This Former Rep Funded a Nonprofit, Then Started Working There When She Lost

The revolving door in Lansing works like this: a politician funds a nonprofit with your money. When they lose office or retire, they are hired by that nonprofit. The same dynamic applies to lobbying firms that work with lawmakers, or businesses that receive corporate welfare from the state.

Revolving-door politics are a problem, because they call into question the integrity of the politician herself, and who she was really working for while in office. Was it the friends she funded who then hired her? Or was it the people?

Former Rep. Jaime Churches, who served one term in Lansing from 2023-24, is Exhibit A of the revolving door politics that House Republicans—and dozens of Democrats—have voted to end.

In 2024, first-time candidate Rylee Linting unseated Churches in one of Michigan’s tightest races, edging out the incumbent by just 2,305 votes.

Now Churches is back for the rematch. But how she’s spent her time out of office raises questions about the revolving door between power in Lansing and cushy jobs in the nonprofit sector.

As a lawmaker, Churches helped triple the funding for the Utility Consumer Participation Board, a state board where utility consumers advocate for lower rates. The board dates back to the 1930s.

Here’s how Rep. Mike Harris, a Republican from Oakland County, explained how the Democrats used their power, back when they controlled the House, Senate, and governor’s office: “During their trifecta, Democrats expanded the program and transformed it from a consumer advocacy tool into a funding stream for organizations aligned with their political and energy agenda.”

With “environmental justice” issues pushed to the fore, the board’s grants became a giveaway to left-wing groups.

One of the NGOs that benefited was the Michigan Environmental Council, which received $2.1 million.

After losing in 2024 to Linting, Churches promptly took a job at the Michigan Environmental Council, which she had just helped fund. On her financial disclosure, filed in May, Churches names Michigan Environmental Council as one of her employers, and herself as its finance director.

After losing in 2024 to Linting, Churches promptly took a job at the Michigan Environmental Council, which she had just helped fund.

A new house bill draws a line in the sand that lawmakers should not benefit from the NGOs they help fund. Both Democrats and Republicans see problems with such arrangements.

Section 2 of the bill all but mentions Churches by name.

It reads: “A former legislator, for not less than 2 years after leaving the legislature, shall not accept employment with an entity that receives a grant from the utility consumer participation board.”

Republicans hold a 58-52 majority in the 110-member Michigan House.

But the bill passed by an 88-15 margin. That’s enough to take immediate effect, if the Senate could follow suit. It would be a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail, to walk through that revolving door.