Rick Pluta

@rickpluta.bsky.social

I cover law and politics for the Michigan Public Radio Network. Co-host of It’s Just Politics. Don’t do “second breakfast,” but I’ve been known to grab “first lunch.”

CNN’s Dana Bash says the lines are not hard to read between when state SeMallory McMorrowow says she’ll make news soon on whether she’ll run for MI’s open US Senate seat.

MI Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced this morning that she is running for governor. She is the 1st Democrat to announce she is seeking her party's nomination to appear on the 2026 ballot. Benson is running to replace Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who cannot run again because of term limits.

MI Senate Republican leader Aric Nesbitt announces today he is running for governor. He is first GOP hopeful to announce he is running to replace Gov Gretchen Whitmer (D), who cannot seek reelection under term limits.

MI House Dem leaders issue Call of the House. lawmakers are locked in the chamber and not allowed to leave. Also, State Police can be dispatched to bring ok absent members, which right now are includes all House Republicans & Dem Rep Karen Whitsett.

QOTD already goes to MPRN reporter Colin Jackson re efforts in the MI Legislature’s lame duck session by Dem majority leaders & Gov Whitmer to compel attendance & force votes on specific questions: “If we’ve learned anything over the past three days, it’s nobody has to do anything.”

Zoe Clark has back-to-back It's Just Politics interviews w departing lawmakers on what's working/not working in Lansing. Reps Felicia Brabec (D) & Graham Filler (R) are heading for the Capitol doors (but w future aspirations) & offer some candid observations. www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/its-...

Two outgoing lawmakers open up about the real Lansing

On this week’s It’s Just Politics, Zoe Clark is joined by Democrat Felicia Brabec and Republican Graham Filler, two outgoing Michigan state Representatives, to talk about what their time in Lansing wa...

michiganpublic.org