Michigan Public will host a free election-preview panel at Lansing Brewing Company on Thursday, Oct. 15, covering the governor's race and U.S. Senate contest ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.

The event, called "Issues & Ale: 2026 Election Preview," starts at 7 p.m. Stateside host April Baer will lead a panel of Michigan Public reporters through both statewide races, campaign promises and what's at stake. Attendees can watch in person or stream it online, but registration is required.

What's on the ballot

The governor's race pits Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, against Rep. John James, a Republican. Benson won her August primary with 84% of the vote. James, a Southfield native and former Army Ranger, defeated businessman Perry Johnson by 15 points in his primary, according to WILX.

The Senate seat is open because Democratic Sen. Gary Peters is retiring. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health department director, faces Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman and Army veteran who lost the 2024 Senate race to Elissa Slotkin. El-Sayed won a tight August primary, edging incumbent Rep. Haley Stevens by about 16,000 votes. Rogers ran unopposed on the Republican side.

An MSU Office for Survey Research poll of 1,000 Michigan adults, conducted Aug. 10–20, found Benson leading James 52% to 43% among likely voters, WLNS reported. The Senate race was closer: El-Sayed led Rogers 50% to 45% among likely voters.

The series

Issues & Ale is a recurring Michigan Public series that holds informal panels at venues around the state. A previous event took place at Downtown Market in Grand Rapids in October 2025. Michigan Public described the series as informal panels where audience members can ask questions about state politics.

As we reported Sept. 30, Lansing voters also face local millage and healthcare board questions on the Nov. 3 ballot. Registration for the Issues & Ale event is available on Eventbrite.