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Last weekend, PPI brought New Directions to Lansing, Michigan, convening elected leaders, policy experts, and political strategists from across the country to continue a candid conversation about the future of the Democratic Party.
As a Midwest battleground with deep manufacturing roots, Michigan reflects both the economic pressures facing working Americans and the kind of pragmatic leadership needed to rebuild trust and deliver results.
The convening began Friday evening with a fireside conversation with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and continued Saturday with discussions on lowering costs, expanding energy abundance, strengthening workforce skills, reforming public education, reimagining Democrats’ approach to national security, and positioning the economy for growth in an AI-driven world.
What emerged over two days was a shared recognition that party renewal will require clearer priorities, practical solutions, and a renewed focus on upward mobility for working Americans.
See below for highlights and key takeaways from New Directions in Lansing. Click the hyperlinks or photos for a clip of each discussion panel, or watch the full event here ([link removed]) .
Highlights from New Directions for Democrats in Lansing, MI
To kick off the weekend, PPI hosted a dinner featuring a fireside chat with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and former Congressman and PPI Senior Advisor Tim Ryan. The conversation focused on governing in a competitive state and learning from Michigan’s recent successes, including the governor’s “Fix the Damn Roads” initiative, which grew directly out of voter feedback. Governor Whitmer emphasized the importance of economic security, education reform, and a balanced approach to energy policy, while underscoring the need for Democrats to better understand voter concerns and deliver a clearer message rooted in results for working families.
PPI President Will Marshall opened the event by laying out the stakes for Democrats in 2026, emphasizing the need to reconnect with working families, focus on affordability and economic opportunity, and offer a clearer path forward based on the concerns voters raise most often, from cost of living to jobs and training.
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Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet ([link removed]) joined for a discussion on how Democrats can win back working-class voters, drawing on the economic realities of her district and the need to refocus the party on affordability, education, and practical solutions. Participants examined focus group findings from Michigan voters and debated how to sharpen the party’s economic message, including a shift away from politics driven by consultants rather than grassroots listening.
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Candidate for WI-03 Rebecca Cooke ([link removed]) explained how she outperformed Democrats in 2024 by focusing on kitchen-table issues like health care costs, which she is prioritizing for 2026.
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Rep. Hillary Scholten, Rebecca Cooke, and Lansing Mayor Andy Schor ([link removed]) led a session on strengthening the economic offer for working families. The discussion highlighted the pressures of health care, housing, energy, and food costs, the need for competition and choice in markets, and strategies for workforce development that go beyond four-year degrees.
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Senator Elissa Slotkin ([link removed]) led a session on modernizing Democrats’ approach to national security and public safety, highlighting the need to rebuild trust after Trump’s presidency. She emphasized concrete strategies like strengthening alliances, preparing for cyber threats, increasing our space influence, and addressing public concerns about AI and data centers, all aimed at delivering policies that resonate with voters.
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MI State Rep. Stephen Wooden ([link removed]) discussed the need to make government work more efficiently and how fiscal responsibility can lead to lowering costs across the board.
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PPI’s Rachel Canter and Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read ([link removed]) led a session on how Democrats must lead on public school reform again. The discussion explored strategies to improve literacy, strengthen accountability, and prepare students for high-paying jobs, while highlighting the importance of innovation, persistence, and fostering public trust in core institutions.
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Lansing Mayor Andy Schor ([link removed]) highlights the tough realities of what Democratic voters truly care about and how nationalizing local issues is a winning message.
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MI State Rep. Julie Brixie ([link removed]) spoke about the importance of apprenticeship programs and workforce development, and how investing in workforce within our communities benefits everyone.
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Rep. Haley Stevens ([link removed]) closed the convening with a discussion on economic growth and upward mobility in an AI-driven economy. The panel examined Michigan’s role as a manufacturing hub and how national policies, including recent tariffs, are shaping industries, jobs, and household costs. PPI policy experts highlighted the potential of AI to boost productivity and wages across sectors while emphasizing the need for workforce training, reliable energy, and a predictable business environment to support innovation and long-term competitiveness.
WATCH THE FULL RECORDING ([link removed])
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