2026 Special Election History

The state senate seat representing more than a quarter million Michiganders has been empty since January. Governor Whitmer has said she plans to call a special election, but to date she hasn't.

A lawsuit has been filed to pressure Governor Gretchen Whitmer to call a special election for an open state Senate seat.

The 35th state Senate district has been vacant since the beginning of the year. A special election could shift the balance of power in the chamber, with Democrats only holding a one-seat majority.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told WCMU recently that there will be a special election to fill the open 35th District State Senate Seat, which includes representation for Midland, Bay City and Saginaw.

"The governor has a lot of leeway and control over calling the election itself," Reporter AJ Jones told WCMU's All Things Considered host David Nicholas. "The constitution says the governor 'may call a special election.'”

Republicans in the Michigan statehouse have renewed calls for a special election in the 35th senate district following a comment by a Gov. Gretchen Whitmer staffer at a public meeting in Saginaw.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says her legal is still trying to determine when they will call a special election in state Senate district 35, which represents the cities of Midland, Bay City and Saginaw. It's been vacant since Jan. 3 after Kristen McDonald Rivet was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

The heads of multiple chambers of commerce say they want representation in the state Senate as lawmakers debate legislation related to the minimum wage and paid sick leave. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) resigned from the state Senate nearly a month ago.

State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) officially resigned from the legislature Friday to take her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She will represent Flint and the Tri-Cities in Washington.