Four Republicans made their pitch to Saginaw voters in the race to replace Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Early polling and analysis suggest the race will be a toss-up.
State Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, R-Porter Township, Former House Speaker Tom Leonard, pastor Ralph Rebandt and businessman Perry Johnson all attended and spoke at the event.
“We’re going to get rid of unfunded mandates…I will get rid of the green mandates,” Rebandt said. “A Rebandt administration is going to run really simply, just whatever she did we’re going to cancel it out,” he said regarding Whitmer.
Moving in a different direction from Whitmer’s administration was a common theme during the evening. One popular idea was ending the state’s income tax.
Johnson, who stood up for every question, enthusiastically touted his plan to end the state income tax, which he says will save voters $4,747 a year, a nod to President Donald Trump. He said he wants to audit state agencies and save unspent money. Johnson won a straw poll held at the event with 46% of the vote.
"What do you say we give the money back to the people," Johnson said in his opening statement.
Affordable housing and opposition to data centers and affordable housing were big topics of conversation. Leonard restated his plan for a one-year moratorium to data center development.
"It is time we stand up and say no to big tech," Leonard said to applause.
Nesbitt, who leads Republicans in the state Senate, worked to establish himself as a conservative who could "turn Michigan into a red state," if elected governor.
"We're going to increase (housing) supply, deport criminal illegal aliens, and make sure that we bring back trades back into our schools, that's how you fix it" he said in response to a question about affordable housing.
Absent from the event was Congressman John James, R- Shelby Charter Township, who polls say is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
“I came with somewhat of a clear mind just to hear what everybody has to say and then hopefully come to a conclusion closer to the primary,” said attendee Cathy Pittsley, who is the Baldwin Township Clerk.
“I think there's a lot of things to think about because they are coming from different backgrounds, and that's what makes it interesting,” she said of the candidates.
James Asher is a 22-year-old communications director for the Michigan Young Republicans. He gave the keynote address at the event and said the economy is currently top of mind for voters.
“People want to know that taxes are going to be cut, that regulations are going to be cut,” he said. On whom he thinks voters want, Asher said, “...they want a candidate who is going to be supported by President Trump.”
