MI Democrats Look To Retake Deadlocked House In Tuesday's Elections

METRO DETROIT — Michigan Democrats can retake control of the state legislature in Lansing with a pair of victories in two special elections on Tuesday.

The special elections are necessary to fill the Michigan House of Representative's 13th and 25th districts. Former state Reps. Lori Stone, D-Warren, and Kevin Coleman, D-Westland, held the seats, but vacated them after winning local mayoral races last November.

Democrat Mai Xiong, of Warren, will face Republican Ronald Singer, of Warren, for state district 13, which includes Warren and parts of east Detroit.

Democrat Peter Herzberg, of Westland, will face Republican Josh Powell, of Westland, for state district 25, which includes Wayne, most of Westland, and some parts of Dearborn Heights and Canton Township.

Xiong, a Macomb County commissioner, cruised to easy victory by winning 79 percent of the vote in January's primary. She has amassed numerous endorsements, including that of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Singer also cruised to an easy primary victory, winning 63 percent of the overall vote in January's primary.

Democrat Peter Herzberg, of Westland, will face Republican Josh Powell, of Westland, to represent state district 25, which includes Wayne, most of Westland, and some parts of Dearborn Heights and Canton Township.

Herzberg narrowly defeated Andrea Rutkowski, Layla Taha, Melandie Yvonne Hines and Shannon Rochon in January's primary, capturing 37 percent of the vote. Powell, on the other hand, ran opposed for the Republican nomination.

The winner of the special election will serve in Lansing through the remainder of each candidate's term, which goes through the end of this year.

Both districts are considered Democratic leaning, as Stone and Coleman won their 2022 races by more than 20 percentage points.

After the 2022 Midterm elections, Democrats captured full control of the state legislature, earning a "trifecta" of Democratic control in Michigan for the first time in 40 years. After Stone and Coleman vacated their seats, the House has been deadlocked 54-54 between Republicans and Democrats, effectively stalling major legislation.

Polls in the Warren and Westland areas will open at 7 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m. for those looking to vote in-person. You can see your polling place on the state's voter information website.

Anyone looking to register to vote on Tuesday must do so in-person at your local clerk's office by 8 p.m. Anyone who needs help registering to vote can call the state department at 1-888-SOS-MICH (888-767-6424).