MIRS attempted to host a candidate forum for the competitive 12th state Senate race along the Lake Saint Clair shoreline, but did not get a response from the Republican challenger. 

Incumbent Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores) tells Republican John Goldwater that he's "ready to go, anytime, any place." Hertel also claims that this is the first time running against someone he still has never met (1:30). 

Over Guinness beer on Oct. 15 inside Kelly's Irish Pub in Downtown Lansing, MIRS editor and publisher Kyle Melinn speaks with Republican consultants John Yob and Stu Sandler. They discuss shifts in party bases and what has made 2026 unlike other competitive election years in Michigan (25:01). 

The official sponsor of this episode is the Michigan Association of Health Plans, your source for healthcare information: https://www.mahp.org/