Speculation reignited over potential successors to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer after Pete Buttigieg appeared open to the idea at an Axios event last week.

Why it matters: Michigan has elected two Republicans and two Democrats since the turn of the century. Should another Democrat succeed the term-limited Whitmer, Democrats would maintain their longest hold on the governor's office since the 1960s.

• Taking back the governor's office will be instrumental if Republicans want to undo Democratic gains made by the party's first trifecta in almost 40 years.

The intrigue: There are several officeholders whose names have been floated as possible Democratic primary candidates in 2026: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist and Buttigieg, the U.S. transportation secretary and former presidential candidate who moved from Indiana to Traverse City in 2022.

The other side: While the Democratic side is off to the races, the state of the Republican side remains foggy.

Here's where the speculative Democratic candidates stand:

Duggan hasn't yet decided whether to run for a fourth mayoral term, but he didn't say no to a gubernatorial bid when the Detroit News asked this month.

Benson, who hinted at a run this year, earned national praise for her work administering Michigan's 2020 election amid threats and false claims of fraud by former President Trump and his supporters.

• Last fall, she challenged Whitmer on issues related to government transparency and recently broke with Detroit-area Democrats fighting for newly drawn political boundaries ahead of the 2024 election.

Gilchrist needs to build his name recognition statewide, Democratic strategists tell Axios. But the Detroit native, known for his career as a software engineer at Microsoft, is frequently mentioned alongside Benson and Duggan as a Democrat who might throw his hat in the ring.

What we're watching: "It's going to be a bloodbath," longtime Detroit political strategist Adolph Mongo tells Axios.

• "[Buttigieg's] no Michigan man but he could raise money. So will Duggan, plus he's got an army of people to pull from Detroit and other parts of the state."

Read the full story, with two other potential candidates

The asking price just got slashed by $15,000 on this four-bedroom colonial in Jefferson Chalmers.

• Welcome back to our recurring local real estate spotlight.

Why it matters: The east-side neighborhood is known for its historic and natural beauty, with waterfront parks, boat launches and places to fish nearby.

577 Chalmers St., $219,900

State of play: Flooring in the living areas and bedrooms was updated a few years ago, and the kitchen has been renovated with granite countertops, newer cabinets and lighting.

• The primary bedroom has a balcony overlooking the backyard and a concrete patio for outdoor entertaining.

Between the lines: Jefferson Chalmers is a great place if you like to get on the water, but it's known to be flood-prone.

• City officials have been working on solutions, Outlier reports, including the water department's Basement Backup Protection Program.

💭 Joe's thought bubble: Most home purchases carry risks — few scarier than potential flooding — but this opportunity to live near the water at a discount is worth a look.

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📣 Meet Marguerite Maddox, the longtime Detroit City Council public commenter whose tireless advocacy for those with disabilities has earned widespread praise and respect. (Outlier Media)

🚧 Construction of the NFL Draft stage near Campus Martius started yesterday. Preparations for the event, set for April 25-27, will cause road closures starting Friday at Randolph, Farmer and Monroe. (Detroit News)

❌ Detroit's inspector general banned Bobby Ferguson, a friend of former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, from doing business with the city until 2033. Ferguson was convicted in 2013 as part of a public corruption scandal with Kilpatrick. (Free Press)

🤠 Howdy, fellow lazies. Sam here.

• If you're like me and never feel like making food, finding a consistent Chinese takeout spot is essential.

Dig in: Pekin Pavillion on Jefferson serves large portions of American-style Chinese food for a bargain, at least in 2024 money.

• I ordered sesame chicken, fried rice and an egg roll ($10.95) and six crab Rangoon ($8.25).

What to expect: The food usually takes a while. I probably waited 15 minutes in the dingy waiting room on the other side of the kitchen. But the food made up for it.

• The sesame sauce was sweet and tangy and the rice was soft and pleasant.
• But the real star was the crab Rangoon. Hot, fresh and filled with creamy imitation crab and cheese — they're my favorite anywhere outside of Chicago's Chinatown.

State of play: Pekin Pavillion is attached to an art studio right next to Nicky D's on Jefferson near Belle Isle.

If you go: Open daily from 11:30am to 10pm at 6905. E Jefferson Ave.

• Not to be confused with Peking Express, which is two minutes up the road.

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Easter baskets will be loaded with Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs and Cups if last year's candy trends hold up this Sunday.

The big picture: Consumers are expected to spend $3.1 billion on candy this year, down from $3.3 billion for the holiday in 2023, the National Retail Federation's annual holiday survey found.

Between the lines: Despite climbing cocoa prices, chocolate candies are expected to still reign as America's favorites similar to recent years, Axios' Kelly Tyko reports.