In Michigan, two special elections are set to take place on Tuesday, with Democratic lawmakers hoping to regain control of the state government by winning back the majority in the deadlocked Michigan House. The lower chamber has been tied 54-54 between Democratic and Republican lawmakers since November, when two Democratic representatives vacated their seats after winning mayoral races in their hometowns. The special elections in District 13 and District 25 will determine who controls the House in Michigan and set the tone for the upcoming November elections.
Democrats had previously flipped both chambers in the 2022 midterms, along with maintaining control of the governor’s office, to win a trifecta for the first time in 40 years. They used this majority to roll back decades of Republican measures and implement their party’s agenda. Since the House has been deadlocked, Republicans have been pushing for bipartisan legislation, like a government transparency package, but very little has been passed. Democrats have rejected a joint power-sharing agreement proposed by Republican House Leader Matt Hall multiple times over the past few months.
If both Democratic candidates win in the special elections on Tuesday, the party will regain control of the House through the end of the year. Each seat in the House will be up for reelection in November, so either party would need to win both seats to secure a majority. Mai Xiong, a Macomb County commissioner, is running against Republican Ronald Singer in District 13, while Peter Herzberg, a Westland City Council member, is facing Republican Josh Powell in District 25. Endorsements from Governor Gretchen Whitmer have been given to these Democratic candidates.
After the special elections, lawmakers are expected to shift their focus to the state budget, with a self-imposed July 1 deadline. Governor Whitmer has proposed an $81 billion budget that includes initiatives like free community college for high school graduates and preschool for 4-year-olds. Democrats have also been considering expanding the state’s hate crime law and enacting a comprehensive school safety package in response to the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School. A majority in the House would make it easier for them to push through these proposals, but time is running out as the lawmakers are set to take a summer break at the end of June.
Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra believes that Republicans have forced the candidates and Democrat committees to spend money to protect these seats in the upcoming special elections. He also expressed his belief that Republicans are more motivated than Democrats, regardless of the outcome of the elections. The special elections will not only determine the control of the House in Michigan but will also set the stage for the November elections, where Democrats hope to hold on to their majority. Lawmakers will soon begin campaigning for reelection in their districts, adding to the urgency of resolving the deadlock in the House.
