Sunday, July 26, 2026

2026 Michigan State House Elections

Last updated July 26, 2026.

All 110 seats in the Michigan house are up for election in 2026.  Republicans won a 58-52 majority in 2024, despite the gerrymandered state house map.  Rs controlled the house 2010-22.  

Michigan's 2022 state house map was drawn by Michigan's Independent Redistricting Commission.  The commission drew lines that split many counties and split Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and the Lansing area to benefit Ds.  Other districts have strange shapes for no clear reason.  

The commission drew many districts that combined parts of Detroit with neighboring suburbs to dilute black voters.  This resulted in a lawsuit where a federal court threw out the Detroit-area districts and had them redrawn.  The 2024 map has 8 black-majority districts based in Detroit/Southfield (4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 16, 18), up from only 6 in the old map.  There are three districts between 40% and 50% black (10, 12, 17).  Two districts are completely in Detroit.  These changes had minimal partisan impact, with only district 13 becoming competitive.





Interactive versions of the map are available at Dave's Redistricting and MICRC.

Michigan State House Map-Dave's Redistricting


In 2022, voters passed changes to Michigan's term limits law.  Limits of 6 years in the state house and 8 in the state senate were replaced with a total of 12 years in both houses of the legislature.  This was sold as limiting legislators' time in office, but the practical effect is that most legislators will stay in office longer.  

This year, no state representative is term limited.  After many cycles with 30-50 open seats, this year there are only 22 open seats.  One representative is running for congress (district 11), 13 for state senate (6, 15, 18, 22, 41, 54, 59, 78, 80, 84, 97, 101, 108), and 8 (2, 4, 5, 9, 31, 74, 89, 90) are just retiring.

With term limits being extended, two previously term limited legislators are seeking state house seats again in districts 2 and 15.

Past cycles (particularly 2014 and 2016) have seen many battles in R primaries between establishment and antiestablishment candidates.  In 2022, there were battles between Trump-endorsed candidates and establishment candidates.  This year, the primaries are relatively dull, with fewer open seats, fewer primary challenges, and not many contested primaries with a clear ideological divide.  Michigan Right to Life has made endorsements that may have an impact in some races.

Consider the districts in detail.  The election data for each district is 2022 and 2024 state house results (R-D) (excluding districts 1-14 for 2022), and the R candidates for President 2016 (P16), Attorney General 2018 (AG18), Governor 2018 (G18), President 2020 (P20) and President 2024 (P24).  (There was 1-5% of the vote for third party candidates in these races.)  Additional information on the races comes from RepublicanMichigander.

The 2022 map (Detroit area):


The 2024 map (Detroit area):

1. [S Detroit] Safe D
SH24: 18-82 P16: 10 G18: 9 AG18: 9 P20: 13 P24: 19
This district has a strong claim to be the most diverse in Michigan, and has successively had black, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Chinese, and black representatives.  Tyrone Carter (D) was elected in 2018.  Teddy Dorsette and Jermaine Tobey are also seeking the D nomination.  Valerie Whittaker will be the R nominee, as in 2024.

2. [Lincoln Park, Allen Park] Lean D
SH24: 42-52 P16: 45 G18: 38 AG18: 39 P20: 44 P24: 48
The downriver area has moved right under Trump, but is more D downballot.  Incumbent Tullio Liberati (D) is not seeking reelection.  His older brother, former rep (14-20) Frank Liberati, who is no longer term limited, is running again this year.  Allen Park City Councilman Gary Schlack and leftist minister Joanna Whaley are also seeking the D nomination.
Zacharia Ortiz will be the R nominee.

3. [Dearborn] Safe D
SH24: 28-68 P16: 23 G18: 20 AG18: 21 P20: 23 P24: 41
This district has a significant Middle Eastern population.  Community organizer Alabas Farhat was elected in 2022.  Othman Alaansi and Hussein Berry are also seeking the D nomination.  Gus Tarraf will be the R nominee.

4. [W Detroit] Safe D
SH24: 0-100 P16: 2 G18: 3 AG18: 3 P20: 4 P24: 6
Incumbent Karen Whitsett (D) is retiring.  She attracted attention due to some controversial comments and a moderate voting record.  She lost a race for Detroit City Council in 2025.  Krystal Larosa, Tyrus Monroe, staffer Anthony Stafford McDonald and teacher Regina Ross are seeking the D nomination.
Everett Davis is the R nominee.

5. [W Detroit, Oak Park] Safe D
SH24: 9-91 P16: 6 G18: 6 AG18: 6 P20: 9 P24: 11
Incumbent state rep (20-26) Regina Weiss (D) is retiring.  Candace Calloway, former Oak Park school board member Crystal Bailey and activist Soummer Moore-Crawford are seeking the D nomination.
Chris Venable will be the R nominee.

6. [Royal Oak] Safe D
SH24: 34-66 P16: 34 G18: 32 AG18: 34 P20: 32 P24: 33
Incumbent state rep (22-26) Natalie Price is running for state senate.  She was first elected in 2022 to district 5, a particularly absurd strip from Detroit to Oakland County.  It had a chunk of Detroit, slices through Oak Park to the mostly white suburb of Birmingham (with precincts from Southfield, Royal Oak, and Berkley).  The new district 6 is a much more reasonable district based in Royal Oak.  Consultant Charlie Gandy-Thompson, nonprofit activist David Lauer, and Royal Oak City Commissioner Melanie Macey are seeking the D nomination.
Mike Steger will be the R nominee.

7. [C Detroit] Safe D
SH24: 15-79 P16: 4 G18: 5 AG18: 5 P20: 7 P24: 18
Attorney Tonya Myers Phillips was first elected in 2024.  Seema Ahmad and Grant Oliver are also seeking the D nomination.  Reginald Moorer will be the R nominee.

8. [C Detroit, Ferndale] Safe D
SH24: 9-88 P16: 8 G18: 8 AG18: 9 P20: 9 P24: 11
Incumbent Helena Scott (D), a legislative staffer, was first elected in 2020.  Deanne Austin, Chris Gilmer-Hill, and Fedor Kinaya are also seeking the D nomination.  Two people are seeking the R nomination.

9. [downtown Detroit] Safe D
SH24: 7-93 P16: 4 G18: 4 AG18: 5 P20: 5 P24: 7
State rep (18-26) Joe Tate (D) was Speaker of the House 2022-24, but was pushed out of leadership after Ds lost their house majority.  He is retiring from office after briefly running for US Senate.
Nine people are seeking the D nomination, "Willie Burton, a three-time Detroit police commissioner; Anthony Eid, a former state redistricting commissioner; Darryl J. Ervin, a financial analyst; Arthur Harrington, a Wayne State law student; Bryant Hepp, a social worker and urban planner; Karriem Holman, an environmental justice advocate; Patricia Hurt of Detroit; Toni Mua, a community organizer and volunteer, and Rick Silva, who works in education."  Eid, a former "independent" Michigan redistricting commissioner, consistently tried to gerrymander Michigan's political maps in favor of democrats.
Michele Lundgren will be the R nominee, as in 2024.

10. [Grosse Pointes, Detroit] Safe D
SH24: 33-67 P16: 32 G18: 32 AG18: 34 P20: 31 P24: 30
The new district 10 includes most of the Grosse Pointes (a clear community of interest), but combines them with part of Detroit, making it unlikely that they can elect a candidate of their choice.  Harper Woods Council Member Veronica Paiz was first elected in 2022.  Andrew Cyburt and Ryan Nelson are also seeking the D nomination.  Peter Ochs will be the R nominee.

11. [N Detroit, S Warren] Safe D
SH24: 18-82 P16: 13 G18: 12 AG18: 13 P20: 16 P24: 18
State rep (22-26) Donavan McKinney is running for Congress.  Kimberly Fisher and Macomb County Commissioner Michael Howard are splitting D establishment support.  Activist Cranstana Brown Anderson is also seeking the D nomination.  Three people are seeking the R nomination.

12. [Eastpointe, Detroit, St. Clair Shores] Safe D
SH24: 30-70 P16: 31 G18: 28 AG18: 29 P20: 31 P24: 31
Kimberly Edwards (D), a Detroit resident, won a surprise upset over a Macomb D incumbent in 2022.  Brian Hakola and Randell Shafer are seeking the R nomination.

13. [E Warren, Roseville] Lean D
SH24: 46.3-50.8 P16: 49 G18: 41 AG18: 43 P20: 48 P24: 50
This was redrawn in 2024, adding Roseville and central St. Clair Shores.  The new district was close at the presidential level, but is more D downballot.  Macomb County commissioner Mai Xiong (D) was first elected in a 2024 special election.
Casey Armitage, Mark Foster, and school bus driver Julie Leonardi are seeking the R nomination.

14. [C Warren, Madison Heights] Safe D
SH24: 41-59 P16: 42 G18: 35 AG18: 37 P20: 41 P24: 43
Incumbent Mike McFall was first elected in 2022.  Minhaj Chowdhury is also seeking the D nomination.  The R nominee will be Larry Szyska.

15. [Dearborn Heights, W Dearborn] Safe D
38-62 44-56 P16: 39 G18: 34 AG18: 36 P20: 37 P24: 43
This district has a significant Middle Eastern population.  Incumbent state rep (22-26) Erin Byrnes is running for state senate.  Attorney Jalal Abdallah, Dearborn City Council member Leslie Herrick, and former R state rep (98-04) and D Wayne County commissioner (04-18) Gary Woronchak are seeking the D nomination.  Gary Gardner will be the R nominee.

16. [SE Livonia, Detroit] Safe D
22-78 22-74 P16: 23 G18: 20 AG18: 21 P20: 23 P24: 24
This district is gerrymandered to include part of Detroit and some swing areas in Livonia.  Stephanie Young (D) was first elected to a district entirely within Detroit in 2020.  Brian Duggan will be the R nominee, as in 2024.

17. [NE Livonia, Detroit] Safe D
31-69 30-70 P16: 31 G18: 29 AG18: 30 P20: 31 P24: 32
This district is gerrymandered to include part of Detroit and some swing areas in Livonia.  Laurie Pohutsky (D) is a progressive who was first elected to a swing district based in Livonia in 2018.  Ken Crider will be the R nominee, as in 2022.

18. [Southfield, Farmington] Safe D
20-80 21-79 P16: 19 G18: 18 AG18: 19 P20: 20 P24: 22
Incumbent state rep (22-26) Jason Hoskins is running for state senate.  Lathrup Village Mayor Kelly Garrett will be the D nominee.  Ryan Foster and Ronald Ulmer-Paul are seeking the R nomination.

19. [N Farmington Hills, S Bloomfield Twp] Safe D
33-67 35-65 P16: 33 G18: 32 AG18: 34 P20: 31 P24: 33
Farmington Hills City Council member Samantha Steckloff (D) was elected in 2020.  Brandon Young is also seeking the D nomination.  Kevin Hammer and Mitch Swoboda are seeking the R nomination.

20. [W Bloomfield Twp.] Safe D
43-57 46.8-53.2 P16: 43 G18: 39 AG18: 41 P20: 43 P24: 47
Political activist Noah Arbit (D) was elected in 2022.  Hermon Barbe and David Sullivan are seeking the R nomination.

21. [Novi] Safe D
42-56 43-56 P16: 45.3 G18: 43.4 AG18: 45.9 P20: 42.4 P24: 43
Novi city councilmember Kelly Breen (D) flipped this historically conservative seat D in 2020.  Ross Barranco will be the R nominee.

22. [W Livonia, Plymouth, Northville] Lean D
46-54 47.5-52.5 P16: 50 G18: 46.8 AG18: 49.7 P20: 47.2 P24: 47.2
Icumbent state rep (18-26) Matt Koleszar (D) is running for state senate.  Northville Board of Education Treasurer Lisa McIntyre will be the D nominee.  Pastor and teacher Casey Noce will be the R nominee.

23. [E Ann Arbor, South Lyon] Safe D
35-65 36-62 P16: 35 G18: 35 AG18: 37 P20: 34 P24: 35
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Washtenaw County area, Ann Arbor was split into four pieces.  This particularly absurd district has a slice of Ann Arbor, R-leaning Salem Township, South Lyon from Oakland County, and parts of Plymouth and Northville Townships in Wayne County.  Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Morgan was first elected in 2022.  Miriam Corvino will be the R nominee, after losing the R primary in 2024.

24. [Canton Twp] Safe D
39-61 40-60 P16: 41 G18: 37 AG18: 40 P20: 38 P24: 40
Ranjeev Puri (D) was first elected in 2020, and is now house D leader.  Allison Fuller will be the R nominee.

25. [Westland, Wayne] Safe D
37-63 41-59 P16: 40 G18: 34 AG18: 36 P20: 40 P24: 42
Peter Herzberg (D) was first elected in a 2024 special election.  Dawn Udell will be the R nominee.

26. [Garden City, Inkster, N Romulus] Safe D
32-68 34-66 P16: 32 G18: 27 AG18: 28 P20: 34 P24: 36
Teacher Dylan Wegela (D) was first elected in 2022.  Chris Dobis will be the R nominee.

27. [Trenton, Grosse Ile] Tossup
49.2-50.8 52.2-47.8 P16: 51.5 G18: 44.6 AG18: 46.7 P20: 51.3 P24: 53
The downriver area has many working class voters who have moved right under Trump.  Teacher and former state rep (22-26) Jaime Churches (D) was defeated by TPUSA activist Rylee Linting (R) in 2024.  This was one of four GOP pickups in 2024.  Jaime Churches is running again, and will be the D nominee.

28. [NE Monroe, Brownstown Twp] Lean R
51-49 54.4-46.6 P16: 51.5 G18: 43.4 AG18: 45.6 P20: 51.9 P24: 55
This is one of three districts that contain part of Wayne and Monroe Counties.  It is gerrymandered to stretch from Taylor (D) in Wayne to rural R areas of Monroe.  Nurse Jamie Thompson (R) was first elected in 2022.  Brownstown Township Supervisor Sherry Berecz will be the D nominee.

29. [Taylor, Huron] Lean R
51.5-48.5 55-45 P16: 51.6 G18: 44.3 AG18: 46.3 P20: 53 P24: 55
This is one of three districts that contain part of Wayne and Monroe Counties.  It is gerrymandered to stretch from Taylor (D) in Wayne to rural R areas of Monroe.  Sales manager James DeSana (R) was first elected in 2022.  Former magazine editor Darian Counts and warehouse operations manager Rich Li are seeking the D nomination.

30. [S Monroe] Safe R
63-37 65-35 P16: 57 G18: 53 AG18: 55 P20: 60 P24: 62
Army veteran William Bruck was first elected in 2022.  Omar Ferdin will be the D nominee.

31. [N Monroe, Belleville] Tossup
47.7-52.3 49.4-50.6 P16: 47.4 G18: 42.1 AG18: 44.1 P20: 48.8 P24: 50.5
This is one of three districts that contain part of Wayne and Monroe Counties.  It combines heavily D parts of Wayne with rural R areas of Monroe.  Incumbent state rep (22-26) Reggie Miller (D) is retiring.
Milan City Council member Shannon Wayne is the D nominee.  Small business owner Laura Perry is the R nominee.

32. [Ypsilanti] Safe D
21-79 22-78 P16: 22 G18: 20 AG18: 21 P20: 22 P24: 22
Ypsilanti Township Trustee Jimmie Wilson Jr. was first elected in 2022.  William Riney is also seeking the D nomination.  Two people are seeking the R nomination.

33. [S Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Twp] Safe D
25-75 26-74 P16: 25 G18: 24 AG18: 26 P20: 23 P24: 24
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Washtenaw County area, this district combines part of Ann Arbor with rural townships.  Legislative staffer Morgan Foreman was elected in 2024.  The R nominee will be Catherine Rogers.

34. [Lenawee] Safe R
62-38 64-36 P16: 57 G18: 53 AG18: 54 P20: 58 P24: 60
State rep (10-16, 24-P) Nancy Jenkins, who returned after the extension of term limits, is the R nominee.  She is unopposed after John Dahlgren, the 2022 and 2024 D nominee, was disqualified.

35. [Hillsdale, Branch] Safe R
73-27 74-26 P16: 69 G18: 64 AG18: 66 P20: 71 P24: 73
Teacher Jennifer Wortz (R) was elected in 2024.  The D nominee will be Jeff Cooley.

36. [St. Joseph, Cass] Safe R
66-34 68-32 P16: 63 G18: 59 AG18: 62 P20: 65 P24: 66
Steve Carra (R) was first elected in 2020.  He is a pro-Trump libertarian.  After congressman Fred Upton voted for impeachment in 2021, Carra announced a run against him, and was endorsed by President Trump.  Redistricting took Carra out of the new district, and added the base of Congressman Bill Huizenga, who ran for the seat.  President Trump then offered a "complete and total" endorsement of Huizenga.  While not explicitly un-endorsing Carra, this served to push him out of the race, and he chose to run for reelection.  Upton decided not to seek reelection.
Carra won renomination in 2022 with only 40%, but won with 69% in 2024.  Constantine Township Trustee Max Coon and corrections officer Luke Lori, son of former state rep (08-14) Matt Lori, are also seeking the R nomination this year.  Carra is being targeted by Michigan's utility monopolies due to his skepticism about data centers.
Cole Slaski will be the D nominee.

37. [S Berrien, W Cass] Safe R
65-35 65-35 P16: 59 G18: 57 AG18: 58 P20: 60 P24: 61
This district lost the lakeshore and added more of interior Berrien County.  Teacher Brad Paquette (R) was first elected in 2018.  Steve Bury is also seeking the R nomination.  Angela Jones will be the D nominee, as in 2024.

38. [Berrien to Allegan lakeshore] Lean D
48.2-51.8 46.9-53.1 P16: 46.1 G18: 44.9 AG18: 46.5 P20: 44.6 P24: 45
This absurd district runs about 75 miles along the Lake Michigan shoreline from New Buffalo to Saugatuck.  It is barely a mile wide at one point.  Apparently, people who live close to a lake form a community of interest.  This district promotes "partisan fairness" since it favors Ds.  Joey Andrews (D), an AFL-CIO operative, first won this seat in 2022.
Farmer Mark Krieger will be the R nominee.
39. [Van Buren] Safe R
63-37 63-37 P16: 58 G18: 54 AG18: 57 P20: 60 P24: 61
This district lost the lakeshore of Van Buren and added parts of Berrien and Allegan.  Pauline Wendzel (R), a businesswoman who was first elected to a N Berrien district in 2018, won here in 2022.  Former Allegan County Commissioner Bill Sage, who was the R nominee for district 80 in Grand Rapids in 2024, is challenging Wendzel in the R primary.
Zachary Shinabargar and Kerry Tapper are seeking the D nomination.

40. [Portage, Oshtemo, Texas] Safe D
41-59 43-57 P16: 42 G18: 41 AG18: 44.6 P20: 40 P24: 40
This area was R-held until 2020, but moved left under Trump.  Dr. Matt Longjohn, who was the D nominee for congress in 2018, won this seat in 2024.  The R candidate is Robert Sitarski.

41. [Kalamazoo city] Safe D
21-77 22-76 P16: 23 G18: 22 AG18: 24 P20: 23 P24: 24
Incumbent state rep (20-26) Julie Rogers (D) is running for state senate.  Kalamazoo County Commissioner Jen Strebs has the most establishment support.  Attorney Jessica Swartz, who was the D nominee for congress in 2024, is also running.  Nicole Sabel will be the R nominee, after losing the R primary in 2024.
42. [rural Kalamazoo, Plainwell] Safe R
55-45 57-43 P16: 52.9 G18: 49.4 AG18: 53.2 P20: 52.6 P24: 54
Matt Hall (R) was first elected in 2018, defeating a moderate incumbent, and is now MI House Speaker.  He moved to Kalamazoo County from Calhoun County in 2022 after being put in the same district as Sarah Lightner (R) of Jackson County.  IT specialist Bill Korb and WMU professor Nick Rowe are seeking the D nomination.

43. [Allegan, S Barry] Safe R
71-29 72-28 P16: 67 G18: 64 AG18: 67 P20: 69 P24: 70
This absurd district includes the majority of Allegan County, southern Barry County, one township from Eaton County, and part of a township in Ottawa County.  Martin Township Clerk Rachelle Smit was first elected in 2022 with a Trump endorsement.   Alan Swank will be the D nominee.

44. [Battle Creek, Albion] Tossup
47.8-52.2 50.1-49.9 P16: 48.1 G18: 44.4 AG18: 47.3 P20: 49.4 P24: 51.3
This district was drawn in 2012 as a gerrymander to put the most D areas of Calhoun in one district to protect then-speaker Jase Bolger (R) in a neighboring district.  Incredibly, the redistricting commission maintained this gerrymander.  State rep (18-24) Jim Haadsma (D) was defeated by Calhoun County commissioner Steve Frisbie (R) by a very small margin in 2024.  This was one of four R pickups in 2024.  Jim Haadsma is running again, and will be the D nominee this year.
45. [S Calhoun, W Jackson] Safe R
68-32 70-30 P16: 64 G18: 59 AG18: 63 P20: 65 P24: 67
Sarah Lightner (R) was first elected in 2018 in a rural Jackson County district.  Randy Davis will be the D nominee.

46. [Jackson city] Tossup
54.4-45.6 52.1-47.9 P16: 48 G18: 44.4 AG18: 46.8 P20: 49.1 P24: 50.3
This district was gerrymandered by adding Chelsea in Washtenaw County and removing rural R townships.  Broadcaster Kathy Schmaltz (R) was first elected in 2022.  East Jackson School Board member Jan Maino will be the D nominee.

47. [W Ann Arbor, SW Jackson] Safe D
37-63 38-60 P16: 37 G18: 34 AG18: 36 P20: 37 P24: 37
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Washtenaw County area, this absurdly gerrymandered district combines part of Ann Arbor with rural townships in Jackson County.  Social work lecturer Carrie Rheingans was first elected in 2022.  Justin Griffis will be the R nominee.
48. [N Ann Arbor, SC Livingston] Safe D
46-53 47.1-51.5 P16: 48.1 G18: 44.6 AG18: 46.5 P20: 46.6 P24: 46.5
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Washtenaw County area, this absurdly gerrymandered district combines part of Ann Arbor with rural townships in Jackson and Livingston Counties.  Journalist Jennifer Conlin (D) was first elected in 2022.  Small business owner Brian Ignatowski is the R nominee, as in 2024.

49. [SE Livington, Wixom] Safe R
56-44 59-41 P16: 54.9 G18: 51.2 AG18: 53.7 P20: 53.2 P24: 54.2
Ann Bollin was first elected in 2018.  The D nominee will be former South Lyon Mayor Dan Pelchat.

50. [N, W Livingston] Safe R
67-33 68-32 P16: 65 G18: 59 AG18: 62 P20: 64 P24: 65
Marine veteran and pastor Jason Woolford defeated an R incumbent in 2024.  Cassie Canedo will be the D nominee.

51. [White Lake, Milford] Safe R
58-42 60-40 P16: 61 G18: 56 AG18: 58 P20: 59 P24: 59
Matt Maddock, an antiestablishment leader who is close to Trump, was first elected in 2018.  There are two candidates for the D nomination.

52. [Waterford, Independence] Safe R
59-41 62-38 P16: 59 G18: 53 AG18: 56 P20: 57 P24: 58
Police officer Mike Harris (R) was first elected in a 2022 special election, following the death of Andrea Schroeder.  There are two candidates for the D nomination.

53. [Pontiac, S Waterford] Safe D
33-67 34-68 P16: 30 G18: 28 AG18: 29 P20: 32 P24: 35
Brenda Carter (D) was first elected in 2018.  Robert Anderlie is also seeking the D nomination.  Melissa Schultz will be the R nominee, as in 2024.

54. [N Bloomfield, Auburn Hills, Orion] Tossup
51.2-48.8 52.4-47.6 P16: 51.2 G18: 48.4 AG18: 50.8 P20: 48.3 P24: 49.3
This is a rare example of a good draw for Rs (though not very compact), which puts shaky territory in Bloomfield Township with more R Orion Township to the north.  Incumbent state rep (22-26) Donni Steele is running for state senate.  Product analyst Roman Gaskey and former Oxford Township Trustee Jeffrey Omtvedt are seeking the R nomination.
Housing activist Sarah Pounds will be the D nominee.

55. [Rochester Hills] Lean R
51.8-48.2 53.7-46.3 P16: 50.9 G18: 48.2 AG18: 51.1 P20: 48.1 P24: 49.3
This historically conservative wealthy suburban seat has trended left under Trump.  Rochester Hills City Council member Mark Tisdell (R) first won a highly competitive general election in 2020.  Army veteran Alexander Hawkins will be the D nominee, after losing the D nomination in 2024.


56. [Troy] Safe D
42-58 43-57 P16: 45.1 G18: 42 AG18: 44.6 P20: 41.3 P24: 42
Marketing manager Sharon MacDonell (D) was first elected in 2022.  Ashok Baddi will be the R nominee.

57. [W Sterling Heights] Lean R
52.6-47.4 57-43 P16: 52 G18: 46.4 AG18: 48.4 P20: 53.1 P24: 57
Oakland County Commissioner and attorney Thomas Kuhn (R) was first elected in 2022.  Lawyer Tom Turner will be the D nominee.

58. [E Sterling Heights] Lean R
48.7-51.3 53.2-46.8 P16: 52.5 G18: 45.4 AG18: 48 P20: 52.1 P24: 55
Utica City Councilman Ron Robinson (R) defeated a D incumbent in 2024, one of four R pickups that year.  Community organizer Katrina Manetta will be the D nominee.

59. [Shelby Twp] Safe R
65-35 69-31 P16: 64 G18: 58 AG18: 61 P20: 63 P24: 65
Incumbent state rep (18-21, 22-26) Doug Wozniak is running for state senate.  Macomb County Commissioner (22-P) Sylvia Grot, who previously lost a close special election for the predecessor to this seat in 2022, has the most establishment support.  Police officer Matt Grubb and CPA Jean Zott, who also ran in 2024, are also seeking the R nomination.
Jason Pulaski will be the D nominee.

60. [Macomb Twp] Safe R
58-42 62-38 P16: 59 G18: 51.4 AG18: 55 P20: 58 P24: 61
Former Clinton Townshp Trustee Joseph Aragona was first elected in 2022.  Amy Gray will be the D nominee.

61. [Clinton Twp] Lean D
48-52 49.3-50.7 P16: 50.3 G18: 43.6 AG18: 45.8 P20: 49.5 P24: 51.7
Mount Clemens City Commissioner Denise Mentzer (D) first won this seat in 2022.  Mahbube Khan is also seeking the D nomination.  IT consultant John Grossenbacher and Chippewa Valley school board member Robert Wojtowicz are seeking the R nomination.  Both previously ran in 2024.

62. [Harrison Twp] Lean R
53.4-46.6 56-44 P16: 52.8 G18: 46.1 AG18: 48.2 P20: 52.7 P24: 55
Alicia St. Germaine (R) was first elected in 2022.  Phil Anosike, Craig Plesco, and Matthew Smith are seeking the D nomination.

63. [Chesterfield Twp, S St. Clair] Safe R
64-36 68-32 P16: 64 G18: 56 AG18: 59 P20: 65 P24: 66
St. Clair County Clerk Jay DeBoyer was first elected in 2022.  There are two candidates for the D nomination.

64. [E St. Clair] Safe R
61-39 61-39 P16: 58 G18: 49.5 AG18: 52.6 P20: 59 P24: 61
Incumbent Joseph Pavlov was first elected in 2024.  Ken Heuvelman will be the D nominee.

65. [W St. Clair, E Lapeer] Safe R
72-28 74-26 P16: 70 G18: 62 AG18: 65 P20: 71 P24: 73
Navy veteran and Richmond City Councilmember Jaime Greene was first elected in 2022.  There are two candidates for the D nomination.

66. [NE Oakland] Safe R
65-35 68-32 P16: 66 G18: 61 AG18: 63 P20: 65 P24: 65
Teacher Josh Schriver first won this seat in 2022 on a libertarian-leaning platform.  He attracted controversy for retweeting a meme about the 'great replacement'.  Ned Zimmer will be the D nominee.

67. [W Lapeer, NE Genesee] Safe R
61-39 64-36 P16: 58 G18: 50.2 AG18: 54 P20: 60 P24: 63
Phil Green (R) was elected in 2018 in a Tuscola/Huron County district.  Redistricting placed one township from Tuscola County in this district.  Green won an 8-way primary with only 25% in 2022.
He is being challenged by former radio host Sherri Cross, who previously lost R primaries for state house in 2018, 2020, 2022 (to Green, finishing seventh), and 2024.  Leslie Getz will be the D nominee.

68. [Burton, Davison] Lean R
55-45 54.5-45.5 P16: 52.5 G18: 45.5 AG18: 49.9 P20: 52.3 P24: 53.8
This area has moved significantly right under Trump.  David Martin (R), a county commissioner from Davison who upset an incumbent D in 2020 in a NW Genesee district, won this district in 2022.  Former Flint City Council member Matt Schlinker was the replacement nominee in 2024 after the previous D candidate died shortly before the election.  He is running again this year.  Former intern Isaiah Grays is also seeking the D nomination.

69. [W Genesee] Safe D
41-56 44-56 P16: 41 G18: 36 AG18: 40 P20: 42 P24: 45
Legislative staffer Jasper Martus was first elected in 2022.  Patrick Duvendeck will be the R nominee, as in 2024.
70. [Flint] Safe D
18-82 20-80 P16: 17 G18: 14 AG18: 16 P20: 19 P24: 22
Due to population loss in Flint, this district expanded from being contained within Flint to containing Flint and some suburban areas.  It has a black majority.  Cynthia Neeley (D) won a 2020 special election to replace her husband Sheldon Neeley after he was elected mayor of Flint.  Two people are seeking the Republican nomination.

71. [Shiawassee] Safe R
58-42 63-37 P16: 57 G18: 50.4 AG18: 56 P20: 60 P24: 61
Shiawassee County Sheriff Brian BeGole was first elected in 2022.  Stephen Schlaack will be the D nominee.

72. [Fenton, Grand Blanc] Safe R
58-42 61-39 P16: 55 G18: 49.6 AG18: 53 P20: 55 P24: 56
This district added some competitive areas near Flint.  It shifted slightly left, but is still safe.  Former police officer Mike Mueller (R) was first elected in 2018.  Thomas Ryan will be the D nominee.

73. [rural Ingham] Safe D
43-57 45-55 P16: 43 G18: 39 AG18: 43 P20: 44 P24: 44.5
This rural Ingham district lost Delhi Township and added part of East Lansing.  It is usually close, but never close enough for Rs to win.  Julie Brixie (D) was elected in 2018 to a district based in East Lansing and Meridian Township.  Three people are seeking the Republican nomination.

74. [S Lansing, Delhi Twp] Safe D
31-69 36-64 P16: 31 G18: 28 AG18: 31 P20: 31 P24: 32
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Lansing area, this district splits Lansing.  Incumbent state rep (18-26) Kara Hope (D) is retiring.  Teacher Aaron Iturralde, Lansing NAACP President Harold Pope, and Delhi Township Board member TyJuan Thirdgill are seeking the D nomination.  Clinton Tarver will be the R nominee.
75. [Meridian Twp, SE Clinton] Safe D
40-60 41-59 P16: 39 G18: 35 AG18: 40 P20: 38 P24: 40
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Lansing area, this district splits East Lansing and absorbs rural R areas.  Former Ingham County Commissioner Penelope Tsernoglou was first elected in 2022.  Frank Lambert will be the R nominee, as in 2024.

76. [Eaton] Lean D
44-56 47.9-52.1 P16: 47.9 G18: 42.9 AG18: 46.9 P20: 47.9 P24: 49.3
This district flipped several times over the past decade, and usually has close races.  Angela Witwer (D) was first elected with 50.8% in 2018 and was reelected with 51.2% in 2020.  Small business owner Bill Kaiser and John Ludtke are seeking the R nomination.

77. [N Lansing, SW Clinton] Safe D
38-62 40-60 P16: 37 G18: 33 AG18: 38 P20: 37 P24: 38
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Lansing area, this district splits Lansing and absorbs rural R areas of Clinton County.  Leftist activist Emily Dievendorf was first elected in 2022.  Sally Jo Nelton is the R nominee.

78. [Ionia, NE Barry] Safe R
66-34 69-31 P16: 62 G18: 56 AG18: 61 P20: 63 P24: 65
Incumbent state rep (22-26) Gina Johnsen is running for state senate.  Ionia County Commissioner Terence Frewen, Kaleb Hudson, activist Miguel Pilar, and school administrator Brandon Strong are seeking the R nomination.  Rachel Gross will be the D nominee.

79. [S Kent] Safe R
66-34 66-34 P16: 65 G18: 64 AG18: 67 P20: 63 P24: 63
This district has most of the southern tier of Kent, plus three townships from Barry and one from Allegan.  Angela Rigas was first elected in 2022 after securing the Trump endorsement.  The D nominee will be Zach Abbott.

80. [Kentwood, East Grand Rapids] Safe D
44-56 43-57 P16: 42.7 G18: 43 AG18: 46.1 P20: 39.8 P24: 40
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Grand Rapids area, this district lost several rural townships and added part of Grand Rapids.  Incumbent state rep (22-26) Phil Skaggs (D) is running for state senate.  Kent County Commissioner Kris Pachla has most D establishment support.  Lily Cheng-Schulting, a pro-Bernie Sanders activist who lost a race for this seat in 2020 and 2022, is running again.  Forest Hills School Board member Kristen Fauson is also seeking the D nomination.
Doug Lee will be the R nominee.

81. [NE Grand Rapids, Ada Twp] Safe D
44-56 43-57 P16: 45.5 G18: 43.3 AG18: 46.6 P20: 41.8 P24: 42
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Grand Rapids area, this district lost several rural townships and added part of Grand Rapids.  Kent County Commissioner Stephen Wooden (D) was first elected in 2024.  Holly DeBoer will be the R nominee.

82. [SE Grand Rapids] Safe D
25-74 25-75 P16: 24 G18: 25 AG18: 27 P20: 23 P24: 23
Grand Rapids school board member Kristian Grant was first elected in 2022.  Robert Womack is also seeking the D nomination.  Ryan Malinoski will be the R nominee again after losing in 2022 and 2024.
83. [Wyoming, SW Grand Rapids] Safe D
45-53 47-53 P16: 46.2 G18: 43.6 AG18: 45.9 P20: 44 P24: 45
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Grand Rapids area, this district lost heavily R Byron Township and added part of Grand Rapids.  Wyoming City Councilmember John Fitzgerald (D) was elected in 2022.  Cindy Ramirez will be the R nominee.

84. [W Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville] Lean D
44-56 45-55 P16: 47.5 G18: 43.8 AG18: 47.1 P20: 43.7 P24: 44
As part of an effort by the commission to elect more Ds in the Grand Rapids area, this district lost several rural townships and added part of Grand Rapids.  Incumbent Carol Glanville (D) is running for state senate.  Khristian Silvis is the District Director for U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten, and has most D establishment support.  Justin Rackham is also seeking the D nomination.
Former Grand Rapids City Commissioner Drew Robbins will be the R nominee.

85. [Jenison, Zeeland] Safe R
70-28 70-30 P16: 71 G18: 69 AG18: 72 P20: 67 P24: 66
Bradley Slagh was first elected in 2018.  John O'Brien is also seeking the R nomination.  Richard Abraham will be the D nominee.

86. [Holland] Lean R
56-44 56-44 P16: 51.7 G18: 51.4 AG18: 54.4 P20: 49.3 P24: 49.4
This Holland-area district has trended left, but is more R downballot.  Former Holland Mayor Nancy De Boer was elected in 2022.  Joseph McClusky will be the D nominee.

87. [Muskegon city] Safe D
38-62 38-59 P16: 37 G18: 34 AG18: 37 P20: 39 P24: 41
Will Snyder, district director for Rep. (16-22) Terry Sabo won here in 2022.  The R nominee will be Cody Chipman.

88. [Grand Haven, Norton Shores] Safe R
56-42 57-43 P16: 54.5 G18: 51.7 AG18: 55.3 P20: 53.7 P24: 53.3
Greg VanWoerkom, son of state senator (02-10) Jerry VanWoerkom, was first elected to the rural Muskegon district in 2018.  That district was chopped into three pieces, and he won this district in 2022.  Ethan Frasier is also seeking the R nomination.  Kiel Reid will be the D nominee.

89. [E Ottawa, SE Muskegon] Safe R
69-31 69-31 P16: 65 G18: 61 AG18: 64 P20: 66 P24: 66
Incumbent state rep (18-26) Luke Meerman (R) is retiring.  Ottawa County Commissioner (22-26) Joe Moss led the conservative group Ottawa Impact to win a majority on the Ottawa County Commission in 2022, ousting several moderate R incumbents.  The group had a turbulent two years in power, with numerous controversies, firings, and lawsuits.  The group lost its majority in 2024.  Moss has support from many antiestablishment conservatives across Michigan.  Businessman Patrick Kapenga is also running, and has more establishment support.
The D nominee will be Meegan Zickus.

90. [NC Kent] Safe R
62-38 65-35 P16: 60 G18: 57 AG18: 60 P20: 59 P24: 58
Incumbent state rep (20-26) Bryan Posthumus (R) is retiring.  Former rep. (18-20) Lynn Afendoulis lost a race for Congress in 2020 and lost as the R nominee in 2022 for district 81, which was redrawn to favor Ds.  She is now running in this district.  Farmer Jordan Youngquist, the R nominee in district 81 in 2024, is also running here.  Nurse Susannah Watts and Andrew Willis are also seeking the R nomination.
Rachel Crowther will be the D nominee.

91. [Montcalm] Safe R
68-32 72-28 P16: 64 G18: 58 AG18: 62 P20: 67 P24: 68
Pat Outman, the son of senator (18-P) Rick Outman, was first elected in 2020.  Frank Lafata will be the D nominee.

92. [Isabella, N Gratiot] Safe R
56-42 58-42 P16: 50.8 G18: 46.4 AG18: 50.2 P20: 53 P24: 55
This district is drawn in the way most beneficial to Ds.  While it keeps Isabella County whole, it includes northern Gratiot County, which is the most pro-D area in any of the five neighboring counties.  However, the district has been moving right.  Farmer Jerry Neyer (R) won this seat in 2022.  Activist Luke Del Castillo will be the D nominee.
93. [W Saginaw, S Gratiot, N Clinton] Safe R
64-36 69-31 P16: 62 G18: 57 AG18: 62 P20: 64 P24: 65
State rep (12-18, 24-P) Tim Kelly returned to this seat in 2024 after no longer being term limited.  He was nominated, but not confirmed for a position in the Trump administration and lost a campaigns for congress in 2020 and state senate in 2022.  Serenity Salak will be the D nominee.

94. [Saginaw city] Safe D
32-68 31-69 P16: 31 G18: 29 AG18: 32 P20: 32 P24: 34
Saginaw County commissioner Amos O'Neal (D) was first elected in 2020.  Don Sugg will be the R nominee.

95. [Midland] Safe R
61-39 64-36 P16: 57 G18: 55 AG18: 57 P20: 57 P24: 58
Former DIA officer Bill G. Schuette, son of former AG (10-18) Bill Schuette, was first elected in 2022.  Two candidates are seeking the D nomination.

96. [Bay County] Lean R
55-45 60-40 P16: 52.3 G18: 45.9 AG18: 48.8 P20: 53.7 P24: 55.4
Bay County was long a D stronghold, but it has been moving right.  Bangor Township School Board member Timothy Beson (R) defeated a D incumbent in an upset in 2020.  Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard will be the D nominee.

97. [E Saginaw, W Tuscola] Safe R
67-33 70-30 P16: 63 G18: 57 AG18: 60 P20: 64 P24: 66
This strange district neighbors four urban areas, and has an arm to take in rural areas between the tri-cities (Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City).  Incumbent state rep (22-26) Matthew Bierlein is running for state senate.  Army veteran Briar Bearss and Saginaw County Commissioner Mark Piotrowski are seeking the R nomination.  Two candidates are seeking the D nomination.

98. [the Thumb] Safe R
72-28 74-26 P16: 69 G18: 63 AG18: 66 P20: 71 P24: 73
Former Sanilac County drain commissioner and farmer Gregory Alexander was first elected in 2022.  Keith Brusseau will be the D nominee.

99. [Iosco, Arenac, Ogemaw, Gladwin] Safe R
68-32 71-29 P16: 65 G18: 58 AG18: 59 P20: 67 P24: 69
Au Gres Mayor and hunting store owner Mike Hoadley was elected in 2022 after securing a Trump endorsement.  David Forgione will be the D nominee.

100. [Mecosta, Osceola, Clare] Safe R
68-32 70-30 P16: 64 G18: 59 AG18: 62 P20: 67 P24: 68
Grant Township Board member Tom Kunse was first elected in 2022.  Tracy Ruell will be the D nominee.

101. [Newaygo, Lake] Safe R
68-32 70-30 P16: 65 G18: 60 AG18: 63 P20: 67 P24: 68
Incumbent state rep (22-26) Joseph Fox is running for state senate.  Small businessman Gary Anderson, agriculture worker Jaxon Deur, farmer Luke Eising, former Wexford County Commissioner Ben Townsend, and Grant School Board Trustee Rich Vance are seeking the GOP nomination.  Christopher Crain will be the D nominee, as in 2024.

102. [Muskegon to Manistee lakeshore] Safe R
61-39 64-36 P16: 56 G18: 53 AG18: 55 P20: 58 P24: 59
This district was assembled from pieces of three existing districts. State rep (16-18, 22-P) Curt VanderWall (R) spent one term (18-22) in the state senate.  When redistricting put him in a district largely represented by senator Jon Bumstead, VanderWall decided to run for state house in 2022 rather than challenge Bumstead or move to a different district.  This would be his final term.  Angel Coon will be the D nominee.

103. [Leelanau, Traverse City] Lean D
48.5-49.8 47-53 P16: 49.9 G18: 46.6 AG18: 49.5 P20: 46.9 P24: 45.7
This district is gerrymandered to combine Leelanau County with the Traverse City area in a way that is the best for Ds.  Grand Traverse County is split, even though it has the right population for a single district.  Grand Traverse County Commissioner Betsy Coffia (D), who previously lost races for state house in 2012, 2014, and 2016, narrowly beat an R incumbent in 2022, and is running again.
Edwin Dean will be the R nominee.
104. [S Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Antrim] Safe R
63-37 63-37 P16: 62 G18: 57 AG18: 60 P20: 62 P24: 62
The oddly shaped district contains parts of six counties but all of none.  John Roth (R) was first elected in 2020 and moved to this district to avoid a primary with another incumbent.  Mitchell Distin will be the D nominee.

105. [Roscommon, Crawford, Otsego, Missaukee] Safe R
69-31 72-28 P16: 66 G18: 61 AG18: 65 P20: 68 P24: 69
Incumbent Ken Borton was first elected in 2020.  Rachel Longendyke Teeter will be the D nominee.

106. [NE Lower Peninsula] Safe R
65-35 70-30 P16: 64 G18: 58 AG18: 62 P20: 66 P24: 66
Incumbent Cam Cavitt, first elected in 2022, is running again.  Two candidates are seeking the D nomination.

107. [Mackinac Bridge area] Safe R
57-43 61-39 P16: 58 G18: 54 AG18: 57 P20: 57 P24: 57
Incumbent Parker Fairbairn upset a GOP incumbent in 2024.  Melissa Perron and Brendan Ryan are seeking the D nomination.

108. [Menominee to Chippewa] Safe R
66-34 66-34 P16: 62 G18: 57 AG18: 58 P20: 64 P24: 66
Incumbent state rep (22-26) David Prestin is running for state senate.  Police officer Kurt Perron, who was previously a D candidate for state rep in 2018 and 2020, and an R candidate in 2022, is running as an R.  Menominee Mayor Casey Hoffman, who also ran in 2022, Menominee County Commissioner Larry Johnson, teacher Christopher Reynolds, Mackinac County Commissioner and Engadine school board member Daryl Schroeder, and Delta County Commissioner Steven Viau are also running.
Rachel Keys will be the D nominee.

109. [Marquette] Tossup
47-53 51.3-48.7 P16: 48.6 G18: 43.6 AG18: 45.1 P20: 48 P24: 49.5
Rs finally won this historically D district in 2024.  Weatherman Karl Bohnak won 51-49 in one of four pickups in 2024.  The D nominee is former Planned Parenthood employee Anna Aho Rink.

110. [W Upper Peninsula] Safe R
63-37 63-37 P16: 59 G18: 54 AG18: 55 P20: 59 P24: 61
Gregory Markkanen (R) won this historically D district in an upset in in 2018.  Brian Irizarry will be the D nominee.

Summary of Ratings:
Safe D: 43 (1, 3-12, 14-21, 23-26, 32, 33, 40, 41, 47, 48, 53, 56, 69, 70, 73-75, 77, 80-83, 87, 94)
Lean D: 8 (2, 13, 22, 38, 61, 76, 84, 103)
Tossup: 6 (27, 31, 44, 46, 54, 109)
Lean R: 9 (28, 29, 55, 57, 58, 62, 68, 86, 96)
Safe R: 44 (30, 34-37, 39, 42, 43, 45, 49-52, 59, 60, 63-67, 71, 72, 78, 79, 85, 88-93, 95, 97-102, 104-108, 110)

Thursday, July 09, 2026

2026 Michigan Election Preview

This post was last updated July 26, 2026.

Michigan's governor, congressional seats, and the entire state legislature will be up for election November 2026.

US Senate: Tossup
Senator Gary Peters is retiring after two terms.

Congresswoman (18-26) Haley Stevens is seeking the seat, and is the favorite of the D establishment.  Abdul El-Sayed was Detroit health director and ran for governor in 2018.  He is an Islamist running as a far-left progressive.  State senator (18-26) Mallory McMorrow dropped out of the race but will still be on the ballot.

The R nominee will be former congressman (00-14) Mike Rogers, who represented a Lansing-based district.  He was the R nominee for Senate in 2024, losing 48.3-48.7 to Elissa Slotkin.

Governor: Lean D
Governor Gretchen Whitmer is term limited.

Secretary of State (18-26) Joscelyn Benson is the leading D candidate.  Benson has attracted criticism due to her mismanagement of the SOS office, especially during the pandemic.  Genesee County Sheriff (20-P) Chris Swanson is also running.

Congressman (22-26) John James, who previously ran credible races for US Senate in 2018 and 2020, has President Trump's endorsement.  Businessman Perry Johnson previously ran for governor in 2022, but was disqualified due to signature fraud.  He ran a vanity campaign for president in 2024.  State senator (18-26) Aric Nesbitt and former Attorney General (02-10) Mike Cox dropped out of the race but will still be on the ballot.

Attorney General: Tossup
Progressive lesbian attorney Dana Nessel is term limited.  The D nomine is Washtenaw County prosecutor (20-P) Eli Savit.  He is a progressive prosecutor who vowed to "end the era of mass incarceration".

The R nominee is Eaton County prosecutor (13-P) Doug Lloyd.

Secretary of State: Tossup
Incumbent democrat Joscelyn Benson is term limited and running for governor.  The D nominee is Lieutenant Governor (18-26) Garlin Gilchrest, who does not have any experience administering elections.

The R nominee is Macomb County Clerk (20-P) Anthony Forlini, a former state rep (10-16).

Michigan Supreme Court Likely D/Lean D
Democrats currently hold a 6-1 majority on the court.  There are two full-term seats up for election on the Michigan Supreme Court. They are those of liberal incumbent Ds Megan Cavanagh and Noah Hood.  Cavanagh was first elected in 2018, and Hood was appointed in 2025.  The R nominees are Casandra Morse-Bills and Michael D. Warren Jr.

Other Statewide Offices
Two seats on the state Board of Education and boards of trustees of U of M, MSU, and WSU will be up for election. All seats up are held by Democrats. They have swept these elections in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2018, and 2022, while Republicans swept in 2010.  Incumbents are denoted with *. The candidates are
State Board of Education:
Republicans: Terence Collins, Bree Moeggenberg
Democrats: Judith Pritchett*, Tiffany Tilley* 
UM Board of Regents:
Republicans: Lena Epstein, Michael Schostak 
Democrats: Paul Brown*, Amir Makled
MSU Board of Trustees:
Republicans: Julie Maday, state senator (18-26) Roger Victory
Democrats: Brianna Scott*, Kelly Tebay*
WSU Board of Governors:
Republicans: Andy Anuzis, Christa Murphy
Democrats: Shereef Akeel, Naz Hassan 

Ballot Propositions
There will be a question on the ballot whether there should be a Michigan constitutional convention.  This is on the ballot every 16 years according to the Michigan constitution.

Michigan Congressional Seats
Michigan's congressional delegation is split 7R-6D since 2024. There are several competitive districts (4, 7, 8, 10) on the new map.

2026 Michigan Congressional Races

Michigan Senate
The Michigan state senate is up for election, and 18 have no incumbent due to term limits. Democrats currently hold a 20-18 majority.  There is a new district map in metro Detroit due to a lawsuit.  Districts 9, 12, 13, 30, 32, 35 are likely to be competitive.  There are several competitive primaries.

2026 Michigan State Senate Elections

Michigan House
All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives are up for election. Republicans won a 58-52 majority in 2024.  There will be open seats due to term limits and candidates running for other offices.  Both parties have potential targets to pickup.

2026 Michigan State House Elections

Kalamazoo County Judges:
8th District Court (4 positions):  Incumbent Kathleen Hemingway is unopposed.  Incumbent Namita Sharma was disqualified due to petition errors.  Mark Holsomback and Rachel Vinales are seeking two nonincumbent positions.

Friday, July 03, 2026

Michigan Right to Life endorsements

Michigan Right to Life has just issued its endorsements for the 2026 primary.  RTL has influenced a significant number of Michigan primary voters, so its endorsements will decide some races.  Following the passage of a pro-abortion referendum, some candidates are moderating their positions on abortion, and a larger number of incumbents have not sought (or not obtained) the RTL endorsement.  It remains to be seen whether RTL will have as much sway as in past cycles.

RTL will recommend all candidates if they are all pro-life, but if there is a serious non-pro-life candidate, they will pick one pro-life candidate to endorse.  Their noteworthy endorsements are listed below.  RTL has not issued many sole endorsements in contested primaries this year.

https://rtl.org/get-involved/elections/endorsed-candidates/

All three candidates for governor are endorsed.
No endorsement is listed for US Senate.

Congress: All Republican incumbents are endorsed.
10. All four candidates endorsed

State senate:  All Republican incumbents are endorsed.  For seats that are open or have no pro-life incumbent, we have the following.
4. Marcie Grzywacz
20. Kenny Clevenger and Chris Moraitis
22. Mike Murphy
23. Donni Steele solely endorsed.
24. Douglas Wozniak solely endorsed.
25. Three (all but John Mahaney) endorsed.
26. Matthew Bierlein, Daltson Atwell, and Gabriel Lossing
31. John Wetzel and Michael Markey Jr.
32. Kim Cole
33. All four endorsed
35. Jason Tunney solely endorsed.
38. both endorsed

State house: All Republican incumbents are endorsed except Brad Paquette, Matt Hall, Mike Harris, Mark Tisdel, Thomas Kuhn, Ron Robinson, Alicia St. Germaine, Mike Mueller and Karl Bohnak.  For seats that are open or have no pro-life incumbent, we have the following. 

31. Laura M. Perry
54. Roman Gaskey solely endorsed.
59. Sylvia Grot solely endorsed.
61. Robert Wojtowicz solely endorsed.
76. Bill Kaiser solely endorsed.
78. all four endorsed
89. both endorsed
90. Lynn Afendoulis solely endorsed.
97. both endorsed
101. Four (all but Luke Eising) endorsed.
108. Four (all but Kurt Perron and Steven Viau) endorsed.

2026 Michigan State Senate Races

Last updated July 3, 2026.

All 38 seats in the Michigan Senate are up for election in 2026.  Democrats currently have a 20-18 majority, which they won in 2022.  The Michigan state senate is up only in midterms, which don't favor Republicans they way they did prior to 2016.  Republicans lost two seats in the bad year of 2022.

Michigan's Independent Redistricting Commission drew a state senate map for 2022.  The commission drew lines that split many counties and split Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, and the Lansing area to benefit Ds.  The city of Detroit was split to reduce the number of black-majority districts from five to zero.  The commission created several competitive districts.

Michigan Redistricting: State Senate Map Approved


Interactive versions of the map are available at Dave's Redistricting and MICRC.

Michigan State Senate Map-Dave's Redistricting
Michigan State Senate Map-MICRC (old map)

2026 Candidate List (Michigan Secretary of State)

In 2024, a federal court found that many districts in metro Detroit were racially gerrymandered and struck down this portion of the map.  Districts 1-11, 13, 23, and 24 have been redrawn for 2026.  In particular, the new district 13 is more winniable for the GOP.

18 senators are term-limited.  Two senators are running for congress, one for governor, one for US Senate, and two just retired.  There will also be several interesting general election races. 

Michigan's term limits law was changed by constitutional amendment in 2022.  Previously, someone could serve up to 6 years in the state house and 8 years in the state senate.  This was changed to a total of 12 years total in the legislature.  Previously, many state reps ran for state senate when (or before) their six years was up, and usually almost all state senators were previously state reps.  Now, state reps can serve all 12 years in the state house, so fewer are running for state senate, and some districts have no state reps running.  Alternatively, three state reps did not seek reelection in 2024 so they would be eligible for two terms in the state senate, rather than one.

Consider the districts in detail.

Percentages are given for the 2022 election in districts that are unchanged.  The election data for each district is the R candidates for President 2016 (P16), Attorney General 2018 (AG18), Governor 2018 (G18), and President 2020 (P20).  (There was 1-5% of the vote for third party candidates in these races.)

1. [SC Detroit, Downriver] Safe D
P16: 17 G18: 15 AG18: 16 P20: 19 P24: 23
This seat is 48% black and 18% Hispanic.  Senator Erika Geiss is term limited.  Former state rep (20-24) Abraham Aiyash, who retired to be eligible to run for two terms, faces activist Justin Onwenu for the D nomination.  Patrick O'Connell will be the R nominee.

2. [Dearborn, Dearborn Heights] Safe D
P16: 38 G18: 32 AG18: 34 P20: 37 P24: 45
This seat has a significant Middle Eastern population.  Senator Sylvia Santana is term limited.  Activist Abbas Alawieh and state rep (22-26) Erin Byrnes are seeking the D nomination.  Harry Sawicki will be the R nominee, as in 2022.

3. [E Detroit] Safe D
P16: 3 G18: 4 AG18: 4 P20: 5 P24: 10
This seat is 78% black.  Stephanie Chang is term limited.  Former senator Adam Hollier, who ran for Congress in 2022 and 2024 is seeking the D nomination.  He is one of 11 candidates, along with Mohammad Alam, John Conyers III, LeJuan Council, former state rep (14-20) LaTanya Garrett, Korey Hall, Kimberly Hill Knott, Gary Hunter, Toinu Reeves, Abraham Shaw, and Eboni Taylor.  Mark Price is the R nominee.

4. [S Wayne] Safe D
P16: 45.9 G18: 40 AG18: 41 P20: 46.6 P24: 49
Senator Darrin Camilleri is running for reelection.  The R nominee is Marcie Grzywacz.

5. [Canton, Westland] Safe D
P16: 40 G18: 36 AG18: 38 P20: 39 P24: 41
State rep (18-26) Matt Koleszar is the D nominee.  Estelle Oliansky is the R nominee.

6. [W Detroit, Redford] Safe D
P16: 8 G18: 8 AG18: 8 P20: 9 P24: 10
This seat is 84% black.  Incumbent Mary Cavanagh, who once pled to 'superdrunk' driving is running for reelection.  She is being challenged for the D nomination by Stephen Jensen.  The R nominee is Joi Pokerwinski.
7. [Southfield, Pontiac, Bloomfield Hills] Safe D
P16: 29 G18: 29 AG18: 30 P20: 29 P24: 31
This seat is 38% black.  Incumbent Jeremy Moss is running for congress.  State rep (22-26) Jason Hoskins, businesswoman Shadia Martini, and surgeon Rakesh Ramakrishnan are seeking the D nomination.  The R nominee is Anthony Paesano.

8. [Livonia, Farmington Hills, Novi] Safe D
P16: 45 G18: 42 AG18: 44 P20: 42 P24: 43
District 5 incumbent Dayna Polehanki will run here.  The R candidate is Kenneth Massey.

9. [Troy, Rochester Hills, Sterling Heights] Tossup
P16: 50.6 G18: 46.7 AG18: 49.3 P20: 49 P24: 51.3
This suburban seat is 17% Asian.  It moved about 0.5% left in the new map.  Incumbent Michael Webber (R) is running for reelection.  Troy City Councilwoman Theresa Brooks, Oakland County Commissioner Brendan Johnson, and attorney Ren Nushaj are seeking the D nomination.

10. [Royal Oak, Madison Heights, W Warren] Safe D
P16: 33 G18: 29 AG18: 30 P20: 32 P24: 34
This seat is 42% black.  White incumbent Paul Wojno is term limited.  Mark Anthony Murphy, state rep (22-26) Natalie Price, and activist Amanda Treppa are seeking the D nomination. Michelle Nard will be the R nominee.

11. [E Warren, E Sterling Heights, Roseville] Safe D
P16: 46 G18: 39 AG18: 41 P20: 45 P24: 47
This seat is 20% black.  Incumbent Veronica Klinefelt (D) is running for reelection.  Joseph Hunt and Alysha are also seeking the D nomination.  Johnnie Townsend is the R nominee.

12. [Lake St. Clair shoreline] Tossup
49.9-50.1 P16: 52.2 G18: 46.4 AG18: 48.9 P20: 51.5 P24: 53
This district hugging the Lake St. Clair shoreline is actually a decent draw for Rs.  Unlike the congressional and state house maps, the Grosse Pointes are not drowned in a Detroit district.  
Incumbent Kevin Hertel (D) of St. Clair Shores is running for reelection.  Joseph Backus, Patrick Biange, who ran as a D for state house in 2024, small businessman John Goldwater, Algonac Mayor Eileen Tesch, and businesswoman Shelley Wright are seeking the R nomination.

13. [West Bloomfield, Commerce, Waterford] Tossup
P16: 49.2 G18: 44.6 AG18: 46.6 P20: 48 P24: 49.9
Ten years ago, this would have been an R district, but these upscale suburban areas moved left under Trump.  The remap moved this district 3-6% right.  Incumbent Rosemary Bayer (D) is retiring.  Former Oakland County deputy county executive Sean Carlson, who resigned under investigation, is running.  DC Anderson and small business owner Cecil George are also seeking the D nomination.  Former state rep (18-22) Ryan Berman is the R nominee.

14. [N Washtenaw, Jackson] Safe D
44-56 P16: 43.8 G18: 40.4 AG18: 42.4 P20: 43.9 P24: 45
In one of the outrageous pro-D gerrymanders on the map, Ann Arbor is split in half in an attempt to drown most of Jackson County in a D district.  Incumbent Sue Shink (D) is running for reelection.  Tawn Beliger is the R nominee.
15. [S Washtenaw] Safe D
26-74 P16: 27 G18: 26 AG18: 27 P20: 26 P24: 27
The rest of Washtenaw is safe for any D.  Incumbent Jeff Irwin is term limited.  Former state rep (20-24) Felicia Brabec, who retired in 2024 to be eligible to run for two terms, is running.  Michael White is also seeking the D nomination.  Jason Rogers is the R nominee.

16. [Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale] Safe R
65-35 P16: 60 G18: 55 AG18: 57 P20: 62 P24: 64
Incumbent Joe Bellino is running for reelection.  Deandre Barnes is the D nominee.

17. [S Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, E Calhoun] Safe R
65-35 P16: 62 G18: 58 AG18: 60 P20: 63 P24: 64
Trumpist conservative Jonathan Lindsey is running for reelection.  Ashleigh Baker, Mike Jones, and Brett Muchow are seeking the D nomination.

18. [W Calhoun, Barry, SE Kent, E Allegan] Safe R
62-38 P16: 59 G18: 55 AG18: 58 P20: 60 P24: 61
Incumbent Thomas Albert of Lowell is running for reelection.  The D nominee is Anthony Pennock.

19. [Kalamazoo, Antwerp Twp] Safe D
40-60 P16: 41 G18: 39 AG18: 42 P20: 40 P24: 41
Incumbent Sean McCann is term limited and running for congress.  The D nominee is state rep (18-26) Julie Rogers.  The R candidate is Shaun Young.

20. [N Berrien, Van Buren, W Allegan, SW Kent] Safe R
61-39 P16: 57 G18: 55 AG18: 57 P20: 57 P24: 58
Incumbent R leader Aric Nesbitt is term limited and ran for governor.  Casco Township Treasurer and Allegan GOP chair Kenny Clevenger has most support in Allegan County.  Attorney Chris Moraitis, son-in-law of former state senator (10-18) Tonya Schuitmaker, has the most support in Van Buren County.  Curtis Clark, who ran for congress with the Constitution Party in 2022 and 2024, is also seeking the R nomination.  Dale Murney is the D nominee.

21. [W Ingham, Eaton] Safe D
40-60 P16: 41 G18: 37 AG18: 40 P20: 41 P24: 43
In another outrageous pro-D gerrymander, Lansing is split, and East Lansing is put a into separate district.  Incumbent Sarah Anthony is running for reelection.  Josh Burns is the R nominee.
22. [Livingston, S. Genessee] Safe R
61-37 P16: 62 G18: 56 AG18: 59 P20: 61 P24: 61
Incumbent conservative Lana Theis is term limited.  Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy is unopposed for the R nomination.  Robert Hower is the D candidate.

23. [N Oakland] Safe R
P16: 62 G18: 57 AG18: 59 P20: 60 P24: 61
This district was redrawn to include R areas in north Oakland.  Incumbent Jim Runestad is term limited.  Moderate state rep (22-26) Donni Steele has most establishment support.  Small businessman Daniel Lawless is also seeking the R nomination.  Margarette Gupta and Greg Hill are seeking the D nomination.

24. [N Macomb] Safe R
P16: 62 G18: 55 AG18: 58 P20: 62 P24: 63
This district was redrawn to include R areas in north Macomb.  Incumbent Ruth Johnson is term limited.  State rep (18-21, 22-26) and former state senator (21-22) Doug Wozniak, who won a 2021 state senate special election for a Macomb-based seat, is running, and has most establishment support.  Wozniak deferred to Johnson in 2022 after redistricting put them in the same district.  He was succeeded in the state house by Terence Mekoski, a former police officer and Stop the Steal candidate.  Wozniak ran for state house and defeated Mekoski in 2022.  Now Mekoski is running this year.  Frank Borsellino and Edlira Sako are seeking the D nomination.

25. [St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron] Safe R
67-33 P16: 65 G18: 57 AG18: 60 P20: 66 P24: 68
Incumbent Dan Lauwers is term limited.  Former state rep (20-24) Andrew Beeler, who retired to be eligible to run for two terms, is running.  Also running is former state rep (18-22) Gary Eisen, who lost a redistricting-induced matchup with Beeler in 2022 and lost a comeback attempt in 2024.  Also seeking the R nomination are John Mahaney and former Mussey Township Supervisor Randy Schultz.  The D nominee is April Osentoski.

26. [Lapeer, NE Genessee, S Saginaw, W Tuscola] Safe R
62-38 P16: 59 G18: 52 AG18: 56 P20: 61 P24: 63
Incumbent Kevin Daley is term limited.  State rep (22-26) Matthew Bierlein, small business owner Daltson Atwell, James Graham, farmer Gabriel Lossing, and Candice Miller (not the former SOS) are seeking the R nomination.  Martin Cousineau and Brendan Johnson are seeking the D nomination.

27. [central Genessee] Safe D
36-64 P16: 36 G18: 32 AG18: 35 P20: 37 P24: 40
This seat is 29% black.  Incumbent John D. Cherry, the son of the state senator and LG of the same name, is running for reelection.  Bill Bain and Tammy Parillo are seeking the R nomination.

28. [East Lansing, Clinton, Schiawassee] Safe D
42-56 P16: 43.2 G18: 38.2 AG18: 43.9 P20: 43.6 P24: 44.5
This is the other half of the gerrymander that split East Lansing from Lansing.  Incumbent Sam Singh is retiring.  Ingham County Commissioner Mark Polsdofer is endorsed by Singh and has the most establishment support.  MSU professor Rashida Harrison, police officer Ted Kilvington, and Ingham County Commissioner Robert Pena are also seeking the D nomination.  Julie DeRose is the R nominee.

29. [S Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Kentwood] Safe D
40-60 P16: 37 G18: 37 AG18: 39 P20: 35 P24: 36
This district was held by an R until 2018, but Grand Rapids has zoomed left under Trump.  Incumbent Winnie Brinks is term limited.  State rep (22-26) Phil Skaggs will seek the D nomination, along with DSA candidate Ivan Diaz and East Grand Rapids City Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak.  Brady Middleton is the R nominee.
30. [N Grand Rapids, central Kent, NE Ottawa] Tossup
49.8-48.9 P16: 50.1 G18: 47.4 AG18: 50.6 P20: 47.1 P24: 47
Another gerrymander is splitting Grand Rapids between 29 and 30 to create a competitive district here.  Fortunately, the rural areas of Kent and Ottawa are still solidly R downballot, through the presidential numbers got much worse under Trump.  Incumbent Mark Huizenga (R) is seeking reelection.  State rep (22-26) Carol Glanville and activist Rickie Kreuzer are seeking the D nomination.

31. [Ottawa, Holland area] Safe R
62-38 P16: 61 G18: 60 AG18: 63 P20: 59 P24: 59
Incumbent Roger Victory is term limited.  Businessman John Wetzel has mostly establishment support.  Financial advisor and 2024 congressional candidate Michael Markey Jr. has a mix of establishment and grassroots support.  House washer Kevin Maas is also seeking the R nomination.  Keagan Host and Chris Kleinjans are seeking the D nomination.

32. [Muskegon, Lake Michigan coast] Lean R
53-47 P16: 49.6 G18: 46.4 AG18: 49.2 P20: 51.7 P24: 52.7
Incumbent Jon Bumstead is term limited.  Mason County Sheriff Kim Cole and frequent Libertarian candidate Max Riekse are seeking the R nomination.  College professor Rebecca Amidon is the D nominee.

33. [N Kent, Ionia, Montcalm, Newaygo, Lake] Safe R
66-34 P16: 64 G18: 59 AG18: 62 P20: 66 P24: 67
Incumbent Rick Outman is term limited.  State rep (22-26) Joseph Fox, state rep (22-26) Gina Johnsen, frequent candidate Tom Norton, and Katie DeBoer are running here.  Johnsen has the most establishment support, while Fox has some more grassroots endorsements.  Stan Opal is the D nominee.

34. [central Lower Peninsula] Safe R
64-33 P16: 60 G18: 55 AG18: 58 P20: 63 P24: 65
Incumbent Roger Hauck is seeking reelection.  Rhonda Lange is also seeking the R nomination.  Tyler Landgraf is the D nominee.

35. [Saginaw, Bay, Midland] Lean D
47-53 (38-60 in 2024) P16: 47.1 G18: 44.2 AG18: 46.4 P20: 47.6 P24: 48.9
This is another pro-D gerrymander, combining three mid-Michigan seats to make about the best district possible for Ds.  While all cities, Saginaw (blacks), Bay City (white working class), and Midland (upscale Rs) have little in common demographically.  A decade ago, this would have been safe D, but Bay County has moved right. Turnout in Saginaw and candidate quality have long been a problem for Ds.  Incredibly, despite D dominance of Saginaw County, Rs held its state senate district between 1990 and 2022.
Kristen McDonald Rivet (D) won a narrow victory in 2022.  She then was elected to congress in 2024.  This seat sat vacant for 16 months, as Governor Gretchen Whitmer refused to call a special election.  When it was finally held in May 2024, fire captain Chedrick Greene (D) defeated Jason Tunney 60-38.  Greene is seeking reelection this year.  Jason Tunney faces Chadwick Twillman for the R nomination in August.

36. [NE Lower Peninsula] Safe R
66-34 P16: 65 G18: 59 AG18: 63 P20: 67 P24: 68
Conservative incumbent Michele Hoitenga is seeking reelection.  Mark Yonkman is the D nominee.

37. [NW Lower Peninsula] Safe R
55-43 P16: 56 G18: 52 AG18: 55 P20: 55 P24: 55
Incumbent John Damoose is seeking reelection.  Kate Gallup and Mitchell Treadwell are seeking the D nomination.

38. [Upper Peninsula] Safe R
62-37 P16: 56 G18: 51 AG18: 53 P20: 57 P24: 59
Incumbent Ed McBroom is term limited.  Conservative former state rep (16-22) Beau LaFave faces his successor, state rep (22-26) David Prestin for the R nomination.  The D nominee will be Kelli Van Ginhoven.  Former state rep (16-22) Sara Cambensy (D) is running as an independent.

Summary of Ratings:
Safe D: 17 (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 19, 21, 27, 28, 29)
Lean D: 1 (35)
Tossup: 4 (9, 12, 13, 30)
Lean R: 1 (32)
Safe R: 15 (16, 17, 18, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38)

Wednesday, July 01, 2026

July 2026 Judiciary News

Nominations, Hearings, Confirmations:

Red states:  There are still 13 vacant district court seats without nominees in red states (two R senators), including three in Texas, two in OK and LA, and one each in AK, FL, MO, NC, ND, and TN.  

Calendar:  Bloomberg notes that the time to confirm nominations before the end of the year is quickly narrowing.

Calendar: Ed Whelan breaks down the judicial confirmation calendar.

Blue/purple states:  President Trump nominated two judges from blue (Michigan) and purple (Pennsylvania) states.  Both received blue slips from D senators will return blue slips, though this was not clear at the time of their nominations.

Blue Slip:  Michael Fragoso discusses the state of blue slip, and whether compromise is possible between senators and the White House.

Federalist Society:  Although President Trump has criticized the Federalist Society, most of his judicial nominees still have ties to the organization.

Trump nominees:  Michael Fragoso analyzes the qualifications of circuit court nominees in Trump's second term, and how they compare to nominees in his first term, and those of other presidents.

5th Circuit:  Kurt Engelhardt will take senior status.  He was appointed to ED-LA by W in 2001 and to the 5th Circuit by Trump in 2018.  Bloomberg listed several possible candidates for the seat; Anna St. John was later nominated.

ED-PA:  Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is the first D senator to return a blue slip for a Trump nominee in his second term.  He did so for nominee Antonio “Tony” Pozos, but has not yet decided whether to vote for him.

Nominations:
5th Circuit:  Anna St. John-clerk for Rhesa Barksdale (5th Circuit), Judge (ED-LA), President of the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute and Center for Class Action Fairness
ND-AL:  Gregory Cook-Judge (Alabama Supreme Court)

The Federal Judiciary:

At the end of the term, the Supreme Court issued rulings in several major cases, including gun ownership for drug users, asylum, refugees, concealed carry, independent agencies, transgender sports, and birthright citizenship.

Supreme Court:  Carrie Severino documents the left's extreme rhetoric against the Supreme Court, and violent threats against the court.

Temporary Judgeships:  Mike Fragoso examines a case concerning the constitutionality of temporary judgeships.

9th Circuit:  Judge Ryan Nelson smashed the glasses of a man in an altercation over a parking space.  He faces misdemeanor charges and a misconduct complaint.

Federal Circuit:  The US Supreme Court rejected a suit against the Federal Circuit's "temporary" suspension of Judge Pauline Newman, age 99, due to alleged disability.  Critics claim she is unable to fulfill her duties, but supporters say she is being mistreated due to her frequent dissents.  The Federal Circuit has suspended Newman for a three straight years.

ND-GA:  The 11th Circuit reprimanded judge Eleanor Ross for having sex in her office during work hours.  Her identity was kept secret in the report, but was later identified due to details in that report.

ED-MI:  Judge Thomas Ludington was sentenced to 6 months probation.  He pled no contest to operating while intoxicated after he crashed his car due to being 'super drunk' last fall.  He also faces  a misconduct complaint.

Vacancy Declarations:  There are now 40 current and future judicial vacancies.  New vacancies over the past two months are listed below.
WD-MO: David Kays (W) 5/11/27 (senior)
ED-WA: Thomas Rice (Obama) 12/26 (senior)
5th Circuit: Kurt Engelhardt (Trump) 12/31/26 (senior)

State Supreme Courts:

Connecticut:  Justice Joan K. Alexander will retire on August 1.  She was appointed by Ned Lamont (D) in 2022.  He nominated Melanie Cradle to replace Alexander.  She was nominated to the Superior Court by Dannel Malloy in 2013 and to the Appellate Court by Lamont in 2020.

Delaware:  Governor Matt Meyer nominated Morgan Zurn to the Delaware Supreme Court.  She clerked for Richard Andrews (D-DE), and has been a judge for the Delaware Court of Chancery since 2018.  Justice Karen Valihura (R) did not seek reappointment, and her term ends on July 25.

Georgia:  Three seats on the Georgia Supreme Court were elected on May 19.  Ben Land was reelected unopposed.  Two conservative incumbents won over D-backed challengers.  The results were
Charlie Bethel 51.2%, Miracle Rankin 48.8%
Sarah Hawkins Warren 61.3%, Jen Jordan 38.7%

Minnesota:  Governor Tim Walz (D) appointed Justice Theodora Gaïtas to replace Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, who will retire on September 30.  Gaïtas was appointed to the court by Walz in 2024.  Walz also appointed Ramsey County District Court Judge Reynaldo Aligada Jr. to replace Gaïtas.

Rhode Island: The Rhode Island Judicial Nominating Commission has selected five finalists for the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg.  The candidates include former House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi, which has raised controversy about whether he would violate a rule prohibiting legislators from immediately accepting a job with another state agency.  Rhode Island is the only state with lifetime tenure for Supreme Court judges.

Utah:  Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant will retire on August 31.  He was appointed to the court in 2000 by Michael Leavitt (R) and became chief in 2012.  Meanwhile, Justice Diana Hagen resigned following allegations of an affair with an attorney with business before the court.  She was appointed to the court by Spencer Cox (R) in 2022.

Utah:  Governor Spencer Cox appointed Jay Jorgensen and Stephen Dent to two new seats on the Utah Supreme Court.  Jorgensen clerked for Samuel Alito (3rd Circuit) and Chief Justice William Rehnquist.  He also worked for Wal-Mart and is currently senior counsel for the LDS church.  Dent clerked for  Robert Shelby (D-UT) and Scott Matheson (10th Circuit).  He is an AUSA (D-UT).  They were chosen from 12 finalists for the positions.

West Virginia:  Two seats on the West Virginia Supreme Court were elected on May 12.  Two recent appointees of Governor Patrick Morrisey were defeated for election.  Gerald Titus lost 26-31 to Kirk Kirkpatrick.  Tom Ewing lost 42-58 to Delegate Bill Flanigan (R).

History:

On Ed Whelan's Substack, "Confirmation Tales", recent posts deal with Barack Obama's Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor.
Lame Duck:  Mike Fragoso explains what happened in the 2024 lame duck session, which ended with a deal to confirm district court judges, while leaving open four appeals court seats.

Resources: