By Kyle Davidson, Michigan Advance
August 29, 2025
Nearly eight months after U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) left her seat in the Michigan Senate to serve in Congress, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has called a special election to fill the vacant seat.
According to an announcement from the Executive Office of the Governor, Whitmer sent a letter to Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Friday calling for a special election, with the primary set for Feb. 3, 2026 and the general election set for May 5, 2026.
“Today, I am calling a special election for the 35th Senate District that represents parts of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties,” Whitmer said in a statement. “We have a lot of good work to get done before the end of next year. Michiganders want us to create jobs and grow the economy, invest in schools and boost literacy rates, and, of course, fix those damn roads. I look forward to working with the next state senator from this district to tackle these issues and more.”
The 35th Senate District is considered a key target for both parties, with major implications for Democrats’ razor thin majority in the upper chamber. In the months leading up to this announcement, politicians and officials on both sides of the aisle have called for a special election, with some emphasizing the more than 270,000 Michiganders left without representation in the seat.
“After months of unrelenting pressure from Republicans Governor Whitmer has come to her senses and realized denying the people of her state the right to vote is not going to help with her Presidential aspirations,” Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Porter Township) said in a social media post following Whitmer’s announcement, referencing widespread speculation that she is eyeing a 2028 run, though Whitmer has offered no such commitment.
Prior to McDonald Rivet’s departure, Democrats held a two person majority in the Senate. Should a Republican candidate take the seat in the general election, the chamber would be split 19-19.
While Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist can break the tie on any 19-19 vote, an absence from either party would result in a 19-18 vote, leaving Gilchrist without a tie to break. In order to pass through the chamber, any policy must receive a minimum of 20 votes.
With Republicans holding the majority in the House, a split Senate would further complicate the Democratic governor’s ability to advance her policy agenda.
However, Michigan Democrats say they are ready to expand their majority, and the state party is right beside them.
“Since the beginning of this Senate Democratic Majority, our caucus has delivered for everyday Michiganders – from passing the largest tax relief plan in state history to making sure no Michigan student goes hungry at school. This special election is an opportunity for us to expand our historic majority and continue that work,” Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks said in a statement.
Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Senate Democrats’ campaign chair said the special election is an opportunity to show Republicans their agenda is out of step with Michigan residents.
“Republicans have voted to cut funding to schools and healthcare all while continuously siding with special interests over working people. This election will be a chance to hold them accountable and keep Michigan moving forward,” Camilleri said.
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel further slammed Republicans both in Michigan and abroad, honing in on two Republican members of the Michigan House – Reps. Bill G Schuette (R-Midland) and Timmy Beson (R-Bay City) – who could seek to claim the 35th district.
“At the federal, state, and local levels, Republicans are gutting critical programs and hurting Michiganders – and they’ve had enough. Whether it’s junior extremist Bill G. Schuette, Timothy Beson, or any other Republican billionaire lackey, Michiganders in the 35th district are ready to send them packing. We look forward to coming out of the primary and electing another Democrat to fight for them in Lansing,” Hertel said.
Beson previously said he intends to run for the seat, while Schuette is also reportedly weighing a bid. Financial firm executive Chadwick Twillman filed to run for the seat in March.
“The Governor’s decision to withhold representation for more than 270,000 residents for more than a year is a case of unserious governance. Attempting to bury this news ahead of a holiday weekend and postponing the special election until after the April filing deadline is a transparent case of politics at its worst and the clear leadership vacuum in our executive branch and the State Senate,” Schuette said in a statement posted to social media.
The Midland Republican also teased a potential run for the district, saying “In the coming days I look forward to announcing how I plan to serve the people of our state and work collaboratively to solve the serious issues we face.”
A request for comment was left with Beson.
On the Democratic side, Michigan Board of Education President Pamela Pugh and Saginaw County Democrats Chair Brandell Adams have tossed their hat into the ring.
Following Whitmer’s announcement, Pugh released a statement, noting that the election would come at a critical moment.
While Democrats are putting forth a confident front, GOP consultant Greg Manz said that the governor’s delay in calling a special election had created a public relation disaster for Michigan Dems.
“Republicans will flip this Senate seat not only because of the disrespect Governor Whitmer has shown to 270,000 Michiganders but also because Senate Democrats’ priorities are out-of-touch as demonstrated by their bloated bureaucratic Big Brother budget,” Manz said in reference to the $84.6 billion budget proposal the Senate put forth in May.
In contrast, the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget passed by the House earlier this week totals $78.5 billion in gross funding.
Michigan Advance is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Michigan Advance maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jon King for questions: info@michiganadvance.com.
