MI Republicans Reclaim House, Ending Dems' Trifecta

MICHIGAN — Michigan Republicans appear to have won back the state House of Representatives in Tuesday's elections, ending a two-year Democratic trifecta, according to unofficial vote results.

Michigan Democrats entered Tuesday with a slim 56-54 House majority, but Republicans were able to hold their seats and flip four Democratic seats, ultimately giving them a 58-52 new majority, according to unofficial vote results.

Republicans were able to oust Democratic state Reps. Nate Shannon, Jaime Churches, Jim Haadsma and Jenn Hill, according to unofficial vote results.

As of Thursday afternoon:

• In House District 27, which includes multiple downriver communities in the Detroit area, Republican Rylee Linting held a narrow 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent lead over Democrat Jaime Churches, with 95 percent of the vote counted, according to unofficial vote results.
• In House District 44, which is in Calhoun County, Calhoun County Commissioner Steve Frisbie held a 51.6 percent to 47.9 percent over Democrat Jim Haadsma with 95 percent of the vote counted, according to unofficial vote results.
• In House District 58, which is in Macomb County, Utica City Councilman Republican Ron Robinson held a 54 percent to 46 percent lead over Democrat Nate Shannon with 92 percent of the vote counted, according to unofficial vote results.
• In House District 109, which is in the Marquette area, former weatherman Republican Karl Bohnak held a 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent lead over Democrat Jenn Hill with 99 percent of the vote counted, according to unofficial vote results.

Even without the Michigan Senate or governorship, Republicans will be able to act as a check on Democratic power in a way they haven’t been able to for the past two years.

Michigan Democrats still a two-seat majority in the senate, which wasn't on the ballot this year.

In 2022, Whitmer won reelection and Democrats flipped the state House and Senate from Republican control for the first time in 40 years. With the trifecta, Democrats passed a multiple pieces of legislation, including lifting abortion bans, gun safety measures, clean energy provision and repealed Michigan's right-to-work law.