The 2026 Cherry Pie Debates brought four candidates for the Michigan Legislature together:
They discussed a wide range of issues. In some places, they even found agreement. In this episode, we recap where they stand on two issues: affordability and immigration.
The debate was sponsored by the Leelanau Enterprise, IPR, the Glen Arbor Sun and the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County.
Pick a topic below to listen to that section of the debate.
Candidates each had two minutes to respond to each question, followed by a 1-minute opportunity for rebuttal. Opening statements were limited to two minutes. Closing statements were limited to one minute.
Opening Statements
Affordability and housing
Balancing state and local power
Adapting to climate change
The Line 5 tunnel
Data centers and AI
The statute of limitations
Immigration enforcement
Rural health care
Closing statements
Audio recordings by Bekah Wineman for Interlochen Public Radio
Producer: Austin Rowlader
Editor: Steve Junker
Host: Ed Ronco
Music: Blue Dot Sessions
