Brandon Dillon, former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, testified at federal trial that Republican maps also made it difficult to raise campaign cash and find volunteers, claims disputed by the GOP.
Mike Wilkinson
Mike has been a reporter for Bridge Michigan since 2013 and focuses on data-assisted reporting, often finding stories by analyzing maps and data sets and has created Bridge's dashboards on COVID-19, the state's economy and Michigan's elections. He held similar positions at The Detroit News and The Blade of Toledo. A native of Michigan, Mike grew up in Macomb County, graduated from the University of Michigan and started his reporting career in New Baltimore before his career took him to Illinois, Tennessee and Ohio. You can reach him at mwilkinson@bridgemi.com
Posted inMichigan Government
New emails show Michigan GOP used maps to consolidate Republican power
Just days before a trial over the state’s legislative maps, new records show GOP operatives working to make more districts lean Republican while lamenting some GOP dissent
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rips Michigan Republican pork deals; says she can't block them
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed displeasure with millions of dollars spent on dozens of pet projects during lame duck, but said state will honor the bill
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal court scuttles Michigan gerrymandering deal, rejects trial delay
Less than a week before a trial is expected to start, federal judges paved the way for a landmark showdown over Michigan’s legislative districts, which Republicans drew and Democrats have derided as unfair.
Posted inMichigan Government
Arlan Meekhof takes credit for steering grants to help ex-GOP chair’s firm
The former Michigan Senate majority leader says he helped ensure money for utility lines went to a project that will benefit Bobby Schostak. ‘I don’t think that’s unusual,’ Meekhof tells Bridge.
Posted inMichigan Government
Suburban leader wants Dana Nessel to probe $20M to help ex-GOP chair
A Washtenaw County supervisor is seeking an investigation into two grants that will improve land owned by Bobby Schostak, a former GOP state chair and major political donor.
Posted inMichigan Government
Who pushed $20M grants that help ex-GOP chair? Michigan records left blank
For two years, the Michigan Legislature has approved $10 million grants for utility lines on land owned by Bobby Schostak’s company. Each time, documents explaining why were left blank or don’t exist.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan laws shield details of $10M grant to help ex-Republican chair
Last month, lawmakers approved funding to help a company headed by a prominent Republican. But there are no records detailing the process. And if they existed, they’d be shielded under Michigan law.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers award $10M for project benefitting former GOP chair
A company owned by former Michigan GOP chairman Bobby Schostak will benefit from one of the largest grants of the recent lame-duck spending deal. He says it’s a good investment. Others disagree.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lawmakers: Michigan Gov. Snyder swapped pork projects for votes in lame duck
The now ex-governor spent years governing by spreadsheet. As he exited office, he governed by checkbook, doling out over $100 million in projects to secure votes for environmental cleanups, lawmakers say.