Latest news with #GretchenWhitmer
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Former Michigan House speaker joins increasingly crowded GOP primary for Michigan governor
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — A former GOP state lawmaker who served as speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives is joining a crowded bench seeking the Republican nomination for the 2026 gubernatorial race in the battleground state. Tom Leonard, who served in the state Legislature from 2013 to 2018, announced his bid for governor Tuesday. He joins three other Republicans in the state who are seeking the office and likely also the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Leonard ran for attorney general in Michigan twice, losing to Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel in the 2018 general election by 3 percentage points and to conservative attorney Matthew DePerno in the 2022 GOP primary. He served as the Michigan House chamber's top lawmaker from 2017 to 2018. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is now term-limited and cannot run again. Candidates from both parties — and one in between — have lined up to replace her. On the Republican side, Leonard joins the field that includes U.S. Rep. John James, former Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and state Senate Leader Aaric Nesbitt. The three have closely aligned their campaigns to Trump's 'Make America Great Again' vision. In a video advertisement announcing his campaign, Leonard focused on affordability and education. While the video showed a headline of Trump tapping Leonard as U.S. attorney in 2019, Leonard said, 'As President Trump protects his border, I'll have his back.' However, Leonard was never confirmed for the position due to objections from Michigan's two Democratic senators. On the Democratic side, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson are competing for the nomination. And finally, the longtime Democratic mayor of Detroit Mike Duggan is running for governor, but as an independent. Nationwide, midterm elections tend to favor the party not in power, which could boost the Democratic nominee in 2026. But in recent memory in Michigan, the governor's office has flipped to the opposite party every time there has been an open race.
New York Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Officials Investigate More Threats of Violence Against U.S. Politicians
Officials in at least three states said on Monday that they were investigating or prosecuting people for making threats against politicians, a day after the police in Minnesota arrested and charged a man over the assassination of a state lawmaker. In Texas, the authorities said that an armed man who threatened to harm lawmakers at the State Capitol had been detained. In Georgia, a man was arraigned after prosecutors said he threatened sexual violence against two United States senators. And in Virginia, a former Coast Guard officer was arrested and accused of making threats against President Trump online. Threats and violence against local, state and federal officials in the United States have become part of America's political landscape. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, a Democrat, was the target of a kidnapping plot in 2020, and a man bludgeoned the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022. President Trump was the target of two assassination attempts during his second presidential campaign. And in April, the home of Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was set on fire as he and his family slept inside. The Department of Homeland Security's annual assessment of threats to the United States said last year that politically motivated violence was among its top concerns for 2025. The number of concerning statements and direct threats against members of Congress alone more than doubled from 2017 to 2024, according to an investigation by the United States Capitol Police. The attacks in Minnesota on Saturday killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded another state lawmaker and his wife. The shootings led to a manhunt for the suspect, who was captured late Sunday and charged with murder. The police said he had a list of other potential targets, including politicians in several states. The two lawmakers were Democrats. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Michigan officials react to targeted shootings of Minnesota state Rep. Hortman, state Sen. Hoffman
Officials representing Michigan are sharing their thoughts following a "politically motivated" shooting early Saturday in Minnesota that killed a state representative and her husband, and injured a state senator and his wife. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a news conference that state Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home, and state Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette were shot around five miles away in their home in Champlin. Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman Photos from Minnesota State Legislature "The shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses is yet another horrific act in the continued rise of political violence in America," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a social media post on X Saturday afternoon. "We must call out this violence, no matter who it's aimed at or where it originates." Whitmer said in a reply to the post that the loss of Hortman and her husband "is a tragedy, and we are pulling for the recovery of Sen. Hoffman and his wife. This must stop." Democratic U.S Rep. Hillary Scholten of Michigan said the following on X: I'm horrified and heartbroken by the politically motivated assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Political violence is an attack on our democracy itself. It cannot be normalized. It cannot be ignored. We must all stand united against this. Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Michigan said Saturday's shooting "is a horrific and deadly act of political violence." President Trump said in a statement on Saturday that he's been briefed on the shooting. "Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law," Mr. Trump said. Investigators say they believe the suspect was dressed in a manner to appear like a police officer. Federal and local officials were searching for that person Saturday afternoon.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan State hikes tuition 4.5%, but leaves wiggle room for legislative cap
LANSING — Students will pay a few hundred dollars more to attend Michigan State University for the 2025-26 academic year, but the exact amount is still in flux while legislators iron out the state budget. Trustees voted June 13 at a meeting in Traverse City to raise tuition 4.5%, but included language that will reduce that amount if the state budget includes a cap that is lower than that, the university said. The state Legislature typically determines a percentage cap that universities can increase tuition for in-state students by, and if an institution goes over that amount it is no longer eligible for millions in state funding. MORE: Michigan State trustees pause demolition of IM West, OK study to decide building's future Last year, that cap was 4.5%, and both Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate proposed that same cap for the coming fiscal year in their budget recommendations. However, the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives previously recommended a 3% cap, but the bill passed with a substitute that brought the cap to 4.5%. "If you've been reading or listening to the news this week, then you have heard of the threat of additional state appropriation cuts," said Trustee Sandy Pierce, who chairs the board committee of budget and finance. "State appropriations per resident undergraduate student has fallen by 44% since fiscal year 2000 when adjusted for inflation." The state's final budget may take some time to negotiate between the Republican-led House and the Democratic-led Senate. Lawmakers have a July target date to finalize it but the deadline is the end of the current fiscal year, on Sept. 30. MORE: MSU Board of Trustees approves hiring of AD Batt, extension for hockey coach Nightingale As of now, per semester base costs for undergraduate students from Michigan will increase by $399. Freshmen will pay $8,458 per semester, sophomores will pay $8,653 and most juniors and seniors will pay $9,642. Juniors and seniors from Michigan who are in the Eli Broad College of Business or the College of Engineering will pay $9,935 per semester. Undergraduate students from outside Michigan and international students will also see a per semester base rate tuition increase of $399. Freshmen and sophomores will now pay $22,150 and juniors and seniors will pay $22,818. Juniors and seniors who are in the Eli Broad College of Business or the College of Engineering will pay $23,127 per semester. Graduate students will see per-credit hour costs increase a similar rate, the university said. The university said in a statement that the budget allocates an additional $6 million to student financial aid. The University of Michigan raised its tuition rates June 12. In-state tuition and fees for undergraduates will increase by about $610, or 3.4%, for an annual rate of $18,346. Tuition and fees for nonresident undergraduate students will increase by $3,016, or 4.9%, for an annual rate of $63,962, according to information posted on the university's website. Contact Sarah Atwood at satwood@ Follow her on X @sarahmatwood. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Michigan State University increases cost of tuition 4.5%
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.
