Updates About Elections

Last week, House Majority Floor Leader Byran Posthumus (R-Rockford) unexpectedly announced that he will not be seeking reelection to keep his seat in the next cycle.

In his statement, he wrote that he only planned to serve three terms after deciding to run in 2020. Posthumus was elected by his colleagues twice to serve as the House Floor Leader in his last two terms. By announcing his decision now, he hopes this will give sufficient time for a quality candidate to run in 2026.

Like Posthumus, his successor will represent the 90th House District. This northern Kent County district also encompasses the city of Rockford and the townships of Algoma, Alpine, Cannon, Courtland, Grattan, Plainfield, Sparta, Tyrone, and Vergennes.

Posthumus described his time in office as a privilege, saying it was an honor to serve both Kent County and the people of Michigan. He praised colleagues from both parties for what they were able to accomplish during his tenure. He also emphasized that despite their differences, both sides share a common goal of helping Michigan and its residents.

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II announced recently that he is dropping out from the Gubernatorial race where he has been campaigning for the spot as Michigan’s next Democratic Governor, alongside frontrunner and current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.

After bowing out of the race for Governor, Gilchrist announced that he is now seeking his party’s nomination for Secretary of State. His new opponents, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli, both criticized his decision in statements made on social media. Deputy Secretary of State Aghogho Edevbie responded by exiting the race and has since endorsed Gilchrist, urging party unity while also admitting that Gilchrist’s entry shrunk his own path to victory.

At the 2025 annual meeting for the Democratic Governors Association (DGA), our very own Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, was unanimously elected to serve as vice chair. DGA is a political organization that lends support to Democratic gubernatorial candidates and fellow governors.

The organization has tasked Whitmer with aiding key Democratic candidates in their 2026 gubernatorial campaigns nationwide. As Governor of a swing state, Whitmer stated that she intends to apply the same approach that she used here in Michigan: focusing on lowering costs and creating jobs. She will serve alongside DGA chair-elect Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who succeeded her as vice chair prior to Whitmer’s appointment.