Good morning reader, The city’s voter base was the most resounding in Michigan on where they stand on abortion rights and their solid support for the Democratic ticket including incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Several voters told BridgeDetroit that the COVID economic relief plans, shutdown protections and investments in public education and infrastructure were among the reasons they supported the Democrats. Turnout at the polls for Tuesday’s midterm surpassed projections for a series of high-profile races for several of the state’s highest offices. Detroiters embraced the ability to vote through absentee ballots and cast a record-setting 80,000 absentee ballots in the midterm and also strongly supported expanded access to voting. Bridge Michigan has you covered on the outcomes and analysis of the state’s top races and proposals including the story of how women grabbed the bag on Tuesday – winning three of the top statewide offices with leadership positions in a Democratically controlled legislature likely. Our partners at Chalkbeat will fill you in on who won seats on the board of the Detroit Public Schools Community District. City voters chose a newcomer, former board president and a pair of incumbents from a field of 18 candidates to fill four open seats. In other news: City Council approved a set of contracts that boost pay for Detroit’s starting police officers and provides for raises for some others. The city has struggled to recruit and retain officers based in part on competition from higher paying suburban departments. Tyrone Winfrey, a longtime educator and advocate for youth, died Saturday at 63. Winfrey, the husband of Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey, served as the executive director of community affairs for the Detroit Public Schools Community District. Next week BridgeDetroit will debut a new podcast on Black representation. Our newsroom will take a deep dive on what happened in the 13th Congressional District where Shri Thanedar was elected to represent some Detroiters who say his win represents a loss. The five-episode series grapples with what Black representation means today, with views from Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, candidates Portia Roberson, Adam Hollier and more about how John James, a Republican, newly elected to the 10th Congressional District, will be the only African American representative that Michigan sends to Congress. If you appreciate our work, please consider donating to our nonprofit newsroom. Sincerely, Catherine Kelly