iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

The debate over debates begins: John James challenges Jocelyn Benson to five debates in the race to be Michigan's next governor. Benson has so far accepted invitations for two debates.

021

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is campaigning for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson in Lansing. "John James is like a fancy sports car in a Michigan winter," Whitmer says. "Looks real sharp parked in the driveway, but the second there's slush on the road, no help at all."

041

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

"This is how you run a budget," Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear jokes as Democratic nominee for Michigan governor Jocelyn Benson selects two dozen cupcakes from Good Cakes and Bakes in Detroit. She selected eight flavors, three each.

010

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Democratic nominee for governor Jocelyn Benson references Abdul El-Sayed's tagline and says all Democrats are focused on corruption ("money out of politics"), affordability ("money in your pocket") and accessible healthcare (though she doesn't use El-Sayed's "Medicare for All").

180

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Democratic nominee for Michigan governor Jocelyn Benson is kicking off the general election with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, in Detroit today. They're holding a roundtable with small business owners at Good Cakes and Bakes.

021

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Haley Stevens endorses El-Sayed: "This was a thorough and rigorous campaign that brought out the full span of views within the Democratic Party — and that is why we have primaries," Stevens says.

132

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

AP makes it official: @abdulelsayed.bsky.social is projected to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Michigan. He addressed supporters at his watch party in Detroit around 1 am and will hold a press conference this morning.

030

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Supporters of Democratic gubernatorial nominee @jocelynbenson.bsky.social cheer after she got an early race call around 9 pm last night, and supporters of now-Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate @abdulelsayed.bsky.social await results around 1 am.

020

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Abdul El-Sayed will be speaking by no later than 1 am, his campaign says, as the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate remains too close to call. Haley Stevens also expected to speak soon from about 1.5 miles down the road.

2110

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Democratic candidate for attorney general Eli Savit is working the crowd at Abdul El-Sayed's primary election night watch party in Detroit as we await results.

070

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Michigan’s general election matchup for governor is set as AP calls the Republican gubernatorial primary for U.S. Rep. John James. It will be his third statewide race in eight years, this time taking on Democratic nominee Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

050

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Audience members at Abdul El-Sayed's primary election night watch party in Detroit chant "DON-A-VAN" and "WE WILL" as early results show progressive candidates Donavan McKinney and William Lawrence leading in their respective U.S. House primaries.

0152

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

The C-SPAN stream on display at Abdul El-Sayed's primary election night watch party in Detroit is showing an interview with Hasan Piker as he streams from the watch party.

020

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Democratic nominee for governor @jocelynbenson.bsky.social says Michiganders voted "because they are asking us to fight for them, to stand up for them, to fix what's broken for them." "Let's take tonight's landslide victory and let's deliver another one this fall," Benson says.

071

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Supporters at @jocelynbenson.bsky.social's primary election night watch party in Detroit react to an announcement that the race has been called for her.

081

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

AP calls the race: Jocelyn Benson will be the Democratic nominee for governor. Audience at her watch party doesn't seem to have realized the news just yet.

041

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

Audience at Abdul El-Sayed's primary election night watch party in Detroit applauds as the first results minutes after polls close in most of the state have him leading Haley Stevens 55.4%-39.1% with 1% of votes reported.

091

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

"You need to figure out who is going to be best for you," U.S. Rep. @jasmineforus.bsky.social says in Lansing while campaigning for MI-07 candidate @bridgetbrink.com. "You need to be very selfish, because elections are about what it is that somebody is going to do to serve you."

100

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed looks into the TV cameras and addresses AIPAC: "I know you're watching. You ought to burn your damn money." He says tax dollars should be spent in the U.S.: "We've got potholes that need to be filled here in Michigan. Eight years later, still need to be filled."

050

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed says he was outspent by Gretchen Whitmer and Shri Thanedar in 2018, like he's being outspent now by Haley Stevens, but was "two-to-one more efficient than the governor, three-to-one more efficient than a guy who's currently in Congress."

050

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Haley Stevens’ campaign sends out a press release using Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign logo and graphics to tout the “endorsement” of Mike Rogers after CNN reporting on Rogers’ private assessment of the field. Rogers says it “doesn’t matter which socialist survives the Democrats’ brutal primary.”

610115

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Once U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed finished speaking in Lansing, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders returned to the stage for a photo. AOC then left the stage before U.S. House candidate William Lawrence, who she has not endorsed, joined the others.

5539

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

"You know how many millionaires you can make for one billionaire? A thousand," Abdul El-Sayed says. "I don't know. I'd rather live in an economy that has 1,000 millionaires than one billionaire." He adds that billionaires make money "doing absolute jack shit."

0112

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

"We could use a little more public health. I don't know if I've heard the words 'explosive diarrhea' said more times," Abdul El-Sayed says. "You can barely breathe the air. The toilets are having a rough time. And I don't think it's a coincidence that RFK Jr. is health secretary."

061

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

"I don't want you to fall off of your chairs, because what I'm going to tell you has been described by some of our Republican colleagues as communistic, as far far left, as extremist," Bernie Sanders says before telling the crowd in Lansing that Abdul El-Sayed supports Medicare for All.

030

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

"You can't breathe the air, you can't eat a salad, you can't pay the rent," U.S. House candidate Will Larence says before Bernie Sanders and AOC take the stage at a rally with Abdul El-Sayed in Lansing.

031

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Saw cars from Maryland, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin in event parking near the Lansing Center today ahead of Bernie Sanders and AOC's rally with Abdul El-Sayed and William Lawrence. Can't say for sure where the drivers went, but seems the rally may be a regional draw.

120

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A group organizing opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center development in Mason, including billboards promoting City Council candidates and an effort to recall the mayor, is led by two Republican operatives who helped elect Tom Barrett. They don't live in Mason.

wkar.org

Tensions boil over amid astroturfing claim in Mason data center debate

For weeks, audience members opposing data centers have interrupted Mason City Council proceedings with shouting, laughter and groans.

100

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

Pete Buttigieg said the 24 hours he was separated from his children after a false report sent C.P.S. and Michigan State Police to his Traverse City home were “among the darkest hours of my life.” He said he “cannot describe the mix of rage and sadness” that his 4-year-old children were impacted.

michiganadvance.com

Pete Buttigieg says false CPS report temporarily separated him from his children • Michigan Advance

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his husband were temporarily separated from their 4-year-old children after a false report was anonymously filed with Children’s Protective Serv...

031

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Whitmer spoke at the university's undergraduate commencement ceremony last month, telling graduates she spent the happiest years of her life at MSU. “This is where it all started for me, and part of me will always be here,” Whitmer said.

001

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is taking herself out of a presidential race. No, not that one. A spokesperson for the term-limited governor said Whitmer is not interested in leading her alma mater, Michigan State University, even as some float her name.

wkar.org

Whitmer not interested in MSU presidency

A spokesperson for term-limited Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she is not interested in leading her alma mater, Michigan State University.

111

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer clarifies reports that she won't run for president in 2028. "I never thought I'd run for governor, so I should know better," Whitmer says. "Never say never." Whitmer says she doesn't want any distractions during her final year as governor.

010

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Former Transportation Secretary @petebuttigieg.bsky.social says the Gordie Howe International Bridge is being blocked from opening due to "corruption." "The craziest thing about this is Mexico was never going to pay for the wall, but Canada actually did pay for the bridge," Buttigieg adds. #MPC26

02310

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Former VP Mike Pence is asked how often he talks to his former running mate, President Donald Trump. "It's been a while," Pence says. #MPC26

010

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

Former VP Mike Pence says he first visited Mackinac Island as a kid — usually without issue. But he jokes that the last time he was here, the Secret Service missed the memo to leave the motorcade behind. He says this time he's traveling by horse-drawn carriage. #MPC26

010

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

In the past couple days, I've traveled on a plane, train, bus, car, boat and horse-drawn carriage. Going straight from the traffic of Times Square to the traffic of Mackinac Island is quite an adjustment. #MPC26

020

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan tells me he will vote in Michigan's open primary: "I vote every election, so I'll vote." The former Democratic mayor of Detroit said he "hadn't given any thought at all" to which party's primary he would vote in.

100

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

The Michigan Education Association is endorsing state Rep. Donavan McKinney over incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar in MI-13. The MEA also endorsed incumbent U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib over two primary challengers in MI-12 and Bridget Brink over Will Lawrence and Matt Maasdam in MI-07.

021

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Oakland University Trustee Colleen Ochoa Peters, the wife of retiring U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, has endorsed Haley Stevens to succeed her husband in the Senate, calling Stevens "our best shot to keep this Senate seat blue.” The senator has not made an endorsement.

001

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recalled participating in MSU traditions like the midnight scream and drinking Shark Bowls during her time on campus. But she said there's no single right way to experience college. “If you showed up, got involved, stayed curious and made friends, you did MSU right.”

michiganadvance.com

Whitmer speaks at MSU commencement as she prepares for her own period of transition • Michigan Advance

Whitmer speaks at MSU commencement as she prepares for her own period of transition

082

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shouted out Michigan State University's "handsome, buff mascot, Sparty" during her commencement address at her alma mater today. "Think about those poor students in Ann Arbor," Whitmer said. "They have a weasel for a mascot." Photos for @michiganadvance.com:

010

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer tells graduating MSU students two major events happened during her freshman year here: the Berlin Wall fell, and the first couches burned at Cedar Village. "I may or may not have been at one of those events," Whitmer says. "Let's just say I didn't have a passport."

101

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Press photographers won’t be allowed on the floor of the Breslin Center as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers MSU’s commencement address this week. University spokespeople declined to explain why policy changed since Justice Sotomayor, Dr. Fauci and others gave the speech in previous years.

143

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Haley Stevens capitalizes on CNN reporting about old tweets deleted by Mallory McMorrow. Stevens is the only candidate in the U.S. Senate primary who hasn’t been the focus of a KFILE story on deleted tweets (yet). He reported on Abdul El-Sayed’s deleted tweets last year.

020

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

“You cannot compare,” Blanche said. “It’s not fair to the American people, it’s not fair to the defendant, and it’s certainly not fair to the prosecutors to compare, ‘well, if you did it here, why didn’t you do it there?’”

000

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche didn’t rule out a federal investigation into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for an “86 45” emblem visible in the background of a virtual appearance she made in 2020, but he said specific facts must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

michiganadvance.com

After Comey indictment, acting AG leaves door open to Whitmer investigation over '86 45' • Michigan Advance

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could face a federal investigation into an “86 45” emblem visible in the background of a virtual appearance she made several years ago.

000

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Michigan Attorney General @dananessel.bsky.social is front and center cheering on New York Attorney General Letitia James at the Detroit NAACP Fight For Freedom Fund Dinner.

020

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

Inbox: Bernie Sanders will rally with @abdulelsayed.bsky.social in Detroit on May 3. It will be at least the third time Sanders and El-Sayed have campaigned together since last year, though one of those appearances was before El-Sayed launched his campaign for U.S. Senate.

0125

Andrew Roth @roththereporter.bsky.social · 20/04/2026

NEW: @abdulelsayed.bsky.social says he reached out to @haleyformi.bsky.social to let her know he disagrees with the way she was treated at the MDP Convention, calling it “unkind and unnecessary.” “That kind of treatment is unbecoming of the kind of politics we want to build,” El-Sayed said.

141