Joe Tate’s next mission: From the Marine Corps to the US Senate

Exclusive: State Rep. Joe Tate opens up about his Detroit roots, the American dream, the messiness of politics, and what Michigan needs from its next senator.

LANSING—Michigan Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit) has worn a lot of hats: Marine Corps officer, NFL lineman, state legislator, and the first Black Speaker of the Michigan House. Now, he’s making a bid for the US Senate—bringing a message rooted in service, family, and unfinished business.

In an exclusive, 30-minute interview with The ‘Gander, Tate reflected on his family’s Great Migration story, what public service means to him, the chaos caused by Trump-era policies, and what it’s going to take to build a more stable, supportive economy for Michigan families.

The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

You’ve spoken about your grandparents coming to Michigan during the Great Migration. Was there a moment in your life when that legacy felt especially real to you?

There are a couple of things that stand out to me. One moment was when I was serving as a state representative and my father—who passed away in the line of duty in 1981—was honored with a highway memorial on I-94. That moment brought my family together to celebrate his life. My mom was still around, and my grandmother was alive, too. That had real meaning.

The other moment was when I decided to join the US Marine Corps. It was through my father’s inspiration that I decided to serve. What was given to us—coming here and my family moving to Michigan and having opportunities to be successful—that’s what drove me to give back.

You’ve worn a lot of hats—Marine, athlete, Speaker of the House. What pushed you to run for the US Senate?

It came through conversations with my constituents and everyday Michiganders across the state. It was also what I started hearing at the beginning of the Trump administration. Neighbors told me they had been pulled from cancer trials. I heard concerns in northern Michigan about what would happen if Medicaid gets cut, which Republicans are trying to do right now in DC.

Then, with tariffs, there were stories about people taking groceries across the border to family in Canada and getting hit with a $60 surcharge. That’s something they’d never seen before.

Those moments pushed me to run—because we need effective leaders who are going to be smart, who can push back, and stay focused on delivering for Michigan residents in DC.

You’ve said politics as usual isn’t working. What does building a new kind of leadership in Washington actually look like to you?

As Speaker, I think we showed what that could look like. We passed the largest tax break for working families in state history and repealed the senior pension tax. We enacted common-sense gun violence reduction laws, expanded the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include the LGBTQ+ community, and moved a climate package that’s the envy of other states.

Looking back at what we’ve been able to accomplish and get done, that’s the way we need to go: Putting Michiganders first and building the kind of future where people can be successful.

Of those accomplishments, is there one you’re especially proud of?

Yeah—breakfast and lunch for schoolchildren. My mom was a public school teacher. She understood the importance of education and pushed us to ensure we had a proper education. 

And we know it’s hard to learn on an empty stomach. The data shows that. 

The other thing is what we did for workers. We were the first state in 70 years to repeal right-to-work laws. We reinstated the prevailing wage. We expanded unemployment insurance benefits and added more coverage. We were woefully behind other states on that. And if things keep going the way they are in Washington, there’s going to be a real need for that support.

You’ve mentioned how the Trump administration has shaped your campaign. What’s at stake for Michiganders right now?

I’ve talked to a lot of people who feel overwhelmed right now. 

They feel like their foundation is being torn down. 

We’re talking about cuts to healthcare, to veterans benefits—which is particularly astounding to me, especially with over 400,000 Michigan veterans who made a promise to their country. America should uphold its end of the bargain by supporting them.

Then, there’s the economy. Tariffs are having an impact. GM is revising its profit forecasts, which means smaller checks for UAW workers who depend on profit-sharing. When you combine that with an increasing cost of living, it spells bad news for Michigan families.

And 40% of Michigan’s state budget comes from the federal government. So, all of this is intertwined and we’re only starting to see the beginning of those effects here in Michigan.

Many voters are exhausted by gridlock, by partisanship. What do you say to folks who’ve lost faith that the government can work for them?

I always remind people about how the government has worked for them in the past. 

Take the Affordable Care Act. That helped expand Medicaid and here in Michigan brought hundreds of thousands of people under coverage. Or even further back: Medicare, the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act. We still feel the impact of all of those things and it shows.

History ebbs and flows. We have to keep in mind that democracy is a practice across generations. And in order to keep it, we have to work for it. That takes all of us—in all arenas.

Trump’s tariff policies have hit Michigan hard. What’s your take on how they’ve been handled—and what would you do differently?

The biggest problem is the uncertainty. 

If you don’t know the rules of the game, how can you play by the rules? What the Trump administration is doing—changing course from one day to the next—is not beneficial. 

We should have open lines of communication with other countries. And we should be able to have those conversations and understand what our trading relationship should be. 

Injecting uncertainty and chaos only hurts Michiganders. Michiganders are going to begin to see that as we go along in the year. It’s not something that’s going to benefit Michiganders. 

You’ve talked about your grandfather buying a home and building a life in Detroit. But today, the American Dream feels out of reach for a lot of families. What’s your vision for restoring those opportunities?

A lot of that work we’ve been able to do at the state level—lowering costs for those that need it.

We talk a lot about supporting working families and ensuring they have food and housing. It’s about being brilliant in the basics. We also need to invest in education and skills training. 

That’s why we focused on Michigan Reconnect, community college access, and post–K-12 pathways. Whether it’s a trade, community college, or a four-year degree, we need to make sure everyone has access to those opportunities so they’re set up for success in the future.

I’ve worked on those ideas in Michigan—and I want to take them to Washington.

You’ve had a unique journey—from football, to the battlefield. But what do you bring to this race that sets you apart from the field?

I’ve had the opportunity to serve my country, to be battle tested overseas in Afghanistan. I’ve also learned teamwork on the football field. I’ve got things done as a successful House Speaker in the state legislature, helping pass major legislation that has impacted people’s lives. 

That’s what I bring to the table: A real understanding of Michiganders’ hopes and challenges. 

I’ll be able to take that with me to DC to fight for them. 

About the Candidate

Here’s what to know about the candidate, his platform, and the road ahead:

Joe Tate was born and raised on Detroit’s east side, the son of a public school teacher and a firefighter who died in the line of duty when Tate was just three months old. He played football at Michigan State University as an offensive lineman and briefly joined the NFL before enlisting in the US Marine Corps, where he served two tours in Afghanistan as an infantry officer.

After returning home, Tate earned a dual MBA and master’s degree in environmental policy and planning from the University of Michigan. He was elected to the state Legislature in 2018 and made history in 2022 as the first Black Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Tate is one of four Democrats competing in a high-profile primary election for Michigan’s open US Senate seat in 2026. The race also includes state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, US Rep. Haley Stevens, and former gubernatorial candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.

Whoever wins the Democratic nomination will likely face Republican Mike Rogers—a former congressman who narrowly lost to US Sen. Elissa Slotkin in 2024 and is now running again.

The general election isn’t until November 2026, so there’s still plenty of time for Michiganders to get registered to vote and learn more about the candidates ahead of Election Day.

READ MORE: Lawmaker from Detroit joins crowded race for US Senate

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