The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to stay a lower court’s ruling that mandates Michigan’s redistricting commission to redraw political district maps for the Detroit area by spring. In response to the December 21 ruling invalidating 13 House and Senate districts in metro Detroit, the Michigan Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson hoped for a pause in the redrawing process while appealing the decision. The redistricting process follows a successful challenge by a group of metro Detroiters who argued that commissioners improperly used racial data to diminish the influence of Black voters.

The affected districts, deemed unconstitutional by a three-judge panel, include seven House districts and six Senate districts, all currently held by Democrats. Despite Jocelyn Benson’s request, the Supreme Court’s decision means the mapmakers are now required to deliver a draft of new House districts by February 2, aligning with the upcoming 2024 elections. The court will be approving new districts by March 29.

¶Affected Districts:

• House District 1 — Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit)

• House District 7 — Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit)

• House District 8 — Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park)

• House District 10 — House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit)

• House District 11 — Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods)

• House District 12 — Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe)

• House District 14 — Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit)

• Senate District 1 — Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor)

• Senate District 3 — Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit)

• Senate District 6 — Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Township)

• Senate District 8 — Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak)

• Senate District 10 — Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren)

• Senate District 11 — Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe)

Through a recent reshuffling of committee assignments announced by Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, several Democratic members have undergone changes in their committee responsibilities. Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), serving as the chair of the House K-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, has been relieved from four committees — Elections, Joint Capital Outlay, Transportation, and the appropriations subcommittee of the Department of Health and Human Services. Simultaneously, he has been added to Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection. Other changes include Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) being removed from Elections, and Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) being promoted to Vice Chair in Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection.

Following these changes, Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) was removed from the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee and the Department of Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) was removed from Economic and Community Development. Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) was removed from the Appropriations Subcommittee on Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Higher Education Subcommittee. She was added to the PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee. Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Keego Harbor) will replace Camilleri on Joint Capitol Outlay.

In a recent development, members of the Michigan Republican State Committee opposed to Kristina Karamo continuing as the chair of the Michigan Republican Party have elected former U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra to replace her. The anti-Karamo faction filed a lawsuit seeking her removal in accordance with Michigan Republican Party bylaws. However, Karamo has dismissed the group as illegitimate and has pledged to continue leading the party. The Trump team’s apparent involvement in the vote suggests a lack of support for Karamo. The decision awaits validation from the Republican National Committee, which will likely determine the legitimate chair before the winter meeting at the end of the month. The state committee also appointed former U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop as the party’s new general counsel.