Welcome to the February 2026 edition of the Great Lakes Political Report newsletter. This publication is designed to provide you with a quick overview and opinion on current news in the Great Lakes State.

Special Senate District 35 Primary Election

The February 3, 2026, special primary provided clear nominees for the May 5 general. Democrat Chedrick Greene, a Saginaw fire captain and veteran, won handily with about 60% in a six-person race, while Republican Jason Tunney, a Saginaw attorney, narrowly took the GOP nod 51%-42%. Democrat turnout was far stronger, which was expected as they need to protect their slim 19-18 Senate majority in the swing district. The outcome sets up a competitive general on May 5, that could tip the chamber balance.

Cell Phone Restrictions in Schools

In a strong bipartisan move, Michigan's Legislature has passed a package of bills that would require every public school district and charter school to ban student use of wireless devices, primarily smartphones, during instructional time beginning in the 2026-27 school year. House Bill 4141 and Senate Bill 495, which passed with overwhelming support, 99-10 in the House and 34-1 in the Senate, allow exemptions for emergencies, medical needs, or classroom-approved educational purposes, while giving districts flexibility to adopt even stricter rules if they choose. With Gov. Whitmer's signature earlier this week, this could be a major win for Michigan's education system going forward.

ICE Required To Wear Body Cameras

In the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement, federal Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on February 2, 2026, that all DHS officers deployed in Minneapolis will immediately begin wearing body cameras, with plans to expand the program nationwide "as funding is available." This follows $20 million allocated in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026 for ICE and CBP body cameras, amid Democratic demands during recent funding battles for mandatory cameras, unmasking agents, visible IDs, and limits on roving patrols. In Michigan, the issue ties into broader state pushback, where Democrat-sponsored Senate Bills 508-510 aim to restrict ICE actions in certain locations like schools and hospitals, and ban masked federal agents.

Minimum Wage Increase in Effect

Michigan workers earning the minimum wage are now seeing a boost, with the state's rate rising to $13.73 per hour effective January 1, 2026. A $1.25 increase from the previous $12.48, under the phased schedule set by the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act. This applies to employers with two or more employees, while the tipped minimum wage rose to $5.49 per hour, and the rate for minors aged 16-17 increased to $11.67 per hour. The hike, stemming from bipartisan legislation signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, aims to address rising living costs amid economic pressures like inflation and food prices. The next step comes January 1, 2027, when the minimum wage reaches $15 per hour, with future adjustments tied to inflation. This continues to spark debate between worker advocates praising the relief and business groups, mainly local restaurants, citing added payroll strain.

Michigan Maritime Strategy Release

Governor Gretchen Whitmer unveiled Michigan's first Michigan Maritime Strategy on January 27, 2026. A 10-year roadmap aimed at boosting the state's water-based economy through job creation, infrastructure upgrades, and innovation. The plan targets modernization of ports and intermodal connections, growth in maritime manufacturing, faster adoption of cleaner vessel technologies, workforce training, and sustainable development of harbors and marinas. Proponents highlight its potential to support the roughly 17,000 jobs tied to Michigan ports and the broader tourism sector, positioning the state to attract private investment without heavy new taxpayer burdens. A draft is open for public comments until February 27, 2026, via Michigan.gov/maritime, offering a chance for input before final adoption later this year.

Governor Whitmer’s Final State of the State Address

Governor Gretchen Whitmer will deliver her final State of the State address on February 25, 2026 in the Michigan House Chambers before a joint session of the Legislature. As she enters the last year of her term, the speech is expected to tout past bipartisan achievements while outlining a vision for job creation, cost reduction, record education and literacy investments, and more housing. Whitmer has framed her agenda around "strategic, fiscally responsible leadership" and cross-aisle cooperation, though with tightening state revenue projections and a divided government, critics worry about potential new spending pushes that could strain budgets amid economic headwinds like inflation and federal policy shifts. In a battleground state like Michigan, this legacy focused address will set the tone for Democrats heading into a pivotal midterm year, as Republicans eye opportunities to highlight fiscal restraint and alternative priorities for working families.

2026 Gubernatorial Race Developments

The 2026 Michigan governor's race is heating up with fresh fundraising numbers and early positioning as candidates build momentum ahead of spring filing deadlines and the August 4 primary. Democrat Jocelyn Benson leads the pack financially, raising nearly $995,000 in the final quarter of 2025, outpacing the field and entering the new year with about $3.6 million. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. John James remains the clear frontrunner, pulling in around $839,000 during the same period and rolling out a "Freedom Agenda" emphasizing government transparency, expanded FOIA access, and detailed financial disclosures for the governor's office. Independent Mike Duggan, former Detroit mayor, stays competitive, raising $644,000 in the quarter and positioning himself as a pragmatic alternative to partisan gridlock.

Polls continue to show a tight contest: Benson dominates her Democratic primary often 35-40+ points over challengers like Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, while James leads a crowded GOP field. Hypothetical general election matchups remain within the margin of error, with Duggan trailing but close enough to complicate things, especially amid economic concerns like inflation and rising costs that favor candidates promising fiscal restraint and real results for working Michiganders. Recent events, including a Michigan Education Association forum featuring Benson, Duggan, and others, highlight education as a key battleground. With filing deadlines approaching, keep an eye out on our candidates page for any new updates.

Gubernatorial Education Forum

Gubernatorial candidates gathered in Detroit on February 6, 2026, for an education-focused forum hosted by the Michigan Education Association (MEA), where Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D), former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan (I), former Attorney General Mike Cox (R), and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson (D) fielded questions from MEA members on priorities like school funding, early childhood education, and classroom policies. Notably absent were several other major contenders, including Republican frontrunner John James, highlighting a split in participation that some see as a missed opportunity for broader dialogue on returning Michigan schools to basics amid ongoing concerns about declining test scores and distractions like cell phones. Benson emphasized expanding weighted funding formulas and universal full-day early childhood programs, ideas that could mean more state spending, while Cox, drawing on his law-and-order background, stressed accountability, parental rights, and curbing what critics call excessive bureaucracy in education decisions. Duggan pushed practical reforms like tutoring and summer reading programs to boost literacy without ballooning budgets, and Swanson focused on community safety ties to schools. For working families, where public schools face real challenges with resources and outcomes, the forum underscored the need for candidates who prioritize fiscal responsibility, parental involvement, and proven results over expansive new mandates that could strain taxpayers. With education a perennial battleground issue, expect these themes to resurface as the race intensifies.

New State Superintendent Grilling

Michigan's new State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Glenn Maleyko, faced pointed questions from a GOP-led House Appropriations School Aid and Department of Education Subcommittee on February 3, 2026. Chaired by Rep. Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township), the session turned heated when Republicans pressed Maleyko on issues like student led protests, professional development training focused on making schools more "welcoming" to LGBTQ+ topics and students, and the emerging role of AI in the classroom. Maleyko emphasized his priorities of boosting literacy funding, balanced statewide assessments, and developing practical AI guidance for districts focusing on putting students first and improving core academic outcomes. For parents and taxpayers, where concerns about classroom focus, parental rights, and avoiding ideological overreach remain high, the grilling highlighted ongoing tensions between traditional education goals and progressive training mandates. Maleyko, who took office in late December 2025 after serving as a Dearborn superintendent, navigated the questions by stressing collaboration and student centered reforms, but the exchange underscored Republican scrutiny of how the Department of Education allocates resources and sets priorities amid Michigan's persistent academic challenges.

U.S. Senate Race Updates

The open U.S. Senate seat in Michigan remains one of the nation's premier toss-ups, with recent developments showing Republican Mike Rogers holding a clear cash and name advantage while the Democratic primary remains crowded. Fresh year-end fundraising reports reveal Rogers raised nearly $2 million in Q4 2025, entering the year with roughly $3.5 million and benefiting from a supportive super PAC with $6 million. This positions him strongly in the GOP primary, where he faces minimal opposition, allowing focus on the general election against economic concerns like inflation and federal policies that resonate with working-class voters.

On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens narrowly led Q4 fundraising at about $2.1 million, touting her as the strongest general election performer. However, a new Emerson College poll shows state Sen. Mallory McMorrow edging ahead in the primary with 22% support, though 38% of likely Democratic primary voters remain undecided ahead of the August 4 primary. Head to head general election hypotheticals favor Democrats slightly with Stevens leading Rogers 47%-42%, McMorrow 46%-43%, and El-Sayed ties at 43% each. Ratings from Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato's Crystal Ball continue to list the seat as a Toss-up, reflecting Michigan's battleground status in a cycle where fiscal restraint and real results for everyday families could tip the scales for Republicans. Expect more polling and endorsements as the field sharpens.

Voter ID and Proof-of-Citizenship Ballot Proposal

A high profile ballot initiative backed by Americans for Citizen Voting is advancing toward the November 3, 2026 ballot with organizers claiming they've collected more than enough valid signatures as of early February 2026 reports. The proposed constitutional amendment would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, mandate photo ID for in-person voting, direct the Secretary of State to verify citizenship statewide and purge non-citizens from voter rolls using government data, and create penalties for any violations. Supporters argue this commonsense measure closes loopholes, ensures only citizens vote, and protects election integrity. A similar but slightly less stringent proposal from the Committee to Protect Voters' Rights has also been cleared for signatures, though the Americans for Citizen Voting version has gained more traction and funding from groups emphasizing secure elections. Critics claim it could burden eligible voters needing hard to obtain documents, but with public support for voter ID often polling high nationwide, this could become a major 2026 issue increasing turnout and debate over election security.

Broader Affordability Ballot Initiatives

Amid rising concerns over everyday costs like groceries, housing, and energy in Michigan, at least two citizen-led ballot initiatives tied to affordability are actively gathering signatures in early 2026, with potential to appear on the November ballot. The most prominent is the Invest in MI Kids proposal, a constitutional amendment that would impose an additional 5% tax on individual taxable income over $500,000. This is estimated to bring in $1.5–$1.7 billion in annual revenue exclusively to the School Aid Fund for public K-12 education. As of late January 2026 reports, the campaign had collected around 160,000 signatures, out of the required 446,198, and is planning a major push in late February, arguing it addresses chronic school underfunding without broadly raising taxes on working families.

Critics, including business groups like the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, warn that the "fair share" label masks a job-killing tax hike that could hit small and mid-sized businesses, drive away investment, and push Michigan's top marginal income tax rate to among the nation's highest. A separate affordability linked effort focuses on broader cost of living relief, though details remain less defined. With state revenue projections showing slowdowns and budget pressures, these initiatives could become places of tension in the 2026 cycle, pitting calls for targeted school investments against arguments for fiscal restraint. Signature drives are ramping up, so expect more petitions coming soon.

Whitmer's New Blog and Democratic Recruitment Push

Governor Gretchen Whitmer launched a new Substack blog on February 2, 2026 titled "The Way Forward in 2026." In the blog she reflects on her 25 years in politics, emphasizes bipartisan, and outlines her national ambitions as vice chair of the Democratic Governors Association. In the initial post, Whitmer boasts that her team has already recruited nearly 4,000 individuals interested in running for office with candidate and staff trainings already held in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Virginia, and more planned throughout the year. She frames this as part of "big plans" to elect Democratic governors in 36 states and build a "strong bench" of candidates focused on "getting stuff done" amid what she calls national "chaos." For the people in Michigan, this is a clear example of Gov. Whitmer's attempts to set up a 2028 presidential run while neglecting her current duties as governor.