This episode hits differently if you care about representation, education, and the future of Michigan. Jason Tunney shares the why behind his campaign. Tag someone who should hear this conversation. Logan sits down with Jason Tunney, a first-time candidate running for Michigan State Senate in the 35th District, to talk about what actually pushed him into public service. Jason shares the moment he realized hundreds of thousands of residents were paying state taxes without representation, why that felt fundamentally wrong, and how it became the catalyst for his campaign. From there, the conversation expands into energy costs, AI deep fakes in elections, data centers, education reform, and the real-world challenges facing Michigan’s workforce. Jason also reflects on his background in law, manufacturing, and family business, including the story of how his grandfather took massive personal risk to build Duralast — a lesson that still shapes how he thinks about leadership, accountability, and decision-making today. This episode isn’t about soundbites. It’s about process over results, understanding how systems actually work, and what responsible leadership looks like at the local and state level. Stay Connected with Us! Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan. Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes: @TALKMIDLAND Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community! #TalkMidland CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Process Over Results Why campaigns focus on controllables, not outcomes 02:30 – The “No Representation” Moment Paying taxes without a state senator and why it mattered 07:00 – Why Jason Decided to Run From frustration to filing paperwork 11:45 – Line 5 and Common-Sense Infrastructure Solutions Why unresolved issues create bigger risks 17:30 – COVID and the Power of the State How pandemic decisions reshaped Jason’s views on government authority 22:40 – Energy Costs & Cost of Living What voters are consistently bringing up on the campaign trail 27:15 – Data Centers and Community Buy-In Why local voices matter before major projects move forward 32:30 – AI Deep Fakes in Political Campaigns How misinformation directly affected this race 38:45 – The Risks of Unchecked AI Why regulation and structure matter 44:20 – Michigan’s Education Crisis Fourth-grade literacy, workforce readiness, and why it’s a tipping point 51:10 – The “Mississippi Miracle” What Michigan can learn from another state’s turnaround 58:30 – Trades, Manufacturing, and Workforce Gaps Why vocational paths matter more than ever 1:05:00 – Family, Manufacturing, and Risk The Duralast story and lessons in leadership 1:12:30 – Experience and Public Service How Jason’s background shapes his approach to leadership KEYWORDS: Jason Tunney, Talk Midland Podcast, Michigan State Senate, 35th District Michigan, No taxation without representation, Michigan politics, Local leadership, AI deep fakes, Artificial intelligence elections, Energy costs Michigan, Data centers Michigan, Michigan education crisis, Fourth grade literacy, Skilled trades, Manufacturing leadership
