Updates About Legislature

A new report from AdImpact projects that in the next 14 months leading up to the 2026 Michigan midterm elections, $936 million is expected to be spent in political advertising. The open gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races are contributing factors to the considerable ad spending. Pending ballot eligibility for several petition initiatives could further intensify political expenses.

The U.S. Senate race to replace Senator Gary Peters (D- Bloomfield Township), is expected to be one of the most expensive upcoming races in the country. AdImpact reports that over $220 million was spent on Michigan’s 2024 U.S. Senate election, with projections for 2026 topping $500 million.

Heavy spending is likely in competitive state Senate and House districts, as well as the gubernatorial race. The Michigan Legislature races are predicted to be the second highest in the nation, with $56.9 million expected to be spent on advertisements. The race for governor, currently recognized as a toss-up, is forecasted to be the highest cost gubernatorial race nationwide with a projected $152 million. Compared to the 2022 cycle, similar competitive races drew $80 million.

The first half of 2025 has produced the lowest number of public acts during an active legislative session in Michigan history. Only six public acts have been signed into law, far below the nearly 200-bill average typically passed by mid-July. The only instances with fewer laws enacted were years when the Legislature didn’t convene at all. Prior to 1951, the Legislature typically met every two years, but even in years with brief special sessions, more was accomplished. For instance, during the Spanish-American War in 1898, lawmakers passed eight public acts in just 22 days. This sluggish pace has been attributed to the partisan standoff between the Republican-led House and Democrat-controlled Senate, with observers on both sides pointing to a breakdown in bipartisan cooperation and growing political polarization.

As Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) reaches her term limit in District 29, three Grand Rapids Democrats are emerging as frontrunners for the upcoming primary:

• Ivan Diaz: Former progressive Kent County Commissioner
• Rep. Phil Skaggs: Current Representative for House District 80 and former legislative director to then-Rep. David LaGrand (now Mayor of Grand Rapids)
• Rep. Kristian Grant: Current Representative for House District 82 and Grand Rapids-based real estate developer

In neighboring District 30, incumbent Sen. Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) is preparing to defend one of West Michigan’s last Republican-held Senate seats in a district that leaned narrowly Democratic in 2024. While Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids) is frequently mentioned as a potential challenger, she has not filed. The only declared Democrat so far is Richard Kreuzer, a former member of the State Board of Nursing.