Simon D. Schuster
@simon
Political reporter in Michigan with @bridgemi.com covering the 2026 gubernatorial election, dad to @bridgemialerts.bsky.social Reach me: simon.schuster.press or text me at (517) 247-4949
Abdul El-Sayed coming to the podium at Michigan Democrats’ Friday rally. Pete Buttigieg spoke before him, and this was the first Dem event I’ve seen where another politician (El-Sayed) drew more applause from the crowd.
Example No. 1 million of ideological labels and policy preferences being largely unrelated
This is a mess in the making for MI-8 Republicans. Thomas Smith dropped out. Reminder: this is Rep. Kristen McDonald-Rivet's seat and was considered highly competitive just two years ago
Two teams of U.S. Department of Justice observers are swinging through polling places in Lansing, MI today. They sit off to the side, jot a few notes and move on. A Michigan Department of State official monitoring the monitors tells me they’ve been uniformly kind and cordial.
Rep. Haley Stevens reports receiving nearly $40k in contributions directly bundled by AIPAC.
The air quality in the UP's Negaunee Township is literally off the charts due to Canadian wildfire smoke right now air-egle.hub.arcgis.com
It's final: MI gubernatorial candidate Ralph Rebandt won't make the Republican primary ballot in August after the Michigan Supreme Court denied his appeal. Board of State Canvassers and state election officials found he didn't submit enough valid petition signatures.
The UAW has endorsed in Michigan's top political races. Governor: Jocelyn Benson US Senate: Abdul El-Sayed
The US Senate democratic primary debate on Mackinac Island is underway. Stay with @bridgemi.com for coverage
Jocelyn Benson is unveiling an education policy platform today on Mackinac Island. You can read her answers to Bridge’s questions on key education policy issues here: bridgemi.com/michigan-gov...
Teamsters nurses are on the road leading up to the Grand Hotel, protesting the CEO of Henry Ford Health due to their ongoing labor dispute
Jocelyn Benson, gubernatorial candidate and MI secretary of state, is on a panel discussing safeguarding elections. Much reaffirmation here about the security/safety of MI elections and the business world’s role in emphasizing that. “Partnerships are key,” Benson says.
Greetings from the Mackinac Policy Conference on an idyllic day. Myself and Jordyn Hermani will be providing some dispatches throughout the week. What do you want to see and hear about? Let me know!
Huge news: Independent and former Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is ending his campaign for governor.
Thomas' petition signatures were some of the worst I've seen (I redacted some PII) Out of the bureau's 750-signature sample, only 60 were deemed valid, and petitions from her circulators were sent to investigators for further review
Not really sure why this is happening, but it’s reflected on the MDOS website, too. Likely a weird bug on their end.
At a GR roundtable for Jocelyn Benson, who’s rolling out an affordable housing plan. Among other things, she wants to: - ban private investors from buying houses their first 100 days on market - tax short-term rentals like Airbnbs - expand tax credits, speed up building
📍Vieques, Puerto Rico Be back in a week! Until then, all I know is beach.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be on a panel with AOC at the Munich Security Conference today.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard says he would appoint an "ambassador" to Michigan's UP, saying the dedicated presence would give residents a "direct line to the Governor’s office."
In Grand Rapids this evening for a Mike Duggan campaign event focused on education. Several dozen attendees here — most in business attire.
This person tried to primary Rep. Rashida Tlaib in 2024. Didn't make the ballot. Ran against state Sen. Jeremy Moss in 2022 as a Dem, too. His ballotpedia page has the briefest (and funniest) responses I've seen on that site