Michigan Democrats make historic picks to lead Legislature

By JOEY CAPPELLETTI
Associated Press/Report for America

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats are ushering in a new era of legislative leadership by selecting Winnie Brinks as the Senate’s first female majority leader and Joe Tate as the first Black House speaker. The party won control of the Senate and House in Tuesday’s midterms. With Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer being elected for another four-year term it will be the first time since 1983 that the party controls all levels of power at the Capitol. Brinks told reporters Thursday that Democrats have “40 years of pent-up policy” and that they want to focus on the economy, education and further increasing reproductive rights in the state.