Michigan is a key battlefield for 2028, and the battle is now underway.
The key to winning in 2028 is being smart about who will support the governor's seat in 2026.
Many names have been thrown at him, but the need to maintain Republican House and Senate control for President Trump in 2027 and 2028 (and the entire MAGA movement beyond 2028) will limit the governor's pool.
So let me suggest someone who grew up a carpenter or family maid son in a working class neighborhood. From there he became a Detroit murder prosecutor and later acquired a statewide office as a populist and working-class warrior at the Trump Tea Party.
Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is considering running and he fits the 2026 bill of what Republicans need. He won. The closest in the entire state In at least 50 years, the race beat Gary Peters by 5,200 votes. This was a thinner razor margin, even more creakable than President Trump, with a margin of 0.17%. I won Michigan in 2016 with 10,700 votes and a margin of 0.23%. Despite being the top of Michigan tickets, Mike won, retiring Sen. Gary Peters in that race, earning Peters the only general election loss. (Full disclosure: I helped Mike in that race). In 2006, despite the Republicans losing the governor and Senate race at a big margin, Cox again scored 9%.
As attorney general, he I refused Jennifer Gratz, a working-class suburban white woman in Detroit, to use his office to protect the University of Michigan I sued The university is concerned with its positive action enrollment policy. After Grats won the US Supreme Court, Cox supported the efforts of Grats and Ward Connary I will establish it Michigan's constitutional amendments prohibiting positive actions in university admissions, public employment and public contracts. Cox was one of the few Republicans to speak out. support It was called the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI). Michigan voters have amended the Michigan Constitution by enacting the MCRI. 58-42% margindespite the existence of MCRI On a large scale Outspent. Cox then led the fight to protect the MCRI in federal court. Ultimately, the US Supreme Court support Effectiveness of MCRI in 2014.
In 2007, Cox once again fought the status quo after learning that Michigan had issued driver's licenses to illegal aliens and other non-residents. issue The Attorney General's opinion prohibiting Michigan from providing driver's licenses to illegal foreigners. Just this December's glitter duck session, Michigan Democrats tried to overturn Cox's opinion With lawBut that effort It's falling apart.
In 2010, Arizona Governor Jan Brewer tried to stem the illegal alien trend by signing up for the Law Enforcement and the Safe Neighborhood Act (Arizona SB 1070). When the Obama administration sued Arizona and Arizona Democrat Attorney General Terry Goddard refused to protect Arizona in court, Cox led other conservative state attorney generals file a Easy We support Governor Brewer and the people of Arizona.
Cox was run with the efficiency of the Attorney General, Cost reduction Improved performance for the benefit of taxpayers in Michigan. he Reduction His office size is over 20% during handling more Cases and advocacy for consumers, crime victims, and children committed without child support
In 2010, Cox was the Republican governor's primary Tea Party candidate, relaxing Rick Snyder when he and three other conservatives split the primary vote for the conservatives.
Cox has been away for over a decade since then, and that's a good thing. He is not a career politician or career candidate. After civil servants, Cox started his own law firm, building a successful business that sparked a Republican cause and defended victims who overtook large governments protected by agencies and predators. In 2020, for example, he successfully represented the Michigan Unlock Commission. The Michigan State Commission has ruled out the emergency for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, calling for citizen initiative. shutdown 32% of all Michigan businesses – the highest of all states. Ultimately, in another case, the Michigan Supreme Court held that Whitmer had the alleged authority. Unconstitutional. Last November, the RNC hired Cox to represent it in federal court to defend President Trump and Republican tickets on Election Day integrity issues. As a private lawyer, Cox is well known in the Michigan and sports world as one of three court-appointed lead lawyers, including 60 lawyers and more than 1,000 former University of Michigan athletes. I sued A university to cover decades of doctors from a predator team that sexually abused over 1,000 athletes and students Between 1965 and 1995 Under treatment.
Cox is currently exploring his retirement from his personal practices to run for governor, but already Donated $1,000,000 to his exploration committee. He said he wanted to demonstrate that he has skin in the game before he asked for one vote, volunteer time, or donation. If he runs again, Michigan will be “great again” under populist Republicans with a working class agenda that will eliminate taxes on work, increase public safety, and fix Michigan's failed public school system.
I hope he runs for Michigan.
Stephen Huntler is Bernie Marcus' political advisor and father of two wonderful children in the retired car execution.
