Insider Intelligence

“Why would anyone run for office”? That is the question I hear regularly, especially as politics has become a 24-hour media spectacle. The truth is, there are thousands of individuals that run for office every year from the local level all the way to a federal office. These candidates are generally committed to making their […]

On Thursday, the Senate passed a two-bill package making reforms to campaign finance in Michigan.  The proposal would allow independent expenditure committees to raise and spend unlimited funds.  It also allows for candidates to solicit funds for those committees, but would prohibit them from telling the committee how to spend the funds.  “This is a […]

This week, the House moved quickly to pass HB 4892, a one-time solution for locals dealing with a mix-up over the filing deadline for candidates of local offices.  The legislation sponsored by Speaker Pro Tem Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), was introduced following a mistake by a local government in his district that would have left a […]

By now, you’ve heard about Lt. Gov. Brian Calley’s campaign petitioning for an amendment on the 2018 ballot to give Michigan a part-time legislature.

Last Tuesday, new voting equipment was put to the test during local elections held throughout the state.  In all, sixty-three jurisdictions in the state used the new equipment last week.  Many local clerks expressed their pleasure with the new equipment and stated election day went off without a hitch.   The new system uses digital optical […]

Governor Rick Snyder signed into law, legislation removing outdated political party icons from election ballots.  Small images representing political parties have appeared on ballots in Michigan since the 1890s.  However, those in favor of removing the images state they are no longer needed and at times cause voter confusion when a straight-ticket voter circles the […]

A special election was held Tuesday night to fill the 1st House district seat. The seat became available when former Representative Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods) resigned back in February. Banks pleaded guilty to misdemeanor filing false financial statements and resigned as part of a plea deal in exchange for no jail time. Tenisha Yancey (D) […]

The 109th House district seat has been vacant since May following the death of Representative John Kivela (D-Marquette). Sara Cambensy (D), a city commissioner, won the Democratic nomination in the special primary election held Tuesday. Cambensy had previously lost to Kivela in the 2016 primary, but beat out three other candidates this time around. She […]