Gubernatorial chatter is “all over” the Mackinac Policy Conference as high-profile Democrats positioned themselves for potential 2026 runs to replace term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Lauren Gibbons
Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons
Posted inMichigan Government
Dana Nessel calls for pork politics reforms amid Clare grant probe
The attorney general office calls for changes to a process that has awarded $2 billion in pet projects in recent years. Some are under investigation, including a $25 million grant for a health campus in Clare that was championed by a former House speaker and went to a former aide.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer: More housing, home energy savings coming soon to Michigan
State officials are adopting a more aggressive goal for building and rehabilitating new housing, as well as preparing to leverage federal funding for home energy rebates.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan leaders gather on Mackinac amid deep divides, economic apathy
As Michigan power players debate policy on Mackinac Island, new polling suggests voter apathy on the economy, higher education and even the democratic process.
Posted inMichigan Government
Elissa Slotkin winning over Senate donors. Her challenge: Win over Black voters
Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin says she’s made more than 90 visits to Detroit as she works to woo Black voters in the Democratic primary for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump ‘warrior’ Mike Rogers takes flak in Michigan GOP primary for U.S. Senate
Mike Rogers says he and Trump can beat Democrats. First, he’ll have to survive a ‘nasty’ GOP primary for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan elections FAQ: Yes, Mike Rogers moved back from Florida
A Bridge Michigan reader asks if U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers still lives in Florida. His campaign says he moved back home to Michigan last year, and he’s now registered to vote here again.
Posted inMichigan Government
For Michigan officials building an $80B budget, ‘boring is a good thing’
New projections show tax revenues and the economy are stabilizing as Gov. Whitmer, legislators work to finalize an $80 billion spending plan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dems allege forgery, fraud on GOP petitions for Michigan U.S. Senate seat
Democrats demand a state investigation into “potential forgery and other fraudulent signature gathering tactics” by leading Republican candidates for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan necrophilia ban would criminalize sex acts with dead bodies
When Melody Rohrer’s murderer was caught, he wasn’t charged with a sex crime despite evidence that he had sex with her corpse. That’s because no law explicitly bans necrophilia in Michigan, a fact her family is trying to change.
