Dems Take House, Senate In Historic Election Night

For the first time in 40 years, Michigan Democrats will hold control of the House, Senate and governor’s office with the party sweeping both legislative chambers.

Democrats will have control of the state House for first time since 2010 after outperforming Republicans in several battleground districts, including critical wins in Macomb County’s 58th and 61st Districts. And for the first time since former President Ronald Reagan’s administration, Democrats will control of the Michigan Senate, with unofficial results as of early Wednesday morning showing the party poised to take the chamber for the first time since 1984. They have at least 19 seats with a 20th highly likely.

In the House, Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) held on to his seat against Republican challenger Michelle Smith of Sterling Heights, and Denise Mentzer of Mount Clemens beat out Republican contender Mike Aiello. The Macomb County seats were the final two Democrats needed to take control.

Pending the results, the ascension to the majority by Senate Democrats would cap a stunning reversal for a party that was in a super-minority status barely four years ago. In 2018 the Democrats gained five seats setting up the current Republican 22-16 majority, with redistricting providing Democrats a path to Tuesday night’s huge victory.

“The overturn of Roe v. Wade reminded the nation that some of the most important, impactful policies come from right here in state legislatures. And when Michiganders turned to take a look at what was going on in their Capitol under longstanding Republican control, they knew it was time for a change,” Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) in a statement issued in which he declared his caucus had obtained the majority. “Tonight, they delivered that change, and we extend a whole-hearted ‘thank you’ to every voter, volunteer, and staff member who made this victory a reality.”