Pundit Monday: A Look At Lt. Governor Names, Potential Spoilers, Attacks On El-Sayed

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/10/2026) The first MIRS Pundit Monday after the primary election has four Michigan pundits answering the questions front of mind now about who makes the most sense as picks for gubernatorial running mates, among other questions.

The first question was regarding the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson, and the qualities her pick might have, or even who was on people's minds.

Q: Who makes the most sense as a lieutenant governor for Jocelyn Benson?

Republican Pundit Anne DeLisle said she hasn't really come across any names for Benson's running mate.

"It's kind of funny. People are talking about James's running mate, but nobody's talking about Benson's, and I find that really interesting. I haven't come across it, but I haven't seen anything out there about speculation for who she's going to choose," DeLisle said.

She said someone from the Legislature that can work across the aisle would be the best pick for her.

"I think someone who's got a reputation for working with others, like maybe Joe Tate (D-Detroit). I know that might not be a popular opinion, but I think that he is respected in Lansing."

She also threw out Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing), who she said worked with Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar).

"Someone who has not demonstrated that ability would be like Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). She and Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) are just the two of them stonewalling. Then when we think we've got a deal, and they break it. So someone who's a moderate Dem would be wise."

Former Oakland County Democratic Party Vice President Rick Blocker said Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) was one of the first people to come to his mind.

"She was able to win a state Senate seat in a pretty mixed area up there in Lansing, and I think even though our Secretary of State did a great job with the percentages, there are still some questions that need to be addressed as far as people who were working for her and left under tough circumstances," Blocker said.

He said these attacks were already being brought up, and he believes that Anthony would help her.

The second name he mentioned was former Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich.

"I think he pulls a certain group or responds to a certain group that she needs. I know Garlin Gilchrist II is on the ticket, so that helps also that Garlin is well respected in the Black community," he said.

Blocker also brought up actor Hill Harper, who Blocker said he worked with during his campaign for U.S. Senate in 2024.

"He won Detroit in the senatorial election. I think he's in high regard in the area," he said.

The last name he mentioned was Brinks.

Republican Strategist Jason Cabel Roe said Benson would most likely benefit from a Black running mate.

"I think there are real opportunities for Republicans in the Black community, and I think they're getting a little bit tired of the Democrats sending white women to save them. Sarah Anthony is someone whose name has to be mentioned, but I don't know how effective an all-female ticket would be," Roe said.

He said someone from the northern part of the state could help Benson out, because she struggles with upstate voters.

"Who would fit these bills? I don't know. Sarah's name is really the only one that's popped up, and I think amongst the Black Legislators," he said.

He said Anthony would also benefit Benson because the gubernatorial candidate hasn't worked with or in the Legislature.

"I think she's going to need somebody that has that kind of experience to help her navigate the Byzantine culture," Roe said.

Michigan Democratic Party Rural Party Vice Chair Dixon Dudderar said whoever Benson picks should advocate, as Benson has, for real transparency in Michigan government. So far, the Democrats have not walked the talk when it comes to this mess.”

Q: Who makes the most sense as a lieutenant governor for John James (R-Shelby Township)?

Blocker: "I think it would be somebody out-state who could appeal to a different group. I mean it would be really unfair to even throw out anything. I don't really follow the Republicans."

Roe: "I like Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton). One, he's very well respected, I think, by Republicans and Democrats, and is an effective legislator. He also comes from the west part of the state, so I think that would be helpful.

"In terms of demographic advantages, a female, someone like Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), or someone from local government like Valerie Knol from Farmington Hills City Council."

Dudderar: "Since John James is someone who parrots election conspiracy theories, and the Trumpian big lie that the 2020 elections were 'stolen,' my advice to Mr. James is to pick the most un-MAGA person possible to help him balance his ticket and steer it out of lunacy left field."

DeLisle: "I do think Lana Theis (R-Brighton). What I like about Lana is that she is able to work with people across the aisle. She's demonstrated that during her years in Lansing, but she also has a lot of institutional knowledge about how the Legislature works, the inner workings of Lansing, and things of that nature, which I think could be very helpful to someone who's coming from the Congressional side."

Q: Does Libertarian gubernatorial nominee Anthony Hudson act as a spoiler for John James?

Roe: "I think he's definitely going to steal some votes from the Republican ticket. I could see anywhere from 3% to 6%. Not all of those are necessarily going to be Republican votes, but I’d expect two-thirds. In a race that's going to be very competitive and likely very close, that is not an insignificant loss of votes, and it's unfortunate that he's putting Republicans and conservatives in this position. He's clearly sour grapes for his run as a Republican. He has zero chance as a Libertarian. So at the end of the day, all he's doing is screwing up opportunities for conservatives to lead the state."

Dudderar: "I have no clue. Hudson will likely hurt James who, the record shows, has a record of electability issues as it is."

DeLisle: "It's possible, but I think the people who are never going to support John James, they're going to vote for somebody else regardless. I don't think that he's going to take so many people away, because at the end of the day, I think that in the activist world, whether you're in the Democrat Party or you're in the Republican Party, the hardcore activist world is only going to affect the general election by a couple percentage points, like maybe one percentage point, as we saw with Mike Rogers in 24.

"It is going to have to be a 50-50 race in order for it to get to that point, and, as a party person, I think John's going to do better than that."

Blocker: "I don't think anybody that Trump is not endorsing will. I don't see it."

Q: What are attacks against Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed that are not "communism" or Islamophobic?

Dudderar: "I haven’t seen any other lines of attack.

"We've seen the 'Red Scare' talk before, and how that blew up in disgraced 'tail gunner' Joe McCarthy's face. Let's hope Americans know their U.S. history when it comes to red-baiting and slandering decent Americans.

"We also know informed, and educated voters won't buy either of those allegations, 'Communist or radical Muslim,' especially voters who had no problem helping Barack 'Hussein' Obama win Michigan twice. That would be a very slippery slope for Rogers if he goes that route, which would probably turn away all the gains the GOP has had with Muslim-Americans in Michigan."

DeLisle: "We live in 2026, so no one should be anything-phobic. I think that's just a label that people throw on other people, and I don't think it really means anything anymore.

"I think the biggest thing is what are his credentials? With Mike Rogers, you have a natural choice because you've got someone who understands how the system works, how the government works. He's been there for a long time. He has a lot of that knowledge built in, and with El-Sayed, his comments about if you can't say my name, keep my name out of your mouth. I mean, that's incredibly offensive in and of itself, because not everyone can speak another language fluently. So if you are trying, and you make a mistake, but you don't even want people to say your name, I think that it's petty."

She pointed to El-Sayed working in Detroit under former Mayor Mike Duggan.

"The program he worked under fell apart because funding dried up, and what has he done outside of that? Nobody knows, and I think that's going to be a really big problem."

She said at least with people coming from the business world, they have experience with institutions.

"He just doesn't have any of that. So what does he have to offer Michigan, other than the fact that he hates Mackinac? It’s just not a lot. There's not a lot there."

Blocker: "I guess it would just be him never having held an elected office before. I think he has a pretty solid resume. You named the two biggest areas they are coming after. I'm a Democrat, don’t get me wrong, but I think he has an excellent background for helping people."

Roe: "I think primarily, just the outrageous price tag of the policies that he's proposing, as well as his proposals to raise taxes on the middle class."