LANSING — Next year, Michiganders will elect a new governor, secretary of state, attorney general and a new U.S. senator, following an announcement from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters that he will not seek re-election.
The problem is that almost 60% of Americans don’t like the way democracy is currently working, according to 2024 research from Pew, a non-partisan D.C. think tank, including a significant number of Americans distrusting the federal election process.
Now, more than ever, collaboration is needed to “bring people together,” said former U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, who spoke to AgriPac contributors Tuesday during Michigan Farm Bureau’s Lansing Legislative Seminar.
Bishop, an attorney by trade and a member of the Republican Party, also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, and the Michigan State Senate from 2003 to 2010, where he served as majority leader.
He, like many U.S. citizens, recognizes the anger proliferating in politics, including calls of voter fraud in recent elections.
Because of this, Bishop co-launched the Democracy Defense Project with former Michigan Lt. Gov. John Cherry Jr., a Democrat, and other leaders. They say respect and tolerance need to come to the forefront when it comes to the election process so that public perception changes.
“You have to respect the fact that a person has a right to an opinion,” Bishop told Michigan Farm News.
“They have it, no matter how stupid it might be to you. You need to respect the process. The fact that you'll bring people together who have competing ideas as to what should be in a bill, you must be able to listen and find a way to work with them to push the ball forward.”
The Democracy Defense Project has bipartisan leaders throughout Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, including former Michigan Govs. John Engler and James Blanchard. Some of the group’s educational work includes providing videos, trainings, and talks, and eliminating misinformation when it becomes public.
According to Cherry, who served as lieutenant governor under Jennifer Granholm from 2003 through 2010, a lot has been accomplished in their first year of public outreach, including work with township clerks.
It’s this collaboration that will lead to better bipartisanship, added Cherry, especially when it comes to legislation that affects you.
“We all need to be engaged,” he said.
“This is a community effort. Unfortunately, in the Legislature today — and I don't think it was the case much when we were there — if you're seen talking with somebody from the other side, people say, ‘What are you up to? Can I trust you if you're going to have a friend on the other side of the aisle?’”
That can’t be the case if the U.S. wants to regain trust in the voting process, Bishop said.
“We need to make sure we advocate and bring that information forward so that people know, or we at least try to diminish that polarization,” he said.
‘I encourage more of you to run’
Every election year, MFB depends on voters to elect candidates who best represent the organization’s policies and beliefs.
Since 1978, MFB has endorsed thousands of candidates through AgriPac. Some of these candidates often have agricultural backgrounds, including Rep. Jerry Neyer, who currently chairs the House Agriculture Committee.
“I encourage more of you to run,” said Bishop, noting MFB members’ March trip to Washington, D.C., is a good opportunity to get involved in politics.
“I would encourage everyone who’s participating in these office visits to make sure they know who the member is, what they stand for, what their political philosophy is,” he continued.
“Do some reading on their background, and when you present an issue to them of concern, understand both sides of the issue so that you can engage in a real discussion with them.”
Likewise, Cherry said Michigan farmers with political aspirations should be engaged with their broader community, not just their government.
“What I have found oftentimes is that as you do that, people watch you, and they begin to understand who you are as they look for leadership in local government, county government and state government,” he said.
“You'll learn the issues that are important to you, and you will learn how to explain it to others who aren't so familiar with it. Your involvement with AgriPac is a great way to start.”