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About Me
JAMES DAVID DICKSON
Independent Journalist
Bringing politics back to the neighborhood — documenting government, analyzing power, and making state and local decisions accessible to the people they impact.
From the People. With the People. Funded by the People.
Journalist
Independent Journalist and Podcast Host, combining reporting, commentary, and long-form interviews to analyze Michigan politics and culture.
Editor
Managing Editor (formal newsroom leadership role) Editor / Opinion Editor (political commentary and analysis) Podcast Editorial Host (content direction and topic leadership)
Political Commentor
He built his reputation reporting on elections, legislation, and civic issues, including a significant tenure at The Detroit News, where he covered Michigan political developments and public affairs.
Why subscribe?
Ever wonder why Michigan ticks the way it does? Why are Michigan Democrats the party of the girlboss? Why haven’t we had a Michigander elected president? Why does Michigan attract so many carpetbaggers? Why is Michigan always a swing state? Was the GOP really born in Jackson, Michigan, or is Ripon, Wisconsin stealing the spotlight?
These aren’t trivia questions—they’re the keys to understanding who we are, where we came from, and how we got here. Welcome to History of Michigan Politics, the blog and podcast that connects the dots between yesterday’s battles and today’s headlines.
Who are you, again?
I’m James David Dickson. You know me as a Michigan journalist and podcaster. You might not know that history was my first love. But whether I’m breaking news or unraveling history’s mysteries, I’ve learned one thing: there’s no such thing as “common knowledge.”
When can we expect posts?
Every Monday, along with shorter posts throughout the week. It might be a photo, it might be a document, it might be a short story.
Participate in the comments section, and support this project with a PAID subscription.
EVERYTHING SUBSTACK
Follow James on Substack—his central hub for in-depth reporting, analysis, and podcast content, sent straight to subscribers.
As the Former Managing Editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential, a daily news site of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, James David Dickson talks about the National Popular Vote controversy on FOX2’s Let it Rip.