Updates About Redistricting

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) concluded its deliberations on a redrawn Southeast Michigan State Senate map, selecting the Crane map through a ranked choice vote. This map, backed by commissioners from different political affiliations, garnered the highest points and will now be submitted to a federal judicial panel for final approval. Under the Crane map, the Commission outlined 16 likely Democratic seats, 15 likely Republican seats, and 7 swing districts across Southeast Michigan. Notably, the map avoids pitting incumbent senators against each other and includes districts predominantly centered around Detroit. Here are some key features of the Crane map:

• District 1: New Detroit seat in 2026, including River Rouge, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, and Southgate.
• District 2: New Dearborn seat in 2026, encompassing Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Allen Park, and half of Taylor.
• District 3: New Detroit seat with Hamtramck and Highland Park
• District 4: 56.8% Democratic Downriver district
• District 5: New Canton, Westland, Plymouth seat with a 60.6% Democratic base
• District 6: Detroit district with Redford Township
• District 7: New Southfield district
• District 8: Livonia/Northville/Farmington Hills-based district
• District 9: Rochester/Troy district including half of Sterling Heights
• District 10: Royal Oak district
• District 11: Safe Democratic district with the addition of half of Warren
• District 12: Will continue to be a 50/50 swing district
• District 13: Democratic district including Milford, Lyon, Lyon Township, parts of Novi, Waterford, and Commerce Township
• District 23: Solidly Republican district within Oakland County
• District 24: Solidly Republican district within Macomb County

The MICRC’s efforts follow Federal Court Orders to redraw the House and Senate maps due to constitutional concerns identified last year. The House map was approved this past spring. To see the map impacting 15 House dstricts, see FEDERAL COURT APPROVES DETROIT REDISTRICTING MAP.

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 Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission has laid out a comprehensive timeline to redraw Detroit’s state Senate districts, aiming for completion by late May. This follows a ruling deeming the previous maps unconstitutional due to violations of the Equal Protection Clause.

The proposed schedule includes public hearings in June to ensure community input, with a final map set for court review by June 27. Despite objections regarding the timeline’s duration and concerns about its potential disruption to commissioners with full-time jobs, the commission has voted in favor of the proposed schedule.