Top Ten Media Moments From the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference
June 10, 2026
Spotlight on the News: 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, “A Quest for Common Ground”
WXYZ Detroit
May 22, 2026
Chuck Stokes
“As hundreds of Michigan leaders, from all walks of life, convene on Mackinac Island for the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, how will they pursue “A Quest for Common Ground?” Giving us a candid look at the issues they expect to be in the spotlight at the MPC will be Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber and Robert (Bob) Riney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Ford Health and Chair, 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference.”
View the full interview below.
Michigan Needs a New Path Forward
The Detroit News
May 25, 2026
Sandy K. Barauh and Bob Riney
“We are using the Conference to ring the alarm bell that our house is on fire because we know there is a path forward. Across this nation, as Michigan’s standing has dropped, there are examples — in blue states and red states ― where dramatic turnarounds have been executed in education, population growth, economic development and income levels. We can do the same in Michigan, but it will take a new approach to our politics and collaboration — it will take finding common ground.”
Mackinac Message: Michigan’s House is on Fire, and We’d Better Fix It
Crain’s Detroit Business
May 26, 2026
David Eggert
“A decades-long decline in per-capita income has made Michigan a “poor state” — a slide that voters are unaware of and should be top of mind if there is going to be a return to prosperity, according to business leaders and economic experts. Michigan ranks 40th, down from 16th a quarter-century ago and 13% below the national average. If the drop continues, the state will top only Mississippi and Alabama in 2050.
The problem, while not new, has been exacerbated by Michigan’s low educational markers and anemic population growth, all of which will be highlighted at this week’s Mackinac Policy Conference, where the Detroit Regional Chamber plans “house on fire” messaging to political, business, education and philanthropic leaders in what is a key election year.
A goal is to get candidates and others, both at the conference and after, to directly address the decline and how to tackle it.
“We want to start the conversation very candidly. We as a state are slipping. We’re actually slipping fairly dramatically,” Chamber President and Chief Executive Officer Sandy K. Baruah said, pointing to steep declines in per-capita income but also fourth-grade reading and population growth.”
Poll: Whitmer Remains Popular as Michigan Voters Worry About Inflation, Jobs, and the Economy
Michigan Advance
May 26, 2026
Ben Solis
“As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rides a high approval rating in the final months of her administration, several challenges exist for Michigan on the horizon, including the regulation of data centers, voter displeasure with the two-party system, concerns about jobs and runaway inflation.
“As we welcome Gretchen Whitmer for her final appearance at the Mackinac Policy Conference as governor, she is one of the most popular governors in the nation, particularly among those in their second term,” Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the chamber, said in a statement. “Her authenticity, accessibility, and willingness to tackle big challenges in a bipartisan fashion are reflected in her strong popularity and lend a perfect voice to our Conference theme of ‘A Quest for Common Ground.’”
Pence Discusses Relationship With Trump at Mackinac Policy Conference
FOX 2 Detroit
May 27, 2026
At the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference, former Vice President Mike Pence was interviewed by Pulse Anchor Roop Raj, discussing a variety of topics, including his relationship with President Trump. Plus, Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin and Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan discuss Duggan’s exit from the race for Governor of Michigan.
Mackinac Policy Conference Day Two Focuses on Declining Reading Scores in Michigan
WDIV Local 4
May 27, 2026
“Checking in on day two of the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Some of the state’s top movers and shakers are tackling big topics, including literacy. Reading scores are down, and that’s never a good sign for any state’s future.
“What really drives the economy and economic growth now is the availability of talent. For companies that have the best paying jobs they need the most educated, most trained people,” said Greg Handel, the Chamber’s Chief Education and Talent Officer. “So if you look upstream and at fourth grade reading scores that are really low, you have to think about have to think about what happens downstream.”
Megan Spanitz, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber
WJR 760 AM
May 27, 2026
Paul W. Smith
Megan Spanitz, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer for the Detroit Regional Chamber joins Paul W. Smith live from the Mackinac Policy Conference.
“That’s the ethos of this conference. This year’s theme – ‘A Quest for Common Ground’ – we want business leaders and government leaders to come together and talk about the most pressing issues and fixes for them and that’s what’s happening,” Spanitz said. “We have the right people here at the hotel this week to start talking about solutions.”
Listen to the full interview.
Mike Duggan Sits Down With 7 News Detroit’s Simon Shaykhet at Mackinac Policy Conference
WXYZ Detroit
May 27, 2026
“Former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan sat down with 7 News Detroit’s Simon Shaykhet on Wednesday at the Mackinac Policy Conference.
Duggan recently made headlines when he announced he was dropping his independent bid in Michigan’s gubernatorial race.
“Between the difficulty raising money nationally and the headwinds that were coming with the Democratic surge, I just felt like I had to be honest with people and say, I don’t see the path there anymore, and here’s a decision I’m making, and most people seem to respect that,” Duggan told Shaykhet.
As far as what comes next for Duggan, he says he plans to take his time.”
View the full interview below.
Michigan’s House Is on Fire. How Do We Fix It?
Daily Detroit
May 28, 2026
“Today’s conversation is with Detroit Regional Chamber president and Chief Executive Offcer Sandy K. Baruah. He explains why he thinks more common ground between business and policymakers, and between Democrats and Republicans, is the only way to reverse those long‑term trends.
We get into how constant partisan whiplash on policy, from electric vehicles to economic development, makes it nearly impossible for Michigan’s signature industries to plan long term. Baruah lays out why Michigan’s quality of life, workforce, and higher‑ed system still give the state a real chance to win.”
Flashpoint May 31, 2026: Leaders Tackle Education Crisis, Senate Race at Mackinac Policy Conference
WDIV Local 4
May 31, 2026
Jason Colthorp
“At the Mackinac Policy Conference, leaders discussed Michigan’s political landscape, previewing interviews with Sen. Elissa Slotkin, House Speaker Matt Hall, and U.S. Senate candidates, with a focus on cost of living, jobs, unions, and tech policy. Additional topics included the state’s low fourth-grade reading performance and university leadership challenges.”