A Democratic majority in the Michigan House flipped on Tuesday to an even bigger majority for Republicans, setting the table for the GOP to investigate Democratic malfeasance next year.
Michigan Republicans broke a two-year Democratic government trifecta on Election Day by holding on to seats occupied by vulnerable House Republicans and flipping four seats held by Democrats.
In Michigan House District 27, Republican Rylee Linting leads Democratic incumbent Jamie Churches 51.6%-48.4% with 95% of votes counted, while Republican Ron Robinson holds a seven-point lead over Democratic incumbent Nate Shannon in District 58 with 91.83% of the vote in, the Detroit Free Press reports.
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Republican Steve Frisbie leads Democratic incumbent Jim Haadsma by 19.4% with just 25.81% of the vote counted in District 44. Democratic incumbent Jenn Hill is also poised to fall to Republican Karl Bohnak in District 109, where Bohnak leads 51.3%-48.7% with 99% of the vote in.
A total of 15 House races remain undecided, with incumbents leading in most.
The situation is expected to shift Democrats’ 56-54 majority in the lower chamber to a 58-52 majority for Republicans, according to projections by The Detroit News.
“Our hard-fought victory affirms that the people of Michigan want leaders who put them first, uphold the rule of law, and advocate for accountability at every level of government,” House Republican Leader Matt Hall said in a statement cited by MLive. “With a Republican majority, Michigan will have a stronger voice fighting for the values of hardworking families and addressing the issues that matter most — safe schools and neighborhoods, an affordable economy, and a government that provides value for dollars.”
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Political observers also expect Republicans to investigate abuses of power and malfeasance by the Whitmer administration, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
The Whitmer administration has been plagued by questions about secret negotiations with Chinese EV battery component manufacturer Gotion and the company’s close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, business incentive deals that have benefitted the governor’s political backers, and massive taxpayer subsidies for illegal immigrants.
Benson faces multiple complaints to the State Bar of Michigan’s Attorney Grievance Commission over her “deceitful” efforts to manipulate the 2024 ballot, $82,500 campaign contribution to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Bolden’s reelection coffer. Bolden, as it happens, ruled in Benson’s favor on multiple cases.
Questions also surround Benson’s fierce legal fights to avoid vetting the state’s bloated voter rolls, partisan voter registration efforts, and illegal voting in the 2024 election.
Nessel has aggressively prosecuted Republicans in recent years, targeted Republican candidates during the 2024 election, and meddled in investigations involving high-level Democrats.
While it remains unclear who Republicans will install as chair of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee, Rep. Tom Kunse, R-Clare, currently serves as the minority vice chair.
Kunse retained his District 100 House seat on Tuesday in a blowout win over Democrat Tracy Ruell, receiving nearly 70% of the vote.
Democrats are expected to maintain control of the state’s upper chamber, which did not feature any elections in 2024. Democrats currently control the state Senate 20-18, though Democratic Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet’s successful campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives will shift the balance to 19-18 in 2025.
Even if Republicans win Rivet’s sat in a coming special election, Democrats will remain in control with a tie-breaking vote from Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II.