Honigman Capitol Report

Governor Delays Special Election Announcement

Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II expressed that both he and the voters in Michigan's 35th Senate District are prepared for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to announce a special election to fill a Senate seat that has been vacant for nearly five months. Gilchrist, who is campaigning for governor and was Whitmer's running mate in 2018 and 2022, serves as the president of the state Senate.  During an interview at the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual policy conference on Mackinac Island, Gilchrist acknowledged that the decision to call the election lies with Whitmer, but he anticipates it will happen soon, although he is unaware of the reasons for the delay. The seat became vacant when former state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet was sworn into the U.S. House on January 3, leaving the district without a senator for more than 145 days. This delay in scheduling a special election is the longest during Whitmer's tenure as governor, according to the Michigan Freedom Fund.  Michigan law grants the governor the authority to set dates for a special election when a legislative vacancy occurs. The 35th District, which includes parts of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties, was previously won by McDonald Rivet in 2022 by a margin of 6 percentage points over Republican Annette Glenn. The outcome of the special election is crucial as Democrats currently hold a narrow 19-18 majority in the Senate, and a Republican win could result in a 19-19 tie, giving Republicans veto power by withholding votes to prevent ties.  Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt and other Republicans have been urging Whitmer to schedule the election, criticizing her for failing the residents of Bay, Saginaw, and Midland counties. Gilchrist is also competing for the Democratic nomination for governor against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, with the primary election set for August 2026.

Committee News

House Budget Moving Forward

The House Republicans, led by Speaker Matt Hall, are preparing to pass a budget that includes a $12,000 per-pupil allowance, a $1 billion School Aid Reserve Fund, and $5,500 scholarships per year for Michigan high school graduates attending public universities. Hall, along with House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, has been reviewing budget earmarks to determine funding sources. The 20% increase in per-pupil allowance aims to enable school districts to hire more teachers, reduce class sizes, update textbooks, invest in technology, and improve school safety. The proposed scholarship will not replace the Michigan Achievement Scholarship but will remove the income eligibility requirement, offering $5,500 annually for four years to public university attendees and $2,750 for community college attendees, while maintaining the Michigan Reconnect program. Despite passing an appropriations bill labeled as a "government-shutdown prevention plan," the House has not advanced budget bills through appropriations subcommittees. Hall attributes the delay to the need for updated estimates from the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) rather than relying on January estimates.  He has suggested cuts to corporate handouts, arts and cultural grants, the COVID-19 task force, and vacant state jobs to fund roads within the May CREC estimates.  Hall anticipates the budget will be finalized well after July 1, emphasizing the importance of taking time to fund key priorities for Michigan residents.  Meanwhile, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony and House School Aid Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Tim Kelly are engaging in discussions with their Senate counterparts to advance the budget process.

Election News

Nessel has not Ruled out U.S. Senate Candidacy

Attorney General Dana Nessel has not ruled out the possibility of running for office in 2026, including a potential bid for the U.S. Senate, although her current focus remains on her duties and opposing President Donald Trump's administration. Nessel believes it is premature to announce a campaign 18 months before an election and will consider her options as time progresses. She expressed concerns about the integrity of future elections, emphasizing the need for aggressive action to ensure they are free and fair. Currently, four Democrats have announced their candidacy for the U.S. Senate. Nessel has been actively involved in legal actions against the Trump administration, joining other Democratic attorneys general in lawsuits to block various policies, including funding cuts to federal agencies and attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. She criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer's more conciliatory approach to Trump, questioning the president's reliability and good faith, especially in light of his administration's consideration of pardons for individuals involved in a plot to kidnap Whitmer. Nessel's office has filed 17 lawsuits, with eight resulting in preliminary injunctions, highlighting the federal government's willingness to violate contracts with the state. Additionally, Nessel has been involved in disputes with House Republicans over document requests related to the Flint water crisis. She has committed to providing documents in chronological order and has set a release date of June 17, while criticizing the political nature of the requests, which focus solely on her tenure and not on her predecessor's.

Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-4^th) is rumored to be launching a United States Senate campaign setting up a potentially competitive primary with former Congressman Mike Rogers. National interest has already begun to buzz around this potential candidacy with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy headlining a fundraiser for Congressman Huizenga. Two expensive primaries for a top seat in the nation will likely see investments from donors and dark money groups on both sides. Rogers' close loss in 2024 has many betting on his candidacy, but the sudden buzz behind Huizenga proves the path to the nomination may not be as easy as last cycle.

On Point

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