GRAND RAPIDS — A month after U.S. citizens elected a new president, voting concerns have already shifted to the next big election — in 2026.
According to political analyst Bill Ballenger, founder of Inside Michigan Politics and publisher of “The Ballenger Report,” America is a deeply divided country, one that could switch voting tendencies “on a dime.”
During a keynote address at Michigan Farm Bureau’s State Annual Meeting AgriPac breakfast, Ballenger said the GOP will have a political “trifecta” — control of the U.S. House, Senate, and executive branch — following the reelection of Donald J. Trump in November.
Even so, Ballenger said the GOP will need to deliver quickly on campaign promises to improve the economy and address illegal immigration and border security.
“Donald Trump made a lot of promises, and if he doesn't deliver in the next year or two, things could get worse,” Ballenger said. “I think the voters can turn on a dime and vote the Democrats back into power at the national and state levels.
“It can happen very quickly. In 2022 nobody thought what happened this year could possibly happen in 2024, and yet it did, and it can happen going the other way just as fast.”
Focus will now shift to statewide politics, where Republicans and Democrats must first find new gubernatorial candidates as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be termed out of office.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, currently in his third term and formerly a democrat, has announced his candidacy as an independent for the governor’s office. Republican Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost his bid for the U.S. Senate against Elissa Slotkin, is another rumored candidate for the office, according to Ballenger.
However, Ballenger warned that agriculture will need to be prepared with farm-experienced candidates, financial backing and the coveted MFB AgriPac endorsements.
“Over a long period of time, you've got to realize what you're up against. Because this money, most of it isn’t flowing in your direction,” Ballenger continued. “It's coming from Washington, coming from out of state through ActBlue. It's really going to hurt your occupation and your industry.”
According to Ballenger, half a billion dollars was spent in Michigan on all political races this year, including Democrats spending $37 million just to retain control of the state House of Representatives, dwarfing the $10 million by Republicans for House seats.
Despite being outspent by nearly a four to one margin, Republicans were able to flip four seats to take control of the state House, thanks in large part to AgriPac endorsements and funding, according to Ballenger, “because the money is huge.”
“You made a difference with your endorsement, and you made a difference with your money. Groups like yours, AgriPac, are one of the most highly respected political action committees in the state,” Ballenger said.
He noted House Speaker Matt Hall will be tough on Democrats “in terms of Democrats being able to push through their agenda” as Republicans pursue efforts to improve local roads and handle employee paid-sick leave legislation, among other items.
MFB’s AgriPac endorsement also made a difference in Republicans taking control of the U.S. House, according to Ballenger, with its endorsement and campaign dollars for incoming U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett proving essential in securing farm bill passage.
“I think 2026 is going to be fascinating because we're going to have to see what is the lay of the political land in Washington and nationally,” Ballenger said.
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AgriPac is Michigan Farm Bureau’s political action committee focused on electing Friends of Agriculture and is funded by the financial support of Michigan Farm Bureau members.
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