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U.S. Sens. Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin delivered a candid assessment of Washington’s growing polarization while arguing that bipartisan leadership remains essential — and achievable — for Michigan. In a conversation moderated by WDIV-TV’s Jason Colthorp, the two Democrats reflected on the realities of governing in a deeply divided political climate, while emphasizing that voters in Michigan still expect elected officials to deliver practical results.
Both senators argued that Michigan’s status as a true swing state forces leaders to think differently than lawmakers from safely partisan states.
“I just won on the same ballot as Donald Trump, so it is my mandate to work across the aisle,” said Slotkin. “If it’s a veterans bill or an agriculture bill, where it can help Michigan, I have a requirement to suck it up, buttercup, and work across the aisle.”
Peters echoed that sentiment, noting that Michigan’s political diversity rewards leaders who can collaborate rather than simply amplify partisan rhetoric.
“Michigan is a purple state,” said Peters. “You can’t be far right, you can’t be far left.”
The senators pointed to the bipartisan effort to secure $152 million in investments for Selfridge Air National Guard Base as a model for successful cooperation among federal, state, and local leaders. Slotkin also cited examples of issues that required cross-state collaboration, such as work with Republican representatives in Ohio and Indiana to protect the health of the Great Lakes.
Peters, who is retiring in seven months after 18 years in Congress, warned that bipartisan legislating has become harder every year. He attributed much of the problem to growing voter polarization and a media environment that rewards outrage over compromise.
“The people who yell the loudest, people who throw the most rocks, tend to get the most attention,” Peters said.
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Both Slotkin and Peters expressed concern about the role social media algorithms and artificial intelligence play in reinforcing ideological divisions.
“If you want to go viral, if you want to have the clicks, then it’s incentivizing deeply negative behavior by elected officials,” Slotkin said. “You have to think beyond the next couple of months to what is really important for your state and for your country.”
Slotkin added that lawmakers must actively seek opportunities to connect as people rather than political adversaries. For her, one example was attending the National Prayer Breakfast.
“I’m a Jew, and it’s a Christian prayer breakfast,” she said, “but it was one of the only bipartisan spaces where routinely every week I knew I could hear from people across the aisle … and it was actually very moving.”
Despite their concerns, both senators said effective governance remains the best defense against public distrust. Peters highlighted bipartisan legislation expanding VA access for veterans suffering from PTSD after receiving less-than-honorable discharges tied to combat trauma. The law has already helped thousands of veterans gain access to care.
As Peters prepares to leave the Senate, Slotkin praised his pragmatic leadership style and mentorship.
“I’ve looked to Gary and to almost nobody else as sort of the model,” Slotkin said.
Moderator Colthorp ended the conversation with a nod to the conference theme: “Just having this conversation feels like themes like ‘common ground’ are achievable.”
This session was editorially crafted in partnership with Crain’s Content Studio and was sponsored by Dow.
