~ cueing up the show ~
~ pulling every episode ~
It's Just Politics — Every episode — OmList
om
list
Swipe
Tournament
Lists
Friends
All
Movies
TV
Books
Games
Music
Podcasts
People
▾
Sign in
Every episode
It's Just Politics
30 episodes
Primary turnout
Aug 12, 2026 · 12 min
More than 2.5 million Michiganders turned out to vote in last week’s primary. What can voter enthusiasm tell us about the November election? by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where do Dems go from here?
Aug 5, 2026 · 19 min
After a contentious battle in Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary, where does the party go from here? Plus, Tuesday’s election results. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Primary Election Preview
Jul 29, 2026 · 19 min
With one week before Michigan’s primary election, a look at where the open races for governor and U.S. Senate stand. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
U.S. Senate Candidate Abdul El-Sayed
Jul 23, 2026 · 19 min
We're in your feed again this week bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. Yesterday, we heard from U.S. Representative Haley Stevens. Note: Michigan Public reached out to former Congressman Mike Rogers, who is running on the Republican ticket. If he accepts an interview request, we’ll bring you that conversation as well. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener…
U.S. Senate Candidate Haley Stevens
Jul 22, 2026 · 19 min
This week on the podcast we're doing something different. We're bringing you interviews with both U.S. Senate candidates. Today, we have U.S. Representative Haley Stevens. Tomorrow, we'll hear from former Wayne County health official Abdul El-Sayed. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
2026. So far.
Jul 15, 2026 · 19 min
July 2026. We are now halfway through the year. On today’s It’s Just Politics, a look at the top three Michigan political stories of the year. So far. Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Stevens vs. El-Sayed
Jul 8, 2026 · 15 min
On the heels of Michigan Senator Mallory McMorrow’s decision to drop out of the U.S. Senate race, leading contenders in the Democratic primary, U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed met up in a televised debate last night that was Michiganders’ first look at how the candidates stack up directly against each other. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Support the show: http://michiganradio.or…
Budget deadline, budget frustration
Jul 1, 2026 · 19 min
It looks more and more likely that lawmakers and Governor Gretchen Whitmer will not pass a state budget by the July 1st statutory deadline. What comes next? by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Data center regulations
Jun 24, 2026 · 19 min
Michigan Senate Democrats propose new data center regulations. What would the bills do and could they actually become law? by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Budget deadline, budget doubts
Jun 17, 2026 · 19 min
The clock is ticking on Michigan's state budget, and there's growing skepticism lawmakers won’t meet the July 1 deadline. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Where the U.S. Senate race stands
Jun 10, 2026 · 19 min
A big union endorsement, millions in outside spending, and a three-way Democratic fight that's only getting tougher. Michigan's open U.S. Senate race is quickly becoming one of the country's most closely watched contests. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/lis…
Crafting a governor’s voice
Jun 3, 2026 · 19 min
Former speechwriter Chai Karve shares how he crafted speeches for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and why political speeches still matter in the digital age. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Michigan mood
May 27, 2026 · 19 min
New polling shows Governor Whitmer’s enduring popularity, deep voter frustration with the two-party system, and growing anxiety over inflation, jobs, and the state’s economic future heading into Election 2026. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/lis…
Inside the Michigan governor’s race
May 20, 2026 · 18 min
As Michigan’s race for governor heats up, candidates are finally taking part in forums, scheduling debates, and sharpening their campaign messages. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Charges in grant scandal
May 13, 2026 · 18 min
Criminal charges tied to a controversial $20 million state grant and renewed battles over petition signatures in Michigan’s governor’s race. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dems keep majority
May 6, 2026 · 18 min
In Michigan’s much-watched open 35th Senate district special election, Democrat Chedrick Greene wins the Mid-Michigan race as Dems hold onto their Senate majority. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A campaign roundup
Apr 15, 2026 · 19 min
Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin makes headlines with a visit to Iowa, big campaign funds boost Mike Rogers, and what’s up with John James gubernatorial campaign. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Is Lansing functional?
Apr 8, 2026 · 19 min
Calling the state capitol “one of the most dysfunctional places” in America, Democratic State Rep. Alabas Farhat joins the pod for a candid conversation about the challenges facing Lansing by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf…
35th Senate District race
Apr 1, 2026 · 10 min
We are two months away from the special election that will determine the functional make-up of the state Senate. The 35th Senate district election is an important race that has folks in Lansing wondering what comes next. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/list…
Duggan disruption
Mar 25, 2026 · 19 min
Can former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan win Michigan’s governor race as an independent? We break down his rise, Michigan’s swing voters, and the possible shake-up of two-party politics. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…
A Lansing roundup
Mar 18, 2026 · 18 min
A ballot proposal to tax the wealthy folds, Michigan’s “fake electors” threaten a lawsuit, and could future primary election dates change? It’s a Lansing roundup edition of It’s Just Politics. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/li…
High stakes for MI’s marijuana tax
Mar 11, 2026 · 18 min
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is pushing to repeal the state’s new, controversial 24% wholesale marijuana tax, even as the cannabis industry challenges it in court. An update on all things weed in Michigan. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener f…
Michigan’s perception gap
Mar 4, 2026 · 21 min
A new Michigan poll reveals where voters stand on data centers, the 2026 governor’s race, and how the state compares nationally on key economic measures. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
State of the state’s budget
Feb 25, 2026 · 18 min
What’s in the proof-of-citizenship and voter ID ballot proposal, and what is the state of the state budget as Governor Whitmer prepares for her final State of the State address. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michigan’s ballot proposals
Feb 18, 2026 · 19 min
An inside look at the proposals aiming for Michigan’s November ballot - from property taxes and school funding to voter ID and minimum wage - and where the campaigns stand now. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Classroom cellphone ban
Feb 11, 2026 · 19 min
Michigan bans smartphones in classrooms starting next school year - what the new bipartisan law does and doesn’t do. Plus, Perry Johnson on entering the GOP primary for governor, Trump, and his pitch to voters. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat
Feb 4, 2026 · 18 min
Michigan’s U.S. Senate race draws national attention as Democrats face a competitive primary and a key state Senate race in the 35th District could have big consequences in Lansing. Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Michigan media shakeup and a swing Senate seat
Jan 28, 2026 · 19 min
What the surprising Detroit News deal means for Michigan journalism. Plus a breakdown of the high-stakes 35th Senate District special election. Plus, voters head into a pivotal 35th Senate District race. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…
Inside the House: Matt Hall on a high-stakes year
Jan 21, 2026 · 18 min
Michigan Republican Speaker of the House Matt Hall discusses his 2026 policy priorities, independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan and support for a Constitutional Convention. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Inside the senate: Winnie Brinks on a high-stakes year
Jan 14, 2026 · 18 min
Politics in Michigan just got more interesting as Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist changes statewide races. Plus a conversation with the Michigan Senate Majority Leader on what can actually get done this year in Lansing with divided government. by Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta Want to get political updates from Zoe and Rick straight to your inbox? Sign up for the It's Just Politics newsletter! Want to support more work like this? Donate now! Support the show: http://michiganradio.…
← Back to the show
