Republicans took the gavel in the Michigan House of Representatives, Detroit Democrat state Rep. Karen Whitsett said she won't caucus with her party, in part, because she doesn't want to fuel any concerns that she may leak confidential conversations with her Democratic colleagues to GOP House Speaker Matt Hall whom she called a friend.

Michigan Democratic state Rep. Karen Whitsett, who has criticized colleagues for being profoundly “disconnected” from voters, announced this week she would no longer be caucusing with her party. Whitsett cited her “close” relationship with Matt Hall,