Advance Notice for Thursday, Nov. 12

News in brief

• Michigan Democrats rally around Curtis Hertel as he seeks reelection as party chair — Hertel is seeking to lead the Michigan Democratic Party into the next election cycle after monumental wins in the Nov. 3 election, which saw the party expand its state Senate majority, take back the majority in the state House, retain the top executive offices, and flip three key Congressional seats. The party also elected U.S. Sen.-elect Abdul El Sayed. Hertel’s reelection has been endorsed by, among others, El-Sayed, Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson, U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) and UAW President Shawn Fain. 

• Greater Lansing DSA is encouraging AOC to run for president — As U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) signals her possible interest in jumping into the 2028 presidential race; the Greater Lansing Democratic Socialists of America on Thursday encouraged her to do so. Ocasio-Cortez is a member of DSA. The Greater Lansing chapter said it adopted a resolution calling on her to seek the Democratic nomination, saying DSA was ready to assist a candidate that shared its values.

•  Citizens Research Council of Michigan calls for new Democratic leaders to prioritize affordable healthcare — Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson and the new leaders of the state Legislature must find ways to address the immediate need for affordable healthcare in the upcoming 104th legislative session, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan said in a call to action email. The CRC said that a mix of federal policies and industry-wide cost pressures will drive up the cost of health insurance, which could also drive up the rate of uninsured residents next year.

ICYMI

• Michigan’s Black voters sent a message to candidates in midterms: ‘You’ve got to earn it’ — Michigan Advance’s Katherine Dailey explored what Black voter turnout looked like in the 2026 election, and the hard work that went into Democrats earning the community’s vote.

• Michigan’s U.S. Senate results challenge claim that criticism of Israel alienates Jewish voters — Senior Reporter Ben Solis dug into how the vast majority of Jewish voters stuck with the Democratic Party in the 2026 election despite an active campaign to dissuade the community from voting for U.S. Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed.

Stories in the works

• MEA releases findings on disruptive, dangerous behaviors among Michigan students — The Michigan Education Association presented new data from a recent survey of teachers on student behavior issues in classrooms across Michigan, and called on Gov.-elect Jocelyn Benson and the incoming Democratic-led Legislature to address the issue head on with potential new pilot programs and appropriations in the next budget cycle.