Battle Heating Up Over Michigan State Senator Michigan Democratic Parter leaders are setting their sights on Republican State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. The Clark Lake State Senator represents the state's 16th Senate District covering parts of Jackson, Hillsdale, and Branch counties. Democrats claim Shirkey may have connections to Michigan militia groups. The push for an investigation comes after the Senator revealed during an interview in Jackson that he met with militia leaders before the alleged kidnap and murder plot against Governor Gretchen Whitmer. WXYZ-TV in Detroit reports the exchange was revealing to those who viewed the interview. During the September interview, Shirkey said, “The militia groups are getting a bad rap.”