DETROIT – Michigan Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt is making his case to be the state’s next governor in an interview at WDIV in Detroit on Monday.
Nesbitt said Michigan faces critical challenges that require bold leadership. From reversing population decline to overhauling education and infrastructure, Nesbitt said he is the candidate to turn things around.
“So I can have a better place my children and grandchildren to grow and stay,” said Nesbitt when asked why he wanted to be governor. “I think too often we’ve seen our children find opportunities outside of the state, and we need to find the opportunities here in Michigan. If nothing changes here in Michigan, over the next 30 years, we’re going to lose a net of 700,000 people in the state of Michigan.”
Nesbitt said he is running to shake up Lansing’s bureaucracy and push for policies that will strengthen Michigan’s economy and workforce -- believing his life story and experience sets him apart in the race.
“I think it’s my background,” Nesbitt said. “It’s the fact that I grew up on a sixth generation dairy and grape farm, that I’ve invested. I have a young family. I understand that we need to change the trajectory of our state.”
He also emphasized the importance of returning to traditional values. His campaign is focused on faith, family, patriotism, and community engagement.
Nesbitt also credited President Donald Trump for showing the importance of reaching out to different communities to build a winning coalition.
If elected, Nesbitt said his agenda for the first year would be to focus on three key areas:
- Overhauling education: “We can’t have a strong state if our students can’t read, do arithmetic, and excel in math,” he said. Nesbitt said he also wants to emphasize accountability and school choice to improve Michigan’s education system.
- Fixing infrastructure: “If we’re not serious about fixing our roads and bridges, we won’t be able to grow this state,” Nesbitt said. He also believes the state has enough funding but needs to prioritize the budget to address infrastructure issues without raising taxes.
- Cutting government waste: Nesbitt said he plans to get rid of DEI and woke-ism in state government, aligning with similar efforts at the federal level.
While Nesbitt is a conservative Republican candidate, he said his vision appeals to all Michiganders who want to see a stronger state.
“If we continue down the status quo in Michigan, we’re just going to be a shrinking, poorer state,” he said when asked about his message to Independent and Democratic voters. “We have an opportunity over this next year and a half to get us to be a dynamic, growing state once again.”
Nesbitt said his agenda also includes cutting taxes, deporting undocumented immigrants who commit crimes, and supporting federal efforts to secure the U.S. border.
