AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Michigan’s state house special elections
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in Michigan’s state house special elections
BY ROBERT YOONUpdated 10:34 AM MST, April 12, 2024Share
WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Democrats hope to restore their slim majority in the state House of Representatives on Tuesday when voters fill two vacant seats in suburban Detroit.
The chamber deadlocked at 54-54 in November when two Democratic members won mayoral elections. Democrats previously had full control of state government since the 2022 midterms, when they flipped the state Senate and the House and held on to the governorship.
In District 13, which includes parts of Macomb and Wayne counties northeast of Detroit, Democrat Mai Xiong faces Republican Ronald Singer. Xiong is in her second term on the Macomb County Board of Commissioners, where she represents parts of the city of Warren. She had the endorsement of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the Jan. 30 special primary. Singer is a mechanical engineer who ran unsuccessfully for this seat in the 2022 general election.
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In District 25, which includes the city of Westland in Wayne County west of Detroit, Democrat Peter Herzberg faces Republican Josh Powell. Herzberg, a member of the Westland City Council, defeated fellow councilmember Andrea Rutkowski in a five-way Jan. 30 primary, 36% to 30%. Rutkowski had Whitmer’s endorsement, while Herzberg was endorsed by Kevin Coleman, the new mayor of Westland, who most recently held the seat.
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Democrats are heavily favored in both contests. Former Democratic state Rep. Lori Stone, who last represented the 13th District before her election as mayor of Warren, defeated Singer in the 2022 general election with 67% of the vote. Coleman last carried the 25th District with 63% of the vote.
The winners will serve for the remainder of the year.
Here’s a look at what to expect on Tuesday:
SPECIAL ELECTION DAY
The special state House elections will be held on Tuesday. Polls close at 8 p.m. ET.
WHAT’S ON THE BALLOT
The Associated Press will provide coverage for the special elections in state House districts 13 and 25. On the District 13 ballot, Xiong is the Democratic nominee and Singer is the Republican nominee. On the District 25 ballot, Herzberg is the Democratic nominee, Powell is the Republican nominee and Robert Stano is the nominee for the U.S. Taxpayers Party of Michigan.
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WHO GETS TO VOTE
Any voter registered in the 13th or 25th state House districts may participate in Tuesday’s special elections.
DECISION NOTES
The 2022 general election provides a good indication of the challenge both Republican nominees face in the special elections.
In District 13, most of the district is located in Macomb County, where Singer received 40% of the vote. In Wayne County, which makes up about one-fifth of the District 13 electorate, Singer received only 3% of the vote.
In District 25, which is located entirely within Wayne County, the Republican nominee in 2022 received about 37% of the vote.
The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it’s determined there is no scenario that would allow the
