This week’s Small Business Briefing covered major updates affecting Michigan’s business and political landscape, including developments in a key legal challenge, new statewide endorsements, and fresh polling data ahead of the November elections.
A significant update was shared on the ongoing legal battle over the Corporate Transparency Act. The case, brought in federal court, resulted in a favorable ruling for the organization involved. While federal rules related to the Act have since been withdrawn by the current administration, concerns remain that future administrations could reinstate similar requirements. The legal strategy now focuses on preserving the court victory to ensure long-term protections for small business members.
The briefing also announced new political endorsements through the organization’s Small Biz PAC. In the attorney general race, support was given to Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd. In addition, endorsements were made in two Michigan Supreme Court races, supporting Chief Justice Megan Cavanagh and Judge Michael Warren, both highlighted for their experience with business-related legal issues.
Attention then turned to newly released statewide polling. In the governor’s race, the contest between Benson and James was described as competitive, with Benson holding a modest lead and a notable share of undecided voters. The U.S. Senate race between Rogers and El-Sayed was characterized as even closer, with both candidates effectively tied within the margin of error. The attorney general race remains highly competitive with a large undecided electorate.
A key theme across the polling was the influence of undecided voters, many of whom reportedly hold strongly negative views of the president, shaping campaign strategies on both sides. Voter intensity also appears to favor Democrats slightly in terms of certainty of turnout, while Republican candidates show strong base consolidation.
Finally, two proposed ballot initiatives were discussed: one calling for a constitutional convention and another related to limits on political spending involving utilities and broader participation in the political process. Both were noted as significant and potentially impactful measures for voters to consider.
The briefing emphasized that Michigan’s upcoming election cycle is highly competitive across multiple levels and that voter participation – especially among small business owners – will play a critical role in the outcomes.
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