Young Democrats Call On Whitmer To Fill Empty State Senate Seat Before 2026 Election

Michigan Advance

August 27, 2025

More than seven months since U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet left her seat in the state Senate to serve in Congress, residents of the Bay City Democrat’s former district have grown increasingly discontent with their lack of representation in Lansing.

Amid that frustration, members of the three youth arms of the Michigan Democratic Party have joined the chorus calling for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to set a special election to fill the vacant 35th Senate District, which encompasses parts of Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.

“Legislation impacting Michigan’s students and families is being decided right now without input from an entire State Senate district,” Austin Marsman, chair of the Young Democrats of Michigan, said in a statement. “It’s long past time for Governor Whitmer to call a special election and ensure every Michigander has a voice in our state government.”

Since January, more than 270,000 Michiganders have been left without representation in the Democratic-led Michigan Senate. However, calling a special election in the swing district could jeopardize Democrats’ slim majority in the chamber.

If a Republican senator is elected, the chamber would be left with a 19-19 split. While Lt. Garlin Gilchrist is able to cast the tie-breaking vote, all members of the Senate must be present and voting. On a vote of 19-18, Gilchrist cannot vote, and any legislation up for consideration will fail without the 20 votes needed to pass through the chamber.

With Republicans holding the majority in the House, a split Senate would further complicate the Democratic governor’s ability to advance policies on her agenda.

While the seat will be up for election in 2026, alongside all other seats in the Michigan House and Senate, the Young Democrats of Michigan, Michigan College Democrats, and Michigan High School Democrats called on Whitmer to fill the seat before the November general election.

“The first lesson of a high school civics class covers an American’s right to representation in our government,” Abby Huffman, chair of the Michigan High School Democrats said in a statement. “Without guaranteeing that right to the residents of the 35th State Senate District, we’re not only failing those residents, we’re failing every student that is taught the promise of representative democracy.”

Whitmer’s office did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication.

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