Current:Home > FinanceMichigan mayoral races could affect Democrats’ control of state government -FutureFinance
Michigan mayoral races could affect Democrats’ control of state government
View
Date:2025-04-12 10:10:49
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan who hold power in the governor’s office and slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature may be at risk of temporarily losing full control, depending on the results of two mayoral elections Tuesday.
Democrats currently hold a two-seat majority in the state House, and two of those representatives, Lori Stone and Kevin Coleman, are running for mayor in their own districts in suburban Detroit.
Coleman is running to become Westland’s mayor, while Stone is vying for the position in Warren. They both advanced to the Nov. 7 general election after the August primaries. If either wins Tuesday, they will be sworn into office after the election is certified, likely later this month.
The loss of two Democratic state representatives would put the state House in a 54-54 deadlock until special elections could be held for the seats. Democrats would still control the agenda, but they would no longer hold a voting advantage that has allowed them to pass high-priority items this year.
Under Michigan election law, the governor may call a special election in the representative’s district when a seat is vacated, or may direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election. The two representatives’ districts heavily favor Democrats.
Stone and Coleman will serve the remainder of their terms in the state House if they lose Tuesday. The entire Michigan House of Representatives will be up for election in next year’s November general election.
Democrats flipped both chambers in the Legislature while holding onto the governor’s office in last year’s midterms, giving them full control for the first time in 40 years. Since then, they’ve passed gun safety measures, further protected LGBTQ+ and abortion rights, and led Michigan to become the first state in 60 years to repeal a union-restricting law known as “right to work.”
But while Michigan Democrats sped through legislation to start the year, party unity has wavered in recent months.
Key legislation within a Reproductive Health Act package was cut recently over objections from a Democratic state representative, and some party members have also sided with Republicans in recent weeks on financial disclosure bills, saying they didn’t go far enough.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- House passes bill to add 66 new federal judgeships, but prospects murky after Biden veto threat
- Jimmy Buffett: 10 of his best songs including 'Margaritaville' and 'Come Monday'
- Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell dies at 56
- Prisoners in Ecuador take 57 guards and police hostage as car bombs rock the capital
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- What’s at stake when Turkey’s leader meets Putin in a bid to reestablish the Black Sea grain deal
- DeSantis super PAC pauses voter canvassing in 4 states, sets high fundraising goals for next two quarters
- Four astronauts return to Earth in SpaceX capsule to wrap up six-month station mission
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Steve Harwell, the former lead singer of Smash Mouth, has died at 56
Ranking
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Radio broadcasters sound off on artificial intelligence, after AI DJ makes history
- Lab-grown palm oil could offer environmentally-friendly alternative
- Alabama drops sales tax on groceries to 3%
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell in hospice care, representative says
- Nightengale's Notebook: 20 burning questions entering MLB's stretch run
- A week after scary crash at Daytona, Ryan Preece returns to Darlington for Southern 500
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Every Time Nick Lachey and Vanessa Lachey Dropped a Candid Confession
Jimmy Buffett's Cause of Death Revealed
As G20 leaders prepare to meet in recently flooded New Delhi, climate policy issues are unresolved
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
In the pivotal South Carolina primary, Republican candidates search for a path against Donald Trump
The US government is eager to restore powers to keep dangerous chemicals out of extremists’ hands
Jimmy Buffett's Cause of Death Revealed