More than 230 days after a state Senate seat was vacated, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called special elections to fill the post by May of 2026.
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
Whitmer attorneys: Courts can’t force special election for long-vacant seat
Attorneys for Whitmer say the governor is “currently deciding” when to call a special election to fill a state Senate seat that has been vacant eight months. Critics have accused her of playing politics.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump admin to Michigan: Remove ‘gender ideology’ from sex ed or lose millions
As Michigan’s GOP-led House considers restricting transgender student bathroom use, the Trump administration warns the state it will lose funding if it doesn’t cut ‘gender ideology’ from sex ed materials.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House GOP budget cuts spending, workers and DEI to pave way for roads
With a potential government shutdown looming, Michigan’s Republican-led House unveiled and quickly approved a $78.5 billion budget plan that would slash spending and state workers but boost road funding.
Posted inMichigan Government
DePerno seeks to delay misconduct hearing as he mounts new AG bid
Matthew DePerno, the Michigan Republican Party’s 2022 nominee for attorney general, is seeking to delay a professional misconduct hearing as he prepares for another run.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan Senate OKs plan to curtail hazardous waste and trash imports
Plan approved by the Michigan Senate would curtail the state’s hazardous waste industry by raising disposal fees, banning the disposal of some radioactive waste and pausing approvals for new facilities. It now heads to the House.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer appeals federal aid denials for northern Michigan ice storm
Federal officials should approve disaster aid for individual homeowners and utilities in the wake of a March ice storm that rocked northern Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wrote in an appeal to FEMA officials this week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer meets with Trump, seeks delay on Medicaid change that will cost Michigan
For the third time this year, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met with President Donald Trump at the White House. This time, she said, they talked tariffs and ‘the harm Michigan will face due to’ Medicaid changes.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers pitch earmarks — including a critic who called them ‘quid pro quo’
In a first, Michigan lawmakers defended pet project earmark requests in public hearings. Republicans touted transparency, but Democrats decried ‘delay tactics’ amid budget stalemate.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan ballot initiative aims to reveal ‘dark money’ donors behind political ads
Potential Michigan ballot proposal would require groups that run political ‘issue ads’ near an election to disclose their donors, a reform that transparency advocates have tried before — but failed.