May 13th-27th, 2025

Michigan Court of Claims judge Sima Patel has found that several abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period prior to undergoing the procedure, violate the Reproductive Freedom for All constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Other restrictions that she ruled against include requiring patients to receive state-directed counseling and limiting the abortion procedure to be provided only by physicians. Patel determined that these laws imposed unconstitutional burdens on patients seeking care. Under the ruling, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may now offer these services. Judge Patel’s rulings went into effect on May 13th.

Recently, the House Health Policy Committee unanimously voted out two bills aimed at improving how patient information is shared across Michigan’s health care system. HB 4037 and HB 4038 aim to create a centralized Health Data Utility and designate a portion of the Medicaid budget for operating costs. This new system would allow patient data to securely follow individuals through their entire health journey, from the ambulance to the hospital, to the doctor’s office or a rehabilitation facility. The bills also allow access to schools and foster care, decreasing the chances that pertinent medical information is omitted at every step in the patient care process. Patients would also have the autonomy to opt in or out with any Michigan providers.

The approved non-profit Health Data Utility would be the Michigan Health Information Network (MiHIN), which already services secure health data in the billions. Sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), the legislation now heads to the House floor with broad bipartisan support. While a similar proposal passed the House last session, the Senate was apprehensive about altering patient privacy protections and data security.

With new additions and recent drop-outs, the number of candidates running to replace termed-out Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) and retiring U.S. Senator Gary Peters seems to be ever-changing. Below is the updated list of contenders for each race:

¶Gubernatorial Candidates:

• Running as a Democrat:
  • Jocelyn Benson: Michigan Secretary of State
  • Garlin Gilchrist II: Michigan Lieutenant Governor
  • Chris Swanson: Genesee County Sheriff
• Running as a Republican:
  • John James: U.S. Representative (Shelby Township)
  • Aric Nesbitt: Michigan Senate Minority Leader (Lawton)
  • Mike Cox: Former Attorney General
• Running as an Independent:
  • Mike Duggan: Mayor of Detroit
• Party Affiliation Not Announced:
  • Anthony Hudson: Truck Driver (Genesee County)

¶U.S. Senate Candidates:

• Running as a Democrat:
  • Joe Tate: Former Michigan Speaker of the House, Current State Representative (Detroit)
  • Haley Stevens: U.S. Representative (Birmingham)
  • Mallory McMorrow: Michigan Senator (Royal Oak)
  • Abdul El-Sayed: Wayne County Health Officer (Ann Arbor)
• Running as a Republican:
  • Mike Rogers: Former U.S. Representative (White Lake)

See our full coverage of 2026 election news here.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently delivered her latest “Road Ahead” address in Flint, where she outlined a bold plan to position Michigan as a national leader in semiconductor manufacturing. With the critical role that chips play in everything from smartphones to national defense systems, this industry offers a long-term source of stability for Michigan’s economy.

Components of her plan include securing a semiconductor fabrication facility, commonly referred to as a “fab,” by the end of her term, and investing in skilled, lucrative jobs for Michiganders. Through these efforts, she hopes to attract other large manufacturing projects and eventually establish a complete semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem within the state. With existing investments from companies like SK Siltron and Hemlock Semiconductor already contributing to the state’s chip supply chain, the Governor sees a unique opportunity for Michigan to become a central hub in this high-tech sector.