Judge orders Gov. Whitmer to respond to lawsuit over vacant Senate seat

Residents say Whitmer’s delay in calling special election has left 270,000 without representation for more than 200 days

LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan Court of Claims judge has ordered Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to respond to a lawsuit accusing her of violating the state constitution by failing to call a special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat.

The order, issued this week, sets a hearing date in the case brought by residents of Michigan’s 35th State Senate District. T…