Zoe Clark
Political DirectorZoe Clark is Michigan Public's Political Director. In this role, Clark guides coverage of the state Capitol, elections, and policy debates. Her passion for understanding and explaining politics led Michigan Public to create the position in 2022 for the first time in station history. She offers regular on-air political analysis and hosts the November election-focused edition of Stateside on Fridays.
She co-hosted, with Michigan Public Radio Network's Senior Capitol Correspondent Rick Pluta, It’s Just Politics, a weekly look at Michigan politics. Clark regularly appears on WKAR’s Off the Record, WDIV’s Flashpoint and offers political analysis on NPR, PBS, and CNN.
Clark is an award-winning journalist, including the prestigious Peabody for overseeing the station’s first nationally distributed podcast Believed.
Clark previously was the station’s Program Director and is the founder and former Executive Producer of Stateside. She began at the station by producing Jack Lessenberry’s daily interviews and essays, and producing Michigan Radio’s Morning Edition.
Clark began her collegiate studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She holds degrees in Communication Studies and Political Science from the University of Michigan and lives in Ann Arbor, where she was born and raised.
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The “it’s complicated” relationship between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and President Donald Trump was on full display yet again this week in Michigan as the president came to, first, announce a new fighter jet mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base and, second, for his first 100-day rally in Macomb County. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointment of Michigan Supreme Court Justice-designate Noah Hood might have been more consequential if it flipped the high court’s majority. But that’s not the case. Rather, it takes the court from a majority of Democratic Party-affiliated justices to a 6-1 super majority. Why it matters. Plus, President Trump will visit Macomb County next week for a rally highlighting the first 100 days of his second administration. -
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee has authorized a subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson over unreleased election materials. A look into the rare use of a subpoena in Lansing. Plus, former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026. -
The Republican-led Michigan House Oversight Committee authorizes a rare subpoena targeting Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Plus, former Republican Attorney General Mike Cox announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026. -
Governor Gretchen Whitmer traveled to Washington D.C. this week and got ambushed by President Donald Trump in the Oval Office. But, is Whitmer making a smart political bet that Americans want more politicians working together across the aisle? -
Lawmakers are heading back to the state Capitol from their spring recess after the first three months of divided power in Lansing. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta take a look at what was done in the first 90 days. Plus, Republican Congressman John James announces he’s running for Michigan governor in 2026. -
Michigan Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel voted the bills off the island, but didn’t send a boat. -
Nine bills passed in last session’s legislature remain in legislative limbo as House Republicans defy a court ruling to send the bills to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to sign or veto. Plus, the latest on Trump’s “Liberation Day.” -
There is an empty state Senate seat in Michigan's thumb region. No one currently represents the district because Governor Gretchen Whitmer has not yet called a special election. Some Republicans are saying she's playing politics with the 35th state Senate District. -
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan delivers his 12th and final state of the city address as he prepares for his 2026 independent bid for Michigan Governor. Duggan joins It’s Just Politics; plus, the politics surrounding an open Michigan Senate seat.
