Vice presidential nominees almost never resign unless or until they win election, so Gretchen Whitmer likely would remain Michigan governor even if she is tapped by Joe Biden as his running mate. But would she curtail her duties to campaign amid a deadly pandemic?
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan is a deputy editor for Bridge Michigan. He helps plan and execute in-depth reporting and campaign coverage. As a longtime political reporter, Jonathan was named 2021 Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. He and a colleague shared that honor again in 2023, when they were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in September of 2019. He's from Grand Rapids, lives in Lansing and loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Government
Poll: Slim majority opposes drive to limit Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s power
Fifty-two percent of Michigan voters oppose a petition drive that would repeal a 1945 law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has used to continue an emergency declaration during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new statewide poll. But that may not stop the GOP-led Legislature from enacting the initiative anyway.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP’s advantage wanes in last year of Michigan ‘historical’ gerrymander
Michigan’s political districts are some of the nation’s most notorious gerrymanders. But the maps drawn to give the GOP an advantage are facing their final election, complicating the party’s effort to reclaim a majority in Congress and maintain its edge in the state Legislature.
Posted inMichigan Government
Absentee ballots favor Democrats in Michigan, causing worry among GOP
In an election with record numbers of absentee votes, Democrats were far likelier to remotely cast ballots than Republicans, who say they need to change or face trouble come November.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan primary results: Rashida Tlaib cruises, Peter Meijer wins big
An absentee ballot surge that broke records during the coronavirus pandemic delayed some counting, but Michigan’s congressional delegation was taking shape by Wednesday afternoon.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer governs by ‘fiat,’ GOP argues in suit over Michigan pandemic powers
The Michigan Court of Appeals heard arguments Tuesday in a high-stakes case challenging Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency authority amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican-led Legislature sued the governor and is expected to take the fight to the Michigan Supreme Court if necessary.
Posted inMichigan Government
With ‘school policy in chaos,’ coronavirus delays debate in Michigan Senate
A Michigan senator’s positive test for COVID-19 has shut down debate this week for school reopening measures. Republicans want to require all districts to offer in-person classes.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer lets Detroit casinos open but limits northern Michigan indoor bars
Detroit casinos can reopen at limited capacity next week but some northern Michigan bars will have to end indoor service again under an executive order signed late Wednesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan gym owners: Keeping us closed amid COVID harms public health
Michigan was fat to begin with. And gym owners argue continued closures will only exacerbate underlying conditions like obesity that can make COVID-19 more deadly.
Posted inMichigan Government
Supreme Court: Flint residents can seek damages from state in lead crisis
Michigan’s highest court ruled that residents can proceed with a case seeking financial damages from the state and emergency managers for their role in the Flint water crisis.