The fight for the soul of a conservative county

Washington Post reporters Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley have made repeated trips to Ottawa County, Mich., since fall 2022. They have documented the ways a tumultuous moment for the nation’s politics and the Republican Party have shaken up this fast-growing, right-leaning county of about 300,000 people.

After two years of far-right rule in a Michigan county, one chance to change it

Divisive, Trump-style politics came to Ottawa County. Then moderate Republicans and some Democrats mobilized and fought back.

By Patrick Marley and Greg Jaffe, The Washington Post●

Can the exhausted, angry people of Ottawa County learn to live together?

Adeline Hambley’s employees at a county health department in Michigan saw her as their protection from political interference by conservative Christians on the county board. Then the board offered her $4 million to quit.

By Greg Jaffe, The Washington Post●

The pandemic is over in this Michigan county. The mistrust never ended.

Sierra Schuetz’s government job feeding the poor in conservative Ottawa County became a passion. Could it survive the suspicions that multiplied alongside covid?

By Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley, The Washington Post●

A sex educator in Michigan refused to be shamed. Then came the backlash.

Heather Alberda found her calling by speaking bluntly about sex in conservative Ottawa County. Her career was no match for the nation’s culture wars.

By Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley, The Washington Post●

In a thriving Michigan county, a community goes to war with itself

Ottawa County shows one of the building blocks of democracy consumed by ideology.

By Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley, The Washington Post●

In a county rife with conspiracy, a GOP clerk fights to win voters’ trust

Justin Roebuck sought to rebuild faith in the election system with a public forum. At the same time, the Ottawa County Patriots were raising new doubts.

By Greg Jaffe and Patrick Marley, The Washington Post●