Flipping the Legislature (Guests: Sen. Jim Ananich and Rep. Angela Witwer)

Absentee ballots are coming in a record rates with election day just three weeks away – and a lot of Republicans are preparing to scream “rigged election” after they lose since a lot of them, including the GOP’s statewide candidates, refuse to say they’ll accept the results. On this week’s podcast, Jeff and Mark take a deep dive into what may be the most under-appreciated political battle this cycle: the battle for control of the Michigan Legislature. Republicans have dominated the Michigan Legislature for most of the last three decades, dating back to the GOP takeover of the Michigan Senate in 1983 (despite, thanks to gerrymandering, often getting fewer total votes that Democratic candidates). With the end of gerrymandered maps, Democrats are optimistic about flipping control of both the state Senate and House. We’re joined by two legislators focused on flipping control of both chambers: Senate Democratic Leader Jim Ananich and Representative Angela Witwer. Ananich is term-limited after representing Genesee County in the Senate for 8 years; Witwer has served four years after flipping a suburban Lansing district in 2018. ________________________________________________ This week’s podcast is underwritten by Practical Political Consulting and EPIC-MRA. We thank them for supporting “A Republic, If You Can Keep It.”