Latest news with #MichiganHouse
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mediation ordered in Michigan House lawsuit against Secretary of State Benson on subpoenas
A Michigan Court of Claims judge ordered mediation in the lawsuit the Michigan House filed against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over subpoenas to obtain training materials for election administrators, the release of which Benson fears could compromise election security. Benson has provided some of the material sought by the Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee but has expressed concerns that some of the information requested could end up in the wrong hands. The Michigan House filed its lawsuit against Benson in June, arguing that they have a right to review the material to ensure that election officials receive proper training that complies with Michigan election law. Michigan Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel on July 25 ordered the parties in the case to appear for mediation with Court of Claims Judge James Robert Redford, requiring Benson and House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland, to attend unless they have a valid excuse. The order followed a July 22 hearing during which Patel made the ruling from the bench. Two weeks before the mediation conference, the parties in the case must list the remaining materials subpoenaed that the Secretary of State's office hasn't delivered with a description of each. Michigan Politics: President Donald Trump endorses Mike Rogers in Michigan U.S. Senate race Benson said during a May news conference before the lawsuit was filed that she welcomed going to court over the fight with the Michigan House for election training materials and previously proposed having a third-party mediator from the judicial branch join a meeting with House legal counsel. She said handing over some of the information sought by lawmakers could make Michigan elections vulnerable to attacks such as an effort to tamper with equipment or impersonate an election official. Michigan House Oversight Chair Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay Township, has characterized the lawsuit as a way to hold Benson accountable and ensure government transparency. Michigan House Election Integrity Committee Chair Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Martin, has said that lawmakers want to review the training materials following new election administration procedures. In recent elections, Michigan voters have given every voter the right to vote by an absentee ballot and established a new early voting system. "With how much has changed in state election law over the last few years, our legislators need to review those materials and ensure there aren't any holes or confusion in the training process," Smit wrote in a March statement. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mediation ordered in Michigan fight over election training materials
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fmr. Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard announces governor candidacy
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Tom Leonard, a former Michigan State Representative and Michigan House Speaker, announced his candidacy for governor on Tuesday. 'Michigan currently ranks second-to-last in unemployment, and our education is bottom-10 in the nation,' Leonard said in a news release announcing his campaign. 'We cannot afford another lost decade where our children are forced to leave the state for better opportunity.' Leonard is a Republican from DeWitt and served three terms in the Michigan House from 2012 until 2019. Before serving in the House, Leonard worked as a clerk, then later in the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office under Democratic prosecutor David Leyton. He served as the assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan before running for state representative in Michigan's 93rd district. Leonard unsuccessfully ran for Michigan Attorney General in 2018, losing to current Attorney General Dana Nessel. During President Donald Trump's first term, Leonard was nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but his nomination was blocked in the U.S. Senate. Leonard announced his campaign with a launch video, along with his campaign website. Rep. John James will join Michigan Senate Republican Leader and in seeking the MI GOP nomination. Secretary of State , Genesee County Sheriff , and will also be running for office, declaring as Democrats. Detroit Mayor will be running as an Independent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard launches campaign for governor
Two-time GOP attorney general candidate and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, has entered the race to serve as the state's next governor. "Michigan is at a crossroads. Our unemployment rate ranks 49th out of 50, and less than 40% of our third-graders can read at a proficient level. We are also losing our loved ones to other states. A positive vision, hard work, and a lot of grit are what it's going to take to turn this state around," he wrote in a post on X announcing his campaign June 17. Leonard served in the Michigan House from 2013 through 2018 and led the chamber in his final two-year terms. In 2018, he lost the attorney general's race to Democrat Dana Nessel. The next year, President Donald Trump nominated Leonard for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but he was effectively blocked from the job amid concerns raised at the time by Michigan's two Democratic senators about Leonard's nomination. In 2022, Leonard again ran for attorney general, but he didn't receive the Republican nomination. Instead, at the Michigan GOP convention that year, Republican delegates chose President Donald Trump's pick, Matt DePerno, who went on to lose to Nessel. Leonard is a partner at the law firm Plunkett Cooney's Lansing office, serving as the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group Leader, according to the firm's website. In a video launching his campaign, Leonard outlined his campaign pitch. "We'll cut the waste in Lansing, lower taxes and make Michigan more affordable. Fix our schools by empowering parents, not government and strengthen our economy by getting government out of the way," he said in a narration. He also vowed to support Trump's border policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again in 2026 due to term limits. In addition to Leonard, the other prominent Republican gubernatorial candidates include, former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. The big names on the Democratic side of the race include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate for governor. Michigan's Race for Governor: Duggan played to the Mackinac conference crowd. Can he win statewide? Leonard — who is 44 — was born in Flint. He is married to Jenell Leonard, who serves as the president and CEO of the Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resource Group. Tom Leonard received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University, according to his biography from the Michigan Legislature. Before serving in the state House, Leonard was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Genesee County and assistant attorney general. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard joins governor's race
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt launches campaign for governor
Two-time GOP attorney general candidate and former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt, has entered the race to serve as the state's next governor. "Michigan is at a crossroads. Our unemployment rate ranks 49th out of 50, and less than 40% of our third-graders can read at a proficient level. We are also losing our loved ones to other states. A positive vision, hard work, and a lot of grit are what it's going to take to turn this state around," he wrote in a post on X announcing his campaign June 17. Leonard served in the Michigan House from 2013 through 2018 and led the chamber in his final two-year terms. In 2018, he lost the attorney general's race to Democrat Dana Nessel. The next year, President Donald Trump nominated Leonard for U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, but he was effectively blocked from the job amid concerns raised at the time by Michigan's two Democratic senators about Leonard's nomination. In 2022, Leonard again ran for attorney general, but he didn't receive the Republican nomination. Instead, at the Michigan GOP convention that year, Republican delegates chose President Donald Trump's pick, Matt DePerno, who went on to lose to Nessel. Leonard is a partner at the law firm Plunkett Cooney's Lansing office, serving as the Government Relations, Public Policy and Regulatory Practice Group Leader, according to the firm's website. In a video launching his campaign, Leonard outlined his campaign pitch. "We'll cut the waste in Lansing, lower taxes and make Michigan more affordable. Fix our schools by empowering parents, not government and strengthen our economy by getting government out of the way," he said in a narration. He also vowed to support Trump's border policies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot run again in 2026 due to term limits. In addition to Leonard, the other prominent Republican gubernatorial candidates include, former Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township and Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt. The big names on the Democratic side of the race include Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as an independent candidate for governor. Michigan's Race for Governor: Duggan played to the Mackinac conference crowd. Can he win statewide? Leonard — who is 44 — was born in Flint. He is married to Jenell Leonard, who serves as the president and CEO of the Lansing-based public relations firm Marketing Resource Group. Tom Leonard received a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Michigan and his law degree from Michigan State University, according to his biography from the Michigan Legislature. Before serving in the state House, Leonard was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Genesee County and assistant attorney general. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard from DeWitt joins governor's race
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan House republicans propose ways to cut red tape
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan House republicans are releasing a report they say shows how to confront 'the problem of excessive state regulations, which create barriers and increase costs for skilled workers, small businesses, health care providers, and homebuilders.' In a news release, they claim, 'There is bipartisan agreement that Michigan should cut this unnecessary red tape. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for streamlining licensing and permitting during her State of the State Address in February.' On Thursday, a group of republican lawmakers with the House Rules Committee is releasing their Red Tape Reduction Initiative to 'lay out a plan for restoring common sense to Michigan`s state government.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
