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How did Michigan’s proud 1st Congressional District — home of defiant Yoopers and self-reliant Trolls — produce two major party nominees this year who have only tenuous connections to their respective peninsulas? How did Lt. Gen. (ret.) Jack Bergman of Watersmeet, a complete political unknown at the start of the year who had spent four […]

Incumbent officeholders at the state and federal levels are rarely defeated in Michigan, but there are other ways to get rid of politicians whom the citizenry decides for various reasons they don’t like. It’s important to note, though, that they hardly ever happen. At the local level, incumbents are often defeated. In this year’s Aug. […]

With less than a week to go before the Aug. 2 primary, what’s likely to happen in key races for the state House of Representatives, Democrat and Republican, in districts that are open (because of term limits) or where incumbents might be imperiled? Here’s a breakdown: 2nd State House: Former Rep. Bettie Cook Scott in […]

A little-noticed lawsuit has been filed in the state Court of Claims challenging the constitutionality of the $617 million financial rescue and restructuring plan for Detroit’s beleaguered public schools, and the plaintiffs appear to have a strong chance to be successful. Amazingly, those plaintiffs include the elected Detroit school board members, the Keep the Vote/No […]

Few Michigan politicians in the past half-century have had a more varied, productive life than former state Senator/Congressman John J.H. “Joe” Schwarz (R-Battle Creek), an otolaryngologist whose career in public service was almost an anti-climax to all that had gone before. Schwarz submitted himself to an hour and half-long videotaped interview on July 8 for […]

Thomas J. Cleary was 32 years old, married with six kids to feed, and out of a job through no fault of his own. Prowling the empty halls of the Hollister Bldg. on Allegan Street in downtown Lansing, he wondered, “How did I wind up here? Can I turn things around?” He did, and here’s […]

A lot of races, many candidates, a few polls, tons of speculation — but what are the ODDS on what will happen in coming days, weeks and months in Campaign 2016, particularly as it relates to Michigan? Here is The Ballenger Report’s morning line: Odds Hillary Clinton will win Democratic Presidential Nomination: 1-10 Odds on […]

Some political observers think so.  Republicans are in charge of everything in state government, they say, and if anything’s wrong and if you think the “country” is on the “wrong track,” well, the GOP must be to blame, right? So, take it out on Republicans at the polls. Is that really how voters are thinking? […]