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Michigan’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Debbie Stabenow, is retiring, and a crowded field is hoping to replace her. Some of the candidates attended a forum at the Northern Michigan Policy Conference in Acme on Friday.
Four candidates from a crowded field were there: Republicans Michael Hoover, Peter Meijer and Nikki Snyder, and Democrat Hill Harper.
Among the topics was a controversial proposal to build a tunnel beneath the Straits of Mackinac for Line 5 — dual pipelines that carry crude oil and natural gas liquids.
And they also discussed global cooperation on climate change.
Listen to Morning Edition host Tyler Thompson and IPR climate reporter Izzy Ross discuss the event, through the audio player attached to this post.
The Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance conducted a poll with Michigan Information and Research Service, and invited the candidates that were able to poll at least 1%.
Candidates who were invited but didn’t attend were Democratic U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin and Republican candidates James Craig, Mike Rogers and Sandy Pensler.
Those on stage talked about a lot of other issues as well. Questions included whether they supported a ceasefire in Gaza — Democrat Hill Harper was the only candidate who did — and what they would do to support economic development in rural parts of the state, with suggestions ranging from more mining to helping small farms.
The Senate primary is this August. Early voting for the presidential primary will start by February 17. In-person voting for the presidential primary is February 27.
