MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – For Election Night, Upper Peninsula Democrats are watching the results roll in at the Landmark Inn. On the ballot in the U.P., all three State House seats are up for re-election.
Statewide, all 110 seats in Michigan’s House of Representatives are up for reelection. The current split is 56 Democrats to 54 Republicans, meaning just two districts flipping from blue to red could mean a transfer of power in the State House.
The 109th Michigan House district is a historically Democratic seat. Currently held by Jenn Hill (D- Marquette), Karl Bohnak is in the race to be the first Republican to hold the 109th seat since 1989.
As the Democrat candidate, Hill has the favor of most blue voters in Marquette City. During her first term, she worked on multiple pieces of legislation related to short-term rental taxes, the dark store loophole, and renewable energy. Some of that energy legislation has been seen as controversial, it makes solar farm citing a state-level responsibility, and some worry it will take away too much local control.
Karl Bohnak is a popular name and face across the U.P. He worked as a meteorologist at local TV stations and has remained a well-known public figure since stepping away in 2020. Because of the controversial solar citing laws, Republicans are confident they have gained enough support in rural counties to flip the seat for the first time in almost 40 years.
Incumbents Dave Prestin (R- Cedar River), and Greg Markkanen (R- Hancock) are ringing in Election Night with Republicans at the Up North Lodge in Gwinn. Both districts, the 108th and 110th, are predicted to stay Republican, but the 109th could be a seat that flips.
Tonight, the Democrats are also keeping an eye on the State Supreme Court, and National seats as well.
Aside from the presidency, Democrats are competing for a Congressional seat. U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced she would not be running for reelection in 2023. Democrats are looking to Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin to take Stabenow’s place as she runs against Republican Mike Rogers.
Two Justices on Michigan’s Supreme Court will also be elected tonight. Current Justice, Kyra Harris Boulden, has run her campaign with Kimberly Ann Thomas. The Two Democrat-endorsed candidates are facing Republican-backed Judge Patrick O’Grady and Representative Andrew Fink.
