LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan’s Senate is gearing up for a special election in 2025. In January, a seat is set to open up on the Democrat side of the chamber, and lawmakers are calling for the Governor to release plans to fill it.
State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet will leave Michigan’s legislature for Washington D.C. after winning her congressional race in November.
In a letter to the Governor, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt said It’s vital for the people in the Bay Region to have their voices heard without delay.
“People are tired of some of this partisan bickering. just want us to get to work and work on issues that matter to michigan.” Nesbitt said. “I think it’s time that we concentrate first and foremost on Michigan workers and Michigan families and Michigan students.”
Starting January 1, Democrats will remain the majority by just one seat. McDonald Rivet is the Democratic Senator for Michigan’s 35th district covering the northeastern lower peninsula.
The district has a tendency to swing from Democrat to Republican. If it stays blue, the balance will return to 20 Democrats to 18 Republicans. If the seat flips, there will be a 19-19 tie in the Senate that could interfere with activity in the legislature.
Michigan’s House had a similar situation earlier this year. Two districts held special elections, but in that case, the Representatives held the seats for just 8 months before facing reelection.
In this case, the next state Senate election won’t take place until 2026.
As the Senate Republican Leader, I am writing to respectfully request that you apply the same urgency to calling a special election for the soon-to-be-vacant seat in the 35th state Senate district as you did when two seats in the House of Representatives became vacant in November of last year.
– Letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senator Aric Nesbitt
To start the year, the Republican House of Representatives will work alongside the Democratic-led Senate and Governor Whitmer to set a new agenda and begin passing legislation.
Once the dates for the special primary and general election are called, the results will dictate what issues the legislature can address until both the House and Senate are on the ballot again in August and November of 2026.
