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9:10 p.m. Wednesday -- Calling it a night after mingling around the Grand Hotel. Former Speakers Craig DeRoche and Chuck Perricone arrived and were seen mingling.

Republican Ken Bradstreet, of Gaylord, and Democratic Rep. Joel Sheltrown are both on the island as well. It's worth noting that Sheltrown is running for term-limited Sen. Tony Stamas' seat, which runs from Midland to Alpena and over to Gaylord. Bradstreet, who was term-limited from the House in 2004, is also considering a bid for the Senate, according to MIRS. (Republican John Moolenaar, of Midland, who was term-limited at the end of last year from the House, is already running for the Senate.)

Congressman Bart Stupak, whose constituency includes Mackinac Island, and Lt. Gov. John Cherry both had a private fund-raiser with lobbyists earlier this evening.

Other legislators making the rounds on Mackinac Island include Sens. Hansen Clarke and Roger Kahn as well as freshmen Reps. Jase Bolger and Bill Rogers.

Attorney General Mike Cox, who has been on a statewide media tour after declaring his candidacy for governor this morning, arrived around 7:30 p.m. with his wife, Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox.

I also ran into my colleague, John McCulloch, the drain commissioner in Oakland County. We had a good discussion about our duties overseeing water resources.

RightMichigan's coverage of the Mackinac Policy Conference will continue Thursday. And don't forget to tune into my live reports on WMKT AM-1270, which streams live on the web, at 8:20 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

7:02 p.m. Wednesday -- The "strolling dinner" is in full swing with a packed Grand Hotel foyer.

Despite rumors of low attendance, there is a surprising number of legislators and would-be elected officials in the crowd. Sen. Alan Cropsey and Reps. Jase Bolger and Kevin Elsenheimer were seen mingling with Mackinac Policy Conference attendees. House Speaker Andy Dillon was seen avoiding Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer, who kept wondering the foyer alone looking for people he might recognize.

Former Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette, a Republican candidate for attorney general, is also working the crowd. Sen. Mike Bishop, the majority leader, is not on Mackinac Island, though he's expected to arrive tomorrow after a swing through the U.P. this evening.

Attorney General Mike Cox, who announced his candidacy for governor earlier today, hasn't arrived yet, as he has been during a media tour on his way up north.

6:30 p.m. Wednesday -- Sen. Tom George, who is running for governor, stopped by for an interview with RightMichigan.com.

George, a doctor by profession, emphasized that he supports a statewide smoking ban with or without exemptions. He noted with so many other states taking action in this matter that it's time Michigan step up to protect workers.

Commenting on Lt. Gov. John Cherry's decision to skip tomorrow's forum with 2010 governor candidates, the Republican senator from Kalamazoo County said the move was "very unusual and very odd."

With Attorney General Mike Cox announced his candidacy earlier today, George says the field of Republican candidates is a good thing as it's engaging voters that otherwise wouldn't pay attention to a primary contest. "We have a good field of candidates," he said.

Cherry, the presumed Democratic candidate and heir to Gov. Jennifer Granholm, is beginning a so-called commission that will study reforms to state government, though George cautions that Michigan needs real reform -- not window dressing. George stressed that "simply saying you have fewer (state) departments is just a nominal effect" that doesn't accomplish substantial restructuring of Lansing.

6:10 p.m. Wednesday -- It looks like attendance is significantly lower than previous conferences. The media room is about half as full as this time last year, though last year's conference was held in an election year.

6 p.m. Wednesday -- Today is the opening day of the Mackinac Policy Conference. Having arrived on Mackinac Island a little more than an hour ago, events are slowly underway. There is an opening session with various business owners, including longtime Republican supporter John Rakolta.

Several legislators, including Sens. Randy Richardville and John Pappageorge, have been spotted already, though published reports indicate there are fewer politicians at the conference than in previous years.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, who is running for governor, has just arrived, and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson was seen mingling with attendees moments ago.

There are a couple of receptions on today's agenda, including a "strolling dinner" on the porch of the Grand Hotel.