On February 6-7, 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.
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.
