Michigan elections FAQ: Primary recap, Slotkin-Rogers and walk-up songs

In new Michigan elections FAQ episode, Bridge Michigan reporters break down Tuesday’s primary and look toward November
Reporters say the Elissa Slotkin-Mike Rogers race to succeed Debbie Stabenow could break the bank
They also discuss surprises and walk-up songs for politicians

LANSING — Tuesday’s primary has come and gone. Now, all eyes are on November, which is expected to feature a blockbuster — and expensive — race to succeed U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the longtime Michigan Democrat.

A roundtable of Bridge Michigan Capitol reporters discussed the race, Tuesday’s primary surprises (such as they were) and tried to gauge voter enthusiasm during Monday’s Michigan elections FAQ live show.

Sleep-deprived but unbowed, the Capitol team of Jordyn Hermani, Lauren Gibbons and Simon D. Schuster joined host Isabel Lohman to answer reader questions about recounts and races to watch.

Watch the full episode below or on YouTube.

Among the topics:

The race between U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, and former GOP Rep. Mike Rogers to succeed Stabenow for a seat Republicans hope to flip after decades of Democrats controlling Michigan’s two votes in the Senate. Schuster said to expect a flood of outside money into the race.
The importance of Michigan in the race to the White House, as evidenced by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’ planned trip to the state later tonight and Thursday and GOP vice presidential candidate JD Vance’s stump speech earlier today in Shelby Township.
At that speech, Vance blamed Harris’ rhetoric for an increase in lawlessness and vowed mass deportations. Hermani and Schuster pointed out that this may be exceedingly difficult.
In other news, Gibbons explained how #bratsummer became a thing for Harris and weighed in on the indie rock credentials of her running mate, Tim Walz.

The Minnesota governor is a fan of iconic Minneapolis bands such as the Replacements and The Hold Steady, and earned an endorsement Tuesday from another, Hüsker Dü.

Gibbons suggested two walk-up songs for Walz:

“Can’t Hardly Wait,” by the Replacements

“Constructive Summer,” by The Hold Steady

Hipsters of all generations, this is your moment! Suggest walk-up songs for Walz, as well as Harris, Vance and Trump by emailing us at lgibbons@bridgemi.com. We may publish your responses.

Vance’s walk-up song last month at the Republican National Convention was “America First,” by outlaw country icon Merle Haggard.