Demographic shifts in Michigan favor Democrats as the population in rural Michigan declines, forcing new maps that should have more “purple” districts.
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
Michigan lawmakers spread millions in pork. Did your town get a cut?
Michigan lawmakers dole out more than $100 million in special projects. Check to see if your district got a piece of the action.
Posted inMichigan Government
That's a wrap! What bills passed, died in Michigan lame duck for the ages
More than 300 bills in 13 days. Here’s what you need to know about changes to minimum wage, constitutional amendments, marijuana and puppies. Yes, puppies.
Posted inMichigan Government
Out of the shadows: The people and motives behind one of the nation's worst cases of gerrymandering
Jan. 17, 2019: Michigan secretary of state wants to settle gerrymandering lawsuit Emails suggest Republicans gerrymandered Michigan to weaken ‘Dem garbage’ Emails involving Republican strategists and the Michigan Chamber emerge in a federal lawsuit. The messages suggest that helping GOP candidates was the central focus in redrawing legislative boundaries back in 2011. Voting results deliver on […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan population almost 10M again. These maps and charts explain how.
Michigan remains the 10th largest state in the nation, but slow population growth after a lost decade likely means the state will lose another congressional district after 2020.
Posted inMichigan Government
Chart: Democrats can thank more educated voters for swinging Michigan seats
Voters in the most educated congressional districts flipped on the GOP, giving Democrats two victories and a 7-7 split in the state delegation. It was a trend seen across Midwest.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP on lame duck bills: You’ll thank us later, Michigan
Grassroots Republican leaders say legislation will help preserve Michigan’s booming economy and make it harder for Democrats to act on some of their more radical impulses.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Lame Duck Tracker
Since the chaotic lame duck session began in late November, hundreds of bills have been introduced and voted on, some that would have major effects on Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gerrymandering 101: How voters favor Dems, but GOP keeps Michigan Legislature
An analysis of statewide House and Senate races shows how Michigan Republicans kept control of both the House and Senate in the Nov. 6 election, despite receiving less votes than Democratic candidates statewide.
Posted inMichigan Government
These maps show how Michigan Republicans kept power despite blue wave
Explore how gerrymandering helped GOP keep control of Michigan’s House and Senate, even though Democrats got more votes.
