the role of the state party chairs and why they matter heading into 2026.
More from It's Just Politics
-
If you ask Americans if they are concerned that there will be fraud in this year’s election, a majority will say yes. That’s according to new polling from NPR/PBS News and Marist. And if you break it down by party, 86 percent of Republicans say they are concerned while 33 percent of Democrats say they’re concerned. -
On this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta share what you need to know about the race for control of Michigan’s Supreme Court; plus, the race between former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers and Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat heats up with a debate. And, Morning Edition highlights Michigan elections all-week long in the new series We, the Voters. -
Michigan’s open Senate race will help to determine the makeup of the U.S. Senate next year and right now the polling shows it’s a tied race between Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and former Republican Congressman Mike Rogers. -
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, former Republican President Donald Trump, and their running mates continue to make near-weekly stops in Michigan. On this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore where the presidential candidates are heading and what it tells us about their campaign strategies in the final weeks of Election 2024. Plus, looking ahead to next week’s U.S. Senate debate between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Elissa Slotkin. -
On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta are joined by WDET’s Stephen Henderson and Andrea Bitely of Bitely Communications to dig into the vice presidential debate between Ohio Senator JD Vance and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; plus, Interlochen Public Radio’s Ed Ronco breaks down a state House race in Northern Michigan between Democratic Representative Betsy Coffia and GOP challenger Lisa Trombley that could have big impact in determining whether Democrats keep control in Lansing. -
With absentee ballots being mailed out this week in Michigan, the It’s Just Politics newsletter with Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta brings you an Absentee Ballot 101. Plus, defining what it means to be a midwestern vice presidential candidate in Election 2024 as both Tim Walz and JD Vance eye Michigan this week. -
Absentee ballots go out in the mail this week to Michigan voters who have requested them. Chris Thomas, Michigan’s former long-time Elections Director, joins It’s Just Politics hosts Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta to answer your questions about absentee balloting in Michigan; plus what a new nationwide survey of consumers could tell us about November’s presidential election results.
Archive
