Updates About Legislature

The Michigan House is experiencing a significant influx of primary challenges and former lawmakers seeking to regain seats as the state’s political landscape undergoes shifts due to redrawn districts and changes in term limits. Following the April 23rd filing deadline, it was revealed that 35 incumbent lawmakers face primary challengers in August, with seven additional seats opening as current legislators opt not to seek re-election. The redrawing of 15 Metro Detroit districts has also opened the door for new candidates pursuing a seat in the Michigan House.

Additionally, changes to legislative term limits approved in 2022 have enabled former lawmakers to run again, leading to a surge in filings from those hoping for a return to the lower chamber. This dynamic has set the stage for a lively primary season, with both Democrats and Republicans seeing increased engagement and competition in various districts. Lists of the current Members facing primaries are listed below. For more details about each seat and challenger, you may visit the 2024 Michigan Candidate Listing.

¶Michigan House Primary Challenges

• Rep. Tyrone Carter (D – District 1)
• Rep. Alabas Farhat (D – District 3)
• Rep. Regina Weiss (D – District 5)
• Rep. Natalie Price (D – District 6)
• Rep. Helena Scott (D – District 8)
  • Challenger: Former Rep. LaTanya Garrett (D)
• Speaker of the House Joe Tate (D – District 9)
• Rep. Veronica Paiz (D – District 10)
• Rep. Kimberly Edwards (D – District 12)
• Rep. Mai Xiong (D – District 13) Elected on April 16th special election
  • Challenger: Former Rep. Richard Steenland (D)
• Re. Mike McFall (D – District 14)
  • Challenger: former Warren Mayer Jim Fouts (D) in the 14th district
• Rep. Stephanie Young (D – District 16)
• Rep. Peter Herzberg (D – District 25) Elected on April 16th special election
• Rep. Dylan Wegela (D – District 26)
• Rep. Steve Carra (R – District 36)
• Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R – District 39)
• House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R – District 42)
• Rep. Matt Maddock (R – District 51)
• Rep. Donni Steele (R – District 54)
• Rep. Doug Wozniak (R – District 59)
• Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R – District 63)
• Rep. Josh Schriver (R – District 66)
• Rep. Phil Green (R – District 67)
• Rep. Cynthia Neeley (D – District 70)
• Rep. Brian BeGole (R – District 71)
• Rep. Kara Hope (D – District 74)
  • Challenger: Tom Izzo (no relation to the MSU basketball coach), who filed to run as a Republican
• Rep. Emily Dievendorf (D – District 77)
• Rep. Gina Johnsen (R – District 78)
• Rep. Carol Glanville (D – District 84)
• Rep. Timmy Beson (D – District 96)
• Rep. Joseph Fox (R – District 101)
• Rep. Ken Borton (R – District 105)
• Rep. Cam Cavitt (R – District 106)
• Rep. Neil Friske (R – District 107)
• Rep. Jenn Hill (D – District 109)
• Rep. John Roth (R – District 104)
  • Challenger: Conservative radio host “Trucker” Randy Bishop, who filed as a Democrat
• NOTEWORTHY: Former Rep. Tim Sneller (D) has filed to run against incumbent Rep. Dave Martin (R – District 68)

¶Legislators Not Seeking Re-Election

• Majority Floor Leader Abraham Aiyash (D – District 9)
• Rep. Andrew Beeler (R – District 64)
• Rep. Bob Bezotte (R – District 50)
• Rep. Felicia Brabec (D – District 33)
• Rep. Graham Filler (R – District 93)
  • Former Rep. Tim Kelly has filed to run in district 93 as a Republican
• Rep. Rachel Hood (D – District 81)
• Rep. Christine Morse (D – District 40)

The winners of the April 16 special election for the two House seats vacated by former Representatives Kevin Coleman (D-Westland) and Lori Stone (D-Warren) back in November were sworn in to the Michigan State House following the certification of the election results.

Representatives Peter Herzberg (D-Westland) and Mai Xiong (D-Warren) gave the House Democrats theirs two-seat majority back following their wins. Subsequently, the new members were given committee assignments. Herzberg will serve on the Transportation, Mobility and Infrastructure Committee, the Health Policy Subcommittee on Behavioral Health, the Agriculture Committee, and the Energy, Communications and Technology Committee. Xiong was assigned to the Insurance Committee, the Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee, the Education Committee, and the Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee.

Senate Democrats introduced the Michigan “Momnibus” package, comprising 10 bills aimed at addressing birthing inequities in the state. Led by the MI State of Birth Justice coalition, the legislation focuses on enhancing accountability for maternal health care providers and creating equity in birthing practices. Here are the key bills from the package:

SB 818 (Sen. Erica Geiss): Requires MDHHS to include published studies and reports on biased or unjust perinatal care and mandates health facilities to report maternal deaths. This bill also codifies the maternal mortality review team.

SB 819 (Sen. Erica Geiss): Requires the Michigan Department of Civil Rights to receive reports of obstetric racism and violence, utilizing patient-reported experiences. MDCR must provide a report to relevant health committees and agencies.

SB 820 (Sen. Mary Cavanagh): Mandates stabilization of laboring patients before termination of care and ensures hospitals allow patients to be accompanied by a partner, spouse, or doula. Hospitals must provide proof of policy to LARA.

SB 821 (Sen. Mary Cavanagh): Requires medical malpractice insurers to provide DHHS with information regarding perinatal care services policies.

SB 822 (Sen. Sarah Anthony): Allows individuals to detail life-sustaining treatment preferences if pregnant when an advance directive becomes effective.

SB 823 (Sen. Stephanie Chang): Amends the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include pregnancy or lactation status in the definition of “sex” and protect against discrimination.

SB 824 (Sen. Sylvia Santana): Requires a non-punitive plan of safe care when an infant is substance exposed.

SB 825 (Sen. Sarah Anthony): Adds licensed midwives to the state’s essential health provider loan repayment program.

SB 826 (Sen. Stephanie Chang): Establishes a scholarship program for low-income residents working toward certification as a doula.

SB 827 (Sen. Sylvia Santana): Mandates private payer reimbursement for licensed midwives.

These bills have been referred to the Senate Committee on Housing and Human Services for consideration. Additionally, Rep. Laurie Pohutsky is collaborating on legislation to license freestanding birth centers in Michigan.