Sports betting companies pumped nearly $3 million into Michigan legislative races this month. The spending mostly benefited current lawmakers and followed rejection of a proposed gambling tax.
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster covers Michigan politics, campaign finance and government accountability for Bridge Michigan. He joined Bridge in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and on its investigative team, and previously spent three years as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, tracking the influence of political money in Michigan. A Michigan native, Simon holds a bachelor's degree and a master of public policy from Michigan State University.
Simon is based in Lansing. When he's not working, you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia.
Posted inMichigan Government
MAGA minus Trump: Perry Johnson’s $30M gamble on Michigan governor race
Perry Johnson is running for Michigan governor as a MAGA Republican. Can he overcome President Donald Trump’s endorsement of his rival?
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: President Trump says Michigan ‘thriving,’ auto industry ‘back’
In a campaign-style rally, President Donald Trump touted Michigan’s economy and its auto industry. Jobs data paints a more sobering picture.
Posted inMichigan Government
Bridge Listens: How Michigan’s next governor would change elections, transparency
From voter ID to government transparency reforms, Michigan gubernatorial candidates told Bridge how they’d like to change rules related to the democratic process.
Posted inMichigan Government
In their own words: Michigan governor candidate on voting rules, democracy
Michigan gubernatorial candidates tell Bridge how they’d try to improve confidence in elections and government.
Posted inMichigan Government
Who’s funding Michigan governor candidates? New filings reveal top donors
The DeVos family, unions and Perry Johnson are spending big in Michigan’s gubernatorial race ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. See how.
Posted inMichigan Government
Pro-Stevens groups erase El-Sayed fundraising edge in Michigan Senate race
Abdul El-Sayed again outraised Haley Stevens, but outside groups have spent more than $45 million to boost her in the Democratic primary for Michigan’s open US Senate seat.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: Is John James backed by data center developers?
Republican gubernatorial hopeful Perry Johnson is attacking rival John James over donations from data center developers. Some of the contributions predate the data center boom.
Posted inMichigan Government
Mike Cox drops out of Michigan governor race, endorses John James
The former attorney general says that President Trump’s endorsement of James sealed the deal for the Republican nomination.
Posted inMichigan Government
Abdul El-Sayed outraises Haley Stevens, but super PACs dominate Senate race
New financial disclosures show Abdul El-Sayed is outraising rivals in Michigan’s US Senate race. But super PAC spending heavily favors fellow Democrat Haley Stevens.
