On Michigan's big blue election wave

Hey it’s Jer.

Michigan had a big, blue Democratic wave this election. Before we get into the headlines, let’s talk about it.

Yes, Gretchen Whitmer solidly won (she beat Tudor Dixon by about the same amount that she won in 2018 over Bill Schuette). And so did Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

But it’s so much deeper than that. You could, theoretically, makes the case that those candidates were inexperienced and not aligned with the state on key issues.

All three statewide proposals passed, including the often-talked about Proposal 3, protecting reproductive freedom in our state.

The state legislature for the first time in more than four decades went completely under Democratic control. That’s huge, and means that the details on those three proposals will be implemented by Democrats.

Congressional races that were toss ups stayed up blue, like Elissa Slotkin.

I’m old enough to remember when you’d be laughed out of a room to say a Democrat like Haley Stevens would hold her congressional district covering most of Oakland County with 61% of the vote.

Yes, there were some Republican victories — but they were expected or in the case of John James, a “W” with less than 50% of the vote in his congressional race covering northern Macomb County into the thumb.

I discuss a lot of this with the excellent Steve Friess of Newsweek and Hour on today’s podcast.

Transit, too, won. And won BIG.

A shift of more than 100,000 votes since 2018 in Macomb County put the transportation millage to support SMART (they run the suburban bus and ride on demand system) over the top almost 2 to 1.

It passed by just 39 votes four years ago.

Oakland passed theirs as well, ending the swiss cheese of access that has bedeviled our region by ending the concept of the “opt out” community there.

Even in places that made noise about leaving SMART like Auburn Hills, their city electeds were told in no uncertain terms at the ballot box that more than 63% of their community wanted to be connected to the rest of the region.

This matters to me for three reasons.

Most importantly, access to those who need it. Transit, to me, is a hand up; not a hand out. It helps people get themselves to work and change their station in life. It also gives people options other than a car to get around.

It sends a sign that our region is open for business and serious about getting the employees that employers need to work. There’s still a lot of work to do. But with a stable source of funding in Oakland for the next decade, and a stronger majority in Macomb, real progress can be made.

Wayne County still needs to end opt-outs, in my opinion. I’m looking at Livonia, especially, who has a long history of being a sundown town and would do a lot to help bridge divides (and themselves) by saying yes.

If transit is good enough for the Grosse Pointes (also in Wayne County!), it blows my mind Livonia is still behind.

I want to believe we can work together to grow. We have a long, contentious history across county and city lines that has held us back for decades.

The focus is often on the city of Detroit’s population decline — but Metro Detroit as a region has fewer people than it did in 1970 (while adding miles and miles of new roads and infrastructure to support and pay for).

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

A lot of this is something different. Michigan went truly blue this time. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with an aligned governor and state legislature.

Let’s get to the headlines and send you on your way.

As always, my commentary on headlines I put in italics. If this is your first time here, sign up to get our notes free in the future.

📰 What to know…

» Detroit City Council approved a landmark contract with significant raises to police officers. As I mentioned in a previous edition, the city has has been hemorrhaging officers for years due in large part to low pay. Starting pay with the five year deal goes up from $40k to $53k, and significant raises across the board. Chief James White says he’s already getting texts asking if officers can come back. [City of Detroit press conference]

This has needed to happen for awhile. There are about 300 open positions, last I checked.

» What really impacts gas prices? Let’s get past the partisanship and into the facts of the matter with Gas Buddy’s Patrick De Haan. How much does the president really impact things? How do Michigan’s prices work? What about predictions for the holiday season?

» New condos are about ready in Corktown. The Coachman has units ranging from $269,000 to $650,000 in sight of Michigan Central Station. [Urbanize]

» Detroit is in a home repair crisis. The $45 million Renew Detroit Home Repair Program aims to help 2,000 low-income Detroiters over the next four years, but there’s so much work to do. [Bridge Detroit] [Detroit Public TV]

» All Things Detroit returns to Eastern Market this Sunday. I remember when this event was on the ground floor, and now it takes over the market with all kinds of shopping and a food truck rally. So get a jump on that holiday shopping! [Facebook]

» Partying on the biggest bar night of the year — sober? That’s what the Loving Touch in Ferndale is offering. Sober and sober-curiosity is on the rise, and to meet the need the bar known for music and pool tables will be offering mocktails, a DJ and more. [Detroit News]

Just a quick thing. I’m now hosting and producing five podcast episodes and writing three newsletters a week. It’s how I pay my bills and your support really matters. So if you want to, consider buying a coffee or two. It’s much appreciated. And if you already have, thank you!

And we’re done! Thanks for reading. Remember that you are somebody, and I’ll see you around Detroit.

-Jer