Republicans continue to prove how out of touch they are with Michiganders while Democrats plan for the future
LANSING—This week, the GOP primary debate highlighted the extremism inside the Republican Party, with each candidate showing just how out of touch they are with the real needs of Americans by pushing conspiracy theories and culture wars over actual plans. Instead of following them down the rabbit hole, Michigan Democrats prepared for the fall legislative session which is sure to be chock-full of more initiatives to uplift the middle class and put money back in the pockets of Michigan families.
No matter how chaotic the GOP becomes, Michigan Democrats are focused on building a brighter future for our state every week, month, and year. Make no mistake, the MDP doesn’t take days off from working to deliver for Michiganders.
Check out some key takeaways from the Michigan Democratic Party as we continued to hold Republicans accountable this week:
Michigan Dems Chair Barnes hit the Republicans hard the morning after the debates, emphasizing that there was only one winner on Wednesday night – Joe Biden:
WDET: Detroit Today with Lavora Barnes
On the other side of the aisle, it’s clear that the Michigan GOP being run by MAGA extremists is coming back to bite them. Chair Barnes joined the growing number of bipartisan voices calling out the flailing opposition in this Mother Jones piece:
Mother Jones: Radicals Took Over the Michigan GOP. Now They Can’t Stop Losing
- The Michigan GOP ended up having its worst performance in decades. DePerno, Dixon, and Karamo lost by 9, 11, and 14 points, respectively. Democrats took back the state House for the first time in more than a decade and gained control of the state Senate for the first time since 1983. On top of that, Trump-backed congressional candidate John Gibbs lost his bid for a seat by 13 points after successfully primarying freshman GOP Rep. Peter Meijer, who had voted to impeach Trump and belongs to one of Michigan’s wealthiest families.
- “I think the actual structure of the Michigan Republican Party needs to burn to the ground for a couple of cycles,” says a former GOP official.
- Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes finds herself in the unusual position of worrying that the opposition will be seen as so “dysfunctional and crazy” that her own side gets complacent.
- [Chair Barnes] stresses that conservative donors will find ways to work and fundraise around their own state party—something that moderate Republican operatives are quick to say as well. There are PACs, super-PACs, and many other places to which the DeVos family and its allies can funnel money. But none of the alternatives can fully replicate a state party, particularly the field operation that will be responsible for turning out voters in 2024.
Despite the rapidly imploding Michigan GOP, Michigan Democrats are continuing to connect with voters on the ground. On Wednesday, Michigan Dems contrasted Republicans’ radical agenda with a virtual organizing event featuring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, state Sen. Darrin Camilleri, and Dr. Farhan Bhatti focusing on Democrat’s success in lowering healthcare costs.
Looking ahead for the MDP, next week Gov. Whitmer and Democrats in the legislature will be laying out their plan to continue lowering costs when the legislature returns this fall – because we are not done delivering:
Midland Daily News: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to give ‘What’s Next’ address with fall priorities Aug. 30
- “I am eager to discuss how we can continue lowering costs, growing our economy and helping anyone ‘make it’ in Michigan. I look forward to working closely with my partners in the legislature to build a brighter future for Michigan. Let’s get it done.” – Governor Whitmer
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