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Michigan GOP 2026 Governor Candidates Say ‘Cut It All’ at 1st Debate

This article breaks down what each candidate said—question by question—and what their approaches could mean for Michigan’s policy direction.

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On October 29, 2025, GOP gubernatorial hopefuls gathered in Sparta to outline bold visions for Michigan’s future—eliminating the income and property taxes, dismantling programs like MEDC and SOAR, expanding school choice, and scaling back state regulations.

These sweeping proposals drew applause, but they raise important questions. Property and income taxes fund Michigan’s public schools—so if those go away, where will that money come from? Likewise, regulations protect residents from environmental hazards such as PFAS contamination—so if those safeguards are rolled back, what replaces them to ensure accountability and public health?

At Michigan Women, we go beyond surface-level talking points. This article breaks down each candidate’s responses and provides context behind every major topic—from population decline and early literacy to housing, unions, and economic development—so voters can better understand not just what was said, but how these ideas could realistically shape Michigan’s future.

Table of Contents

Question Overview

Main Debate Questions
  1. Population Decline: How would you grow Michigan's Population?
  2. Elementary Reading Trajectory: Fourth graders in the state of Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on National tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?
  3. Unions and Right To Work: How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?
  4. Housing: The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?
  5. SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy): The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.
  6. Economic Development Policy: If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current Administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with so that people at home can say Hey, this governorship is a lot different than the mom we just had.
Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Do you support ending Michigan's income tax over time, yes or no, and if so, in what time frame?
  2. National Guard: Would you deploy the National Guard to protect the Southern border if asked by a coalition of states?
  3. Ban Chinese Business: Would you support a ban on Chinese-owned entities purchasing Michigan Farmland, critical infrastructure or just a ban on doing business with the Chinese-owned entities? 
  4. Emergency Powers: Do you believe the governor should have emergency powers beyond 30 days without legislative approval?

Candidate Responses

Main Debate Question Overview

Question 1: Michigan's Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's Population?
Population Data
  • 10th most populous state in the United States
  • 10,140,459 in 2024
  • Michigan’s population growth has stalled:
    • The state ranks 49th out of 50 in population growth
    • Educational outcomes and attainment are weak (e.g., fewer than one-third of students are proficient in 4th or 8th grade reading or math).
    • Infrastructure, community amenities, talent retention/attraction, and economic growth are all underperforming vs peer states.

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Why is Michigan's population declining?

When you strip away the layers — population loss, cost-of-living complaints, education gaps, even infrastructure — it all ties back to economic opportunity. People leave (or don’t come) because they don’t see enough good jobs with growth potential, or they don’t believe the future will be better here than somewhere else.

Here’s how that plays out in Michigan:

  • 1. Wage stagnation vs. national trends: Michigan’s median household income has lagged the U.S. average since the early 2000s. After the auto industry collapse and the Great Recession, wages recovered slowly, while other states surged ahead, especially in high-tech and professional sectors.
  • 2. Limited high-growth industries: States that attract people — like Texas, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee — have diversified economies with booming job creation in tech, health care, logistics, and advanced manufacturing. Michigan’s economy, while solid in automotive and manufacturing, hasn’t added enough net new growth industries to absorb talent and inspire young professionals to stay.
  • 3. Brain drain and young-talent flight: College graduates consistently leave for metros with more dynamic economies and higher wage ceilings. Michigan produces educated workers, but many move away before building families and roots — which slows long-term population and community growth.
  • 4. Business climate perception: The narrative that Michigan’s economy is “old-industry, slow-growth, and regulation-heavy” lingers. Even if improving, perception drives relocation decisions as much as data.
  • 5. Opportunity-cost migration: When people leave for “lower cost” states, it’s often because they see better pay and lower taxes. So the real motivator isn’t the cost of living alone, it’s the cost-to-opportunity ratio.

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What's the current plan to combat the population decline?
Michigan Growth Office
  • Growing Michigan Together Council
  • Established by Whitmer in June 2023
  • Growing Michigan Together Council Final Report (Dec 2023)
    • Michigan’s goal is to become a top-10 state for population growth by 2050 by revitalizing its economy, education, and communities.
    • Economic Growth & Innovation – Position Michigan as the Midwest’s innovation hub, focusing on high-wage, high-
    • . Support entrepreneurship, talent retention, and business scale-up.
    • Education & Skills – Create a lifelong learning system that prepares residents for future-ready jobs through stronger K-12 outcomes, affordable college pathways, and workforce retraining.
    • Thriving Communities – Invest in infrastructure, housing, and transit to make Michigan’s cities and regions attractive to young professionals and families.
    • The plan calls for public-private collaboration to align education, industry, and community development, ensuring sustainable, inclusive growth statewide.

Key Actions Being Taken in Michigan

  • The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is executing a strategy called “Make It in Michigan,” which focuses on investing in people, revitalizing places/communities and competing for projects (business relocations or expansions). MEDC+1

  • To attract and retain talent (which businesses need), the state has a grant program — “Regional Capacity Building for Talent Attraction and Retention” — which helps regional/local organizations build infrastructure to bring in/out-of-state workers and match them to jobs. MEDC

  • Incentives and business-attraction/retention tools: For example, the Economic Development Leaders for Michigan (EDLM) list includes maintaining a $100 million Business Development Program, performance-based tax incentives, and a $50 million “Regional Strategic Site Readiness Program” to make investment-ready sites across Michigan. DEGC+1

  • Place-based development: Programs like the “Revitalization & Placemaking (RAP)” and the “Community Revitalization Program (MCRP)” are geared toward improving infrastructure, housing, and quality of life in communities — things that help attract both people and businesses. DEGC+1

  • Small business & support: Michigan offers programs like the “Match on Main” grants for downtown businesses, as well as other capital access and innovation/entrepreneur supports, which make the ecosystem more attractive.

What progress has been made to solve Michigan's population decline?
  • New investments announced: Over $27.8 billion in projects and roughly 26,000 jobs supported under federal and state initiatives since 2023.
  • Major programs launched: The Michigan Growth Office was established to coordinate population and economic development efforts; the SOAR Fund has committed nearly $1 billion to attract advanced manufacturing, EV, and clean-energy projects.
  • Infrastructure & community development: More than $220 million invested in housing, transit, and placemaking projects statewide to make communities more livable and business-ready.
  • Talent initiatives: Regional grants are funding workforce and talent-retention programs to help employers fill skilled positions.
  • Business attraction results: Hundreds of projects announced across Michigan, but watchdog reports note that only about one-fifth of the promised jobs have been verified so far—showing progress, but slower than planned.
  • Ongoing priorities: Improve accountability and follow-through on incentive programs, continue diversifying industries beyond automotive, and strengthen partnerships among state, business, and education sectors.

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Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in the state of Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on National tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?
Data about Michigan's 4th Grade Reading Levels
  • In the 2024 results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Michigan’s average score for 4th-grade reading was 209, compared to the national average of 214. (Source)
  • Regarding proficiency, only about 24% of Michigan fourth-graders scored at or above the NAEP “proficient” level in reading in 2024, compared to approximately 30% nationally. (Source)
  • A report cited Michigan ranked 44th out of states in fourth-grade reading. (Source)

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Why is Michigan among the lowest performers?
  • Inconsistent and non-evidence-based reading instruction: Many Michigan classrooms still use curricula that are “unrated or do not meet expectations,” meaning students may not be receiving high-quality, research-based literacy instruction. (Source)
  • Large gaps in reading achievement tied to economics and race: Economically disadvantaged and minority students in Michigan are substantially behind their peers in reading achievement, contributing to the overall low state performance. (Source)
  • Learning loss from the pandemic and slow recovery: Michigan’s 4th-grade readers showed little recovery from the disruptions of COVID-19 school closures, leaving many behind. (Source)
  • High levels of chronic absenteeism and unstable attendance: Absenteeism rates remain elevated in Michigan schools, correlating with lower reading outcomes. (Source)
  • Curriculum selection and instructional approach variability: Across districts, the choice and quality of reading programs vary widely, so students’ literacy experiences differ greatly. (Source)
  • Reading for pleasure and deep print reading are declining as digital media use and habits change: A meta-analysis showed that digital reading improves comprehension far less (about six to seven times less) than print reading for children aged 6-18. (Source)
  • A large majority of teachers believe social media is harming children’s willingness to read for fun—89 % said social media negatively impacts children’s reading habits, and 84 % said it affects their willingness to read for pleasure. (Source)

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What's currently being done to solve the reading problem?
  • The Legislature passed two major laws — Public Act 146 of 2024 and Public Act 147 of 2024 — which embed the “science of reading” and structured literacy into Michigan law, especially around dyslexia screening, teacher preparation, and reading interventions. (Source)
    • Under these laws, schools must screen for characteristics of dyslexia, starting in early grades (K-3) and for older students as needed, and must offer interventions based on structured literacy approaches. (Source)
    • Teacher preparation programs are required to include training on dyslexia, structured literacy, and the science of reading. Schools and districts must use evidence-based curricula and materials that are aligned with these frameworks. (Source)
  • The legislation also mandates that the Michigan Department of Education publish a list of approved Tier 1 (whole-class) reading curricula aligned with the science of reading by January 1, 2026. (Source)
  • The “Read by Grade Three Law” (MCL 380.1280f) continues to set standards that schools must identify and intervene for students in K-3 with reading deficiencies — including requirements for reading improvement plans, home-reading supports and monitoring. (Source)
  • However, the Michigan Department of Education reported in June 2025 that the Legislature’s budget approved at that time did not include dedicated new funding specifically for early literacy improvements — signaling that full implementation still depends on resources. (Source)

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What progress has been made?
  • Despite efforts and new legislation aimed at reading improvement, Michigan hasn’t made measurable upward movement in 4th-grade reading scores according to NAEP and state data. (Source)
  • The state’s reading ranking remains low: Michigan ranked 44th among states for 4th-grade reading in the 2024 NAEP. (Source)
  • The fact that benchmark assessments show “little change” suggests that while interventions may be rolling out, they haven’t yet achieved large-scale impact.
  • Even though overall reading progress is limited, one item worth noting: the state’s recent legislation and policy efforts (e.g., screening, structured literacy mandates) are in place, and the state itself acknowledges more work is needed. For example, the state press release noted that 4th-grade reading and 8th-grade reading both declined slightly, and that “none of the changes were statistically significant.” (Source)

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Question 3: Unions and Right To Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?
Recent data about Michigan's labor unions
  • In 2024, 13.4% of Michigan’s wage-and-salary workers were union members, up from 12.8% in 2023. (Source)
  • Michigan had about 581,000 union members in 2024. (Source)
  • Michigan’s 2024 union membership rate (13.4%) was above the U.S. average of 9.9%. (Source)
  • Membership increased by roughly 17,000 in 2024 but remains below pre-pandemic and long-term historical levels. (Source)
  • Historically, Michigan’s unionization rate was much higher—about 26% in 1989. (Source)
  • There are approximately 1,734 labor unions operating in Michigan, reporting billions in assets and hundreds of millions in annual revenue. (Source)

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Recent Data about Right to Work
  • Definition: A right-to-work state is one where employees cannot be required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. (Source)
  • These laws make union membership and fee payment voluntary, even in workplaces covered by union contracts. (Source)
  • Right-to-work laws were designed to give workers freedom of choice but often reduce union bargaining power and lower overall union membership. (Source)
  • Michigan adopted right-to-work legislation in 2012 under a Republican-led government, making union membership optional. (Source)
  • In 2023, Michigan lawmakers passed Senate Bill 34 to repeal the right-to-work law, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed it into law. The repeal took effect in February 2024. (Source)
  • Supporters of the repeal said right-to-work weakened unions, lowered wages, and contributed to income inequality, while restoring collective bargaining would strengthen worker protections. (Source)
  • Opponents argued that repealing right-to-work could make Michigan less attractive to businesses and hinder economic competitiveness. (Source)
  • The change reflected a political shift after Democrats gained control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office in 2022 — the first time in nearly 40 years. (Source)

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Impact of Right to Work from 2013 to 2024
  • Michigan’s right-to-work law was in effect from 2013 (signed Dec 11, 2012) until it was repealed with an effective date in Feb 2024, framing a 12-year window to assess impacts. (Source)
  • Union membership declined substantially during this period—about 140,000 fewer Michiganders were union members by 2022 than in 2012. (Source)
  • Overall unionization fell from roughly 16.6% in 2012 to about 13.3% by 2021 (all sectors), indicating a notable drop in union density. (Source)
  • Private-sector unionization also slipped over the period, from about 11.3% in 2012 to 9.1% in 2021. (Source)
  • Analyses of wages, jobs, and investment during the right-to-work era describe the broader economic impact as “murky,” with no clear evidence of faster wage growth or job creation attributable to the law. (Source) (Source)
  • Research from labor-economics groups links right-to-work policies to lower wages/benefits and rising inequality, a key argument used by repeal supporters. (Source)
  • Business advocates contended right-to-work improved competitiveness, but post-2012 outcomes in Michigan remained mixed relative to peers, reinforcing the view that clear gains were hard to isolate. (Source)

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Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?
Quick Snapshot (Statewide)
  • Average rent across Michigan is roughly $1,400/month as of late 2025, and renters’ cost burdens remain high. (Source)
  • About 49% of Southeast Michigan renters pay 30%+ of income on housing, with ~26.7% severely burdened (50%+ of income). (Source)
  • The statewide median home sale price was about $284,600 in September 2025 (up ~7.5% YoY). (Source)
  • To afford a modest two-bedroom at fair-market rent (~$1,272/mo), a full-time worker in Michigan needs about $24.46/hour (well above the state minimum wage). (Source)
  • New listings have been trending lower, reinforcing tight supply conditions. (Source)

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Why Housing Costs Have Climbed
  • Supply constraints: Fewer homes for sale and slower new listings keep inventory tight and prices elevated. (Source)
  • Demand outpacing incomes: Rents and home prices have risen faster than wages for many households, widening affordability gaps. (Source)
  • Financing & construction costs: Higher mortgage rates and rising building/land costs increase monthly payments and new-build prices. (Source)
  • Regional shifts: Select Michigan cities have seen rapid multi-year value gains as migration and investment concentrate demand. (Source)

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Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.
  • What is SOAR: The Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) was Michigan’s flagship economic development fund designed to offer large, performance-based incentives and site-readiness support through the Critical Industry Program (CIP) and the Strategic Site Readiness Program (SSRP). Established in December 2021 by bipartisan legislation under the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, SOAR provided quick access to cash grants and site development funds to attract EV, semiconductor, and other “transformational” industries.(Source) (Source)(Source) (Source)
  • Rebranding and Expansion: In 2023–2024, the Whitmer administration proposed rebranding SOAR as the “Make It In Michigan” Fund, adding the Michigan 360 component to invest in housing, childcare, and infrastructure near project sites to demonstrate broader community benefits. (Source) (Source)
  • Results and Controversy: Supporters credit SOAR with securing major EV and battery projects, arguing the fund kept Michigan in national site-selection races. Critics highlight delays, downsized facilities, and job shortfalls compared to projections. (Source) (Source)
  • ROI Debate: Watchdog groups and legislators across parties questioned SOAR’s return on investment, citing state reports showing few verified jobs despite hundreds of millions spent. These concerns led to bipartisan demands for stricter reporting and audits. (Source) (Source)
  • Defunding and Policy Shift: In October 2025, lawmakers removed SOAR funding from the FY 2026 budget amid controversies over projects like Gotion and Ford battery plants. The move reflected a growing consensus that Michigan’s incentive strategy needed a complete overhaul. (Source) (Source)
  • Next Steps: House Speaker Matt Hall and Governor Whitmer are collaborating on a replacement strategy that ends large cash incentives and focuses on measurable community and workforce impacts. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) continues to operate its “Make It In Michigan” strategy and other programs under the Michigan Strategic Fund while new legislation is developed. (Source) (Source)

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What the State is Doing to Improve the Housing Climate
  • Whitmer issued an executive directive (Oct 2025) tasking MSHDA to expand access and awareness of affordable-housing programs, with a focus on younger Michiganders. (Source)
  • Michigan reports reaching its initial goal to build or rehab 75,000 units ahead of schedule and raised the target to 115,000 units. (Source)
  • In Sept 2025, the administration announced $220M+ in investments statewide tied to housing and community projects (including new units in Bay City). (Source)
  • Renter protections (Jan 2025): New laws ban discrimination based on lawful income source for veterans, seniors, and housing-assistance recipients. (Source)
  • Local leaders proposed $800M over five years for ~10,000 homes plus zoning reforms to boost supply, complementing state efforts. (Source)
  • MSHDA operates a statewide Housing Data Portal to guide policy and investments with transparent, region-level data. (Source)

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Progress so Far (and What to Watch)
  • The state’s 75,000-unit goal met ahead of schedule is a notable milestone; watch how quickly the pipeline scales toward 115,000 units. (Source)
  • Track cost-burden rates for renters (30%+/50%+) across regions to see if new investments bend the curve. (Source)
  • Monitor new listings/inventory and statewide rent/price trends to gauge whether affordability pressures are easing. (Source) (Source) (Source)

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Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current Administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with?
  • Michigan Business Development Program (MBDP) — performance-based grants/loans to support projects that create jobs and capital investment; approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF). (Source) (Source)
  • Michigan Community Revitalization Program (MCRP) — gap financing (grants/loans) for projects on contaminated, blighted, functionally obsolete, or historic properties to spur redevelopment. (Source) (Source)
  • Revitalization and Placemaking (RAP) — competitive grants for place-based infrastructure, real-estate rehab/development, and public-space improvements; includes RAP 2.0/3.0 rounds. (Source) (Source) (Source)
  • Match on Main — small-business reimbursement grants (generally up to ~$25,000) delivered via local downtown/ economic-development entities to launch or expand place-based businesses. (Source) (Source)
  • Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) — community certification and technical assistance to streamline planning, zoning, and development processes and become “development-ready.” (Source) (Source)
  • Michigan Main Street (MMS) — Main Street Approach for downtown revitalization using historic-preservation-based economic development and long-term district management. (Source) (Source)
  • Capital Access Program (CAP) — MEDC works through lenders to expand small-business financing; includes collateral support, loan participation, and other debt tools (often via SSBCI). (Source) (Source) (Source)
  • International Trade (MI-STEP) — export assistance, including reimbursements (typically 50% up to set caps) and support via International Trade Centers to help firms enter global markets. (Source) (Source)
  • SmartZones/tech-based entrepreneurship — designated tech hubs and accelerators that connect startups with university research, mentors, and services; statewide network managed with MEDC. (Source) (Source)
  • Transformational Brownfield Plans (TBP) — MSF tool under Act 381, allowing capture of certain state/local taxes for large mixed-use projects with “transformational” economic impact. (Source) (Source)

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Fast Round Questions

  1. Do you support ending Michigan's income tax over time?
  2. Would you deploy the National Guard to protect the Southern border if asked by a coalition of states?
  3. Do you support constitutional carry and expanding the 2nd Amendment protections here in Michigan?
  4. Would you support a ban on Chinese-owned entities purchasing Michigan Farmland, critical infrastructure or just a ban on doing business with the Chinese-owned entities?
  5. Do you believe the governor should have emergency powers beyond 30 days without legislative approval?

Candidate Responses

Aric Nesbitt

candidate-governor-aric-nesbitt-322x322px

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Missed

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on national tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?

  • School of choice
  • Only two sexes
  • Get rid of DEI
  • Bring back trades

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Reduce regulations
  • Focus on increasing the trades
  • Export criminal illegal aliens

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out?

  • Oppose "corporate welfare"
  • Answer phone calls
  • Eliminate MEDC

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with?

  • Sign President Trump's School of Choice tax credit.
  • Bring state workers back to the office.
  • Go line by line through permitting and regulations, and throw out thousands.
Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Yes,
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Yes
  5. Expand emergency powers beyond 30 days: No

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Mike Cox

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Education
    • School of choice, phonics-based reading
    • Model Mississippi
    • Improve education quality (How?)
  • Economy
    • Eliminate state income tax
    • Model TX, TN, FL

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes
  • Maintain a Union's right to organize

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Eliminate regulations
  • Eliminate income tax

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.

  • End paying companies to build here
  • Eliminate income tax
  • Improve education

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with so that people at home can say, “Hey, this governorship is a lot different than the one we just had.”

  • Sign President Trump's School of Choice tax credit.
  • Return state workers to the office
  • Eliminate DEI
  • Eliminate regulations
Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Yes
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Yes
  5. Expand emergency powers beyond 30 days: No

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Karla Wagner

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Create a new budget that cuts spending and eliminates property taxes.
  • Model TN, GA, potentially FL

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on national tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?

  • Major overhaul of the Michigan Education Association
  • Don't advance kids past 4th grade if they can't read proficiently.
  • Grade teachers
  • Grade students
  • Make it easier to homeschool and send to Christian schools

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes
  • Eliminate unions ("I would like to see Unions go away.")

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Reduce regulations
  • Focus on zoning and permitting in townships and counties
  • Eliminate property tax
  • Eliminate or reform EGLE

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.

  • Eliminate MEDC
  • Property tax abatement
  • Give subsidies to Michigan companies vs. companies from other states and countries

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with?

  • Eliminate property tax
  • Cut the budget
  • Part-time legislation
  • Moratorium on bills and spending until we can "figure it out."
Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: No (Focus on property tax elimination)
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Don't sell them land, but let them lease
  5. Emergency Powers: Not explicitly addressed in transcript.

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Ralph Rebrandt

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Create affordable housing
  • Eliminate property tax
  • Education freedom, parental rights
  • Promote and build Judeo-Christian values

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on national tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?

  • Focus on homeschools and Christian schools.
  • No sex ed
  • Encourage Hooked on Phonics

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes
  • See's value in Unions to some degree
  • Shrink the Teacher's Union ("I think the Teacher's Union is way too big.")
  • Dismantle and rebuild the Board of Education,
  • repeal the prevailing wage (ends requirements to pay union-scale wages and benefits on public works projects)

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Eliminate property taxes

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.

  • Eliminate MEDC
  • Prosecute people who misuse money.

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with so that people at home can say, “Hey, this governorship is a lot different than the one we just had.”

Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Yes
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Yes
  5. Expand emergency powers beyond 30 days: No

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Anthony Hudson

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Eliminate property taxes (How)
  • Model FL, TX, TN
  • Eliminate state income tax (How)

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on national tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?

  • Merge all school districts into 1 per county.
  • Change curriculum ("No more indoctrinating our kids.")
  • Change teacher pay based on "merit and production."
  • DEI has got to DIE
  • Smaller classrooms (1 teacher, 15 students)

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes
  • Maintain a Union's right to organize
  • Unions are too Democratic

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Eliminate property taxes
  • Stop price gauging from Menards and Home Depot
  • Eliminate no-fault care insurance

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.

  • Stop fronting money to businesses, get production first
  • Improve accountability
  • Improve transparency

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with so that people at home can say, “Hey, this governorship is a lot different than the one we just had.”

  • Eliminate MEDC
  • Eliminate EGLE
  • Reduce the Secretary of State by 28%
  • Make Ted Nugent Director of DNR
Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Yes
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes / Day 1 agenda
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Yes
  5. Expand emergency powers beyond 30 days: No

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Tom Leonard

Question 1: Population Decline

How would you grow Michigan's population?

  • Go back to Right to Work
  • Eliminate income tax
  • Address the reading crisis

Question 2: Elementary Reading Trajectory

Fourth graders in Michigan are among the lowest performers in the country on national tests. What policies should Michigan implement to change this trajectory?

  • Model MS
  • Early literacy assessments (K–3)
  • Targeted intervention/tutoring for struggling readers
  • Don't advance kids past 4th grade if they can't read proficiently
  • Merit pay
  • Increase teachers' pay (Michigan should have the highest teacher pay)
  • Preserve school of choice and homeschooling
  • Go to jail if a school transitions anybody's child without their knowledge."

Question 3: Unions and Right-to-Work

How do you feel about organized labor unions, and do you support the right-to-work law?

  • Support the Right to Work law? Yes
  • Maintain a Union's right to organize

Question 4: Housing

The cost of housing used to be low here in Michigan. It's now one of the most expensive states in the country for rent, mortgages, and the cost of a home. Is there anything you would do as Governor to bring that down?

  • Licensure reciprocity (if you are licensed in another state, you can be licensed here)
  • Regulatory reform

Question 5: SOAR (Strategic Outreach for a Stronger Economy)

The state offers hundreds of millions of dollars up front and then helps the company meet future targets. As Governor, would you require automatic clawbacks, escrow, or performance bonds before a check goes out? Spell out what protections taxpayers are getting under you that they're not getting now.

  • The State should never pay companies up front
  • Act as a customer service center for businesses

Question 6: Economic Development Policy

If you were to compare your first 100 days as Governor to the current administration of Gretchen Whitmer, what specific economic development policy would you end on day one? What would you keep and what would you replace it with so that people at home can say, ‘Hey, this governorship is a lot different than the one we just had.’

Fast Round Questions
  1. End Income Tax: Yes (Phased out)
  2. Deploy National Guard to the southern border if asked by a coalition of states: Yes
  3. Constitutional carry/expand 2nd Amendment protections: Yes
  4. Ban on doing business with Chinese-owned entities: Yes
  5. Expand emergency powers beyond 30 days: No

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Sources

Event Brochure: MI GOP Debate, Apple Valley Events, 2124 12 Mile Rd., Sparta, MI 49345, October 29, 2026

Michigan Republican governor hopefuls target MEDC, John James in first debate