Commentary: The true guardians of our democracy

As the dust settles on the 2026 blue wave tsunami of a national election, the predictable wave of political analysis and backslapping has begun. 

Pundits and the political class will spend weeks dissecting voter shifts, messaging strategies and polling margins. 

Here in Michigan and across the country, an important story of this election isn’t just about who won or lost. It is about how the election was run: smoothly, securely, and with an unwavering commitment to the fair and transparent democratic process.

For that, we must thank our secretary of state, now governor-elect, Jocelyn Benson and her exceptional team, as well as municipal clerks, poll workers and precinct volunteers across America — and specifically here in Michigan — who managed the logistical marvel of our vital voting system.

This year’s success was also fortified by an extraordinary, collaborative effort that took place far outside the standard political arenas. To truly appreciate why our system held strong, we must also thank former Democratic Gov. Jim Blanchard, who served as ambassador and was my former boss; former Republican Gov. John Engler; former Republican U.S. Rep. and state Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop; and former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a Democrat. and the leaders of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

In an era deeply fractured by political tribalism, these bipartisan leaders showed our state—and the country—a master class in pragmatic statesmanship. 

As leaders of the bipartisan Democracy Defense Foundation in Michigan, these former political rivals chose to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of our democracy.

Rather than retreating into comfortable partisanship, they put their collective weight behind a singular, vital mission: upholding public trust in our election infrastructure and protecting the integrity of the vote.

Throughout the campaign cycle, they traveled the state, hosting forums, speaking with the media, and utilizing new polling to directly address and de-escalate public anxieties surrounding voter safety and ballot security. Their  message was simple yet profound: Our election systems are decentralized, heavily scrutinized and robustly protected by our own neighbors. By auditing the facts and calling for civic responsibility, they helped lower the temperature of the public discourse.

They reminded us that while we can disagree passionately about policy, we must remain unified in our respect for the democratic process.

Crucially, this message found a powerful amplifier in the Michigan business community, spearheaded by the Detroit Regional Chamber. Under the leadership of longtime President and CEO Sandy Baruah and his outstanding team, the business sector recognized that a stable democracy is the literal bedrock of a strong state and prosperous economy. 

The chamber did not sit on the sidelines. Instead, it mobilized its expansive network to transform corporate civic engagement into a tangible, frontline reality.

Through focused election briefings and executive webinars, the chamber consistently educated regional leaders on the extensive, multi-layered safeguards built into Michigan’s voting framework. More importantly, it issued a direct call to action for employers. 

Jointly they prodded chamber members and the citizens of Michigan to move beyond passive observation and actively encourage their workforces to serve as local poll workers and precinct watchers. The business community responded in kind. By providing employees with the flexibility, and in some cases dedicated time off, to work the polls, regional employers helped solve a critical staffing puzzle for local clerks.

The result of this combined effort was palpable on Election Day. Because of the infrastructure championed by our local clerks, reinforced by the structural support of the chamber and the bipartisan shield, our precincts operated with transparent efficiency. Voters stood in lines managed by well-trained volunteers, ballots were counted meticulously, and the system functioned exactly as it was designed to do.

Democracy is not a self-sustaining machine; it requires continuous care, human labor, and a shared cultural agreement that the rules matter. 

This November, Michigan and America proved that when political rivals lock arms and the business community and others align their collective  resources with civic duty, we can withstand the forces of lies and cynicism.

To the thousands of election workers who checked IDs and handed out “I Voted” stickers, we thank you. And to Jim Blanchard, John Engler, former Rep. Michael Bishop, former Lt. Gov John Cherry and the Detroit Regional Chamber, thank you for reminding us that defending our democracy is a job that belongs to all of us. 

You didn’t just protect an election; you strengthened the very fabric of our state and nation.