Once again, Democrats have achieved a trifecta in Lansing.
Thanks to two special elections in blue seats, the Democratic Party has regained its majority in the Michigan House of Representatives, resulting in complete control of state government.
The lower house was tied at 54-54 for months following the resignation of two Democratic representatives who won mayoral elections in their hometowns.
Despite a disappointing Republican performance in the midterm elections, Republicans in Michigan faced significantly larger losses on Election Day 2022. Democrats gained control of both chambers of the state legislature, marking the first time in 40 years that the party held a majority in both chambers while maintaining its hold on the governor’s mansion.
The new majority used their perceived mandate to enact gun control laws and other liberal priorities in 2023. (RELATED: Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s Allies Tied To ‘Worst Economic Development Deal Of The Year’)
GOP lawmakers leveraged the subsequent impasse to push for bipartisan compromises and legislation. One of those bills was a government transparency package to make the state government’s legislative and executive branches subject to public record requests.
But Michigan Democrats are no longer obligated to heed their requests, as the Detroit Free Press explains:
Democrat Mai Xiong — a current Macomb County commissioner — won the 13th state House district’s special election with 65% of the vote against Republican Ronald Singer who secured 34% of the vote to represent part of Detroit and part of Warren, according to unofficial results.
Democrat Peter Herzberg — a current Westland City Council member — won 60% of the vote in the 25th state House district’s special election against Republican Josh Powell — who won 38% of the vote — and U.S. Taxpayer candidate Robert Stano who secured 2% of the vote, per unofficial results. Herzberg will go on to represent all of Wayne along with parts of Canton Township, Dearborn Heights and Westland.
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Herzberg said he’s excited to start moving Democratic priorities once he’s sworn in as a state lawmaker. “The new majority gives room for Democrats to move forward several pieces of legislation regarding labor, healthcare and so much more that [affect] working families,” he said in a Facebook post.
The Democratic victories in the state House races could end the legislative gridlock that has defined the tied chamber for the past several months. The pair of seats have sat empty since late November last year after former state Reps. Kevin Coleman of Westland and Lori Stone of Warren were sworn in as mayors of their respective hometowns.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) celebrated Tuesday’s victories as a win for the Biden agenda: “With tonight’s wins, Speaker Joe Tate and the Democratic majority can continue Democrats’ important progress in Michigan,” said its president, Heather Williams.
Despite the Republican Party’s underwhelming performance in the midterm elections, Donald Trump continues to lead President Biden in Michigan due to his support among working-class Michiganders who traditionally voted Democrat.
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Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C., metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.
