The 2026 election cycle is over, followed by Democrats celebrating a "Blue Tsunami" of success nationally and throughout Michigan. MIRS sits down with state House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri of Canton, who was voted on by his caucus to be the 2027-28 House Speaker. 

Puri talks about what it was like to see Democrats flip the most state House seats since 1964. MIRS House reporter Somer Sodeman asks if legislative staff should be able to unionize, and if it's time to boost the base salary for lawmakers (5:23). 

Also, MIRS sits down with Royal Oak Democrat Amanda Treppa, a grassroots activist and former state Senate candidate; broadcast journalist Russ McNamara and Brian Szmytke, senior advisor to the Oakland County Republican Party. 

In a post-election roundtable, they discuss election night surprises, the state of inner-party relationships and what exactly does cost-lowering policy look like? (16:46). 

The official sponsor of this week's episode is Amrize Alpena. Learn more about them at https://alpena.amrize.com/