Advocacy News – April 30, 2026
The stage is set for the August 4 primary — the opening round of what’s shaping up to be a highly competitive race for control of the Governor’s office, the state House and Senate, Michigan’s congressional delegation, and beyond.
Why it matters: 2026 is a high-stakes election year, with term limits forcing turnover across Michigan’s top offices. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will all leave their posts. Control of the Legislature is also on the line, with both parties competing for the gavel – and the power to set the agenda for the next two years (four in the Senate).
- In the Michigan House, Republicans aim to defend or expand their 58–52 majority.
- In the State Senate, Democrats are working to grow their narrow 19–18 edge.
Go deeper: Both parties are targeting swing districts and building their war chests. State political action committee (PAC) fundraising totals filed last week showed the Senate Republican Campaign Committee with $7 million cash on hand, while the House Republican Campaign Committee had $6.26 million. Meanwhile, the Senate Democratic Fund reported $4.8 million, and the House Democratic Fund reported $2.9 million. Key races to watch include:
- Michigan Senate:
- Senate District (SD) 9 – currently held by Sen. Webber (R), who is seeking reelection
- SD 12 – currently held by Sen. Hertel (D), who is seeking reelection
- SD 13 – open due to Sen. Bayer (D) not seeking reelection
- SD 30 – currently held by Sen. Huizenga (R), who is seeking reelection
- SD 32 – open due to term limits (R)
- SD 13 – open due to Sen. Bayer (D) not seeking reelection
- SD 35 – open due to resignation of Sen. McDonald Rivet (D) in 2025
- The special election for this vacant seat will be held on May 5, where voters will decide between Jason Tunney (R) and Chedrick Greene (D). Regardless of who wins, there will be rematch in November.
- Michigan House:
- House District (HD) 27 – currently held by Rep. Linting (R), seeking reelection, rematch from 2024 against former Rep. Churches
- HD 28 – currently held by Rep. Thompson (R), seeking reelection
- HD 31 – open seat, Rep. Miller (D) not seeking reelection
- HD 44 – currently held by Rep. Frisbie (R) seeking reelection, rematch from 2024 against former Rep. Haadsma
- HD 46 – currently held by Rep. Schmaltz (R), seeking reelection
- HD 54 – open seat, currently held by Rep. Steele (R) who’s running for State Senate
- HD 55 – currently held by Rep. Tisdel (R), seeking reelection
- HD 58 – currently held by Rep. Robinson (R), seeking reelection
- HD 61 – currently held by Rep. Mentzer (D), seeking reelection
- HD 109 – currently held by Rep. Bohnak (R), seeking reelection
- Gubernatorial:
- Voters will decide in the Aug. 4 primary which of the major party candidates will advance to the November general election ballot and join Mike Duggan, who is running as an Independent.
- Democrats will choose between Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson
- Republicans will choose between Mike Cox, John James, Perry Johnson, and Aric Nesbitt
- Voters will decide in the Aug. 4 primary which of the major party candidates will advance to the November general election ballot and join Mike Duggan, who is running as an Independent.
- Attorney General (AG) and Secretary of State (SOS):
- Candidates for AG and SOS were chosen at the Republican and Democratic endorsement conventions held this spring, setting up the November battle lines.
- Attorney General: Doug Lloyd (R) is facing Eli Savit (D)
- Secretary of State: Garlin Gilchrist (D) is facing Tony Forlini (R)
- Candidates for AG and SOS were chosen at the Republican and Democratic endorsement conventions held this spring, setting up the November battle lines.
- Congressional:
- U.S. Senate – Mike Rogers (R) is running unopposed while Democrats are in a heated, three-way contest between Abdul El-Sayed, Mallory McMorrow and Haley Stevens
- U.S. House – Races to watch include CD 3 (Congresswoman Scholten is running for re-election), CD 4 (Congressman Huizenga is running for re-election), CD 7 (Congressman Barrett is running for re-election), CD 8 (Congresswoman McDonald Rivet is running for re-election), and CD 10 (open)
What’s next: The MI Chamber is currently meeting with candidates and our Political Action Committee (PAC) Board is expected to make its first round of endorsements in key races in June. Please contact Wendy Block with questions at wblock@michamber.com.