Divided Republicans ready to rumble

Bridge Michigan Good morning reader, On paper, this is supposed to be a great election year for Republicans. But as delegates gather on Friday and Saturday for an endorsement convention, the party is riven with factions and the legacy of former President Donald Trump looms large, Jonathan Oosting writes. The gathering likely will advance preferred candidates for attorney general, secretary of state and other races, but nominees won't be official until August — and that means anything is possible. One thing to note: The party has grown so distrustful of elections that even its own convention will feature a system of hand recounts. In other news: A top GOP candidate for attorney general, Matthew DePerno, lost his latest bid for an audit of election results in Antrim County, a cornerstone of fraud conspiracy theories. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson — the subject of such voting conspiracies — won a national award Thursday for (wait for it) her handling of the 2020 election. Central Michigan University, beset with declining enrollment, has paused plans to build more student housing. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer released her plan to make Michigan carbon-neutral by 2050 by boosting recycling, increasing investment in electric vehicles and boosting land and water conservation measures. Our partners at BridgeDetroit break down the 13th Congressional District race, an uptick in COVID, and the quest for broadband equity in Detroit. Thanks so much for Bridge. Our nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom is funded by your generosity. We'd be honored with a donation. Have a great weekend. Enjoy the sun (while it lasts) - Joel Kurth See other newsletter options Donald Trump looms large as Michigan GOP braces for convention ‘battle’ This Saturday, Michigan Republicans will endorse candidates for attorney general, secretary of state and other posts — an event that could test the former president’s hold on the party. Your donation is matched! You read our newsletters because we deliver stories that matter to you and to our state. Will you help us keep delivering for Michigan in this important election year? Donations to our spring campaign are matched by the Herrick Foundation! Donate here DePerno loses another bid for Antrim County audit as court dismisses appeal Michigan Court of Appeals rules that the Republican candidate for attorney general presented no proof of ‘purported irregularities’ and instead ‘merely raised a series of questions.’ Jocelyn Benson honored for election leadership in Michigan The Secretary of State wins the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for her administration of the 2020 presidential election, which has been heavily criticized by Republicans. Citing cash crunch, Central Michigan University pauses new student housing CMU acknowledged that new housing is necessary as part of a larger strategy to attract new students following steep declines. But its board said Thursday “now is not the right time” to advance new housing plans given ongoing economic uncertainty. Michigan climate plan calls for EV incentives, faster renewable transition The Whitmer administration just released a roadmap of its effort to wean Michigan off fossil fuels by midcentury. Accomplishing the plan would require big changes at the state and within industries. Coronavirus Tracker | Cases, hospitalizations up again, remain far below peaks Click on the table below to see our full Michigan COVID-19 dashboard. Twitter Facebook Website Instagram Email Copyright © 2022 The Center for Michigan • 220 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197