Michigan Special Election to Decide Control of State Senate

A special election for Michigan’s 35th State Senate District is set for May 5, to fill a seat that has been vacant since early 2025.

The race pits Democrat Chedrick Greene against Republican Jason Tunney. Ali Sledz is also on the ticket as a Libertarian candidate.

Greene, a Marine veteran and fire chief endorsed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, positions himself as a champion for working families.

Tunney is a former prosecutor and business leader who has said he wants to strengthen public safety, support local schools, and reduce the tax and regulatory burden on Michigan families and small businesses.

Six months later, both parties will go at it again with another election that may determine who controls the state Legislature.

There will be back-to-back elections because the district has been without representation since Jan. 3, 2025, when Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet resigned after being elected to the U.S. House.

The delay in scheduling the election drew criticism and led to a lawsuit filed in August 2025 alleging “taxation without representation.” The case was later dismissed after Whitmer scheduled the special election on Aug. 29.

The Michigan Senate consists of 38 seats; Democrats hold a 19–18 majority, and there is one vacancy.

Republicans said they believe Whitmer held off on scheduling a special election until the political winds changed. The seat was vacant in November 2024 when President Donald Trump won the state with 49.7 percent of the vote.

As gas prices in the state neared $5 a gallon, Trump’s approval rating was 37 percent as of May 2, according to a Civiqs poll.

Democrats are pointing to gas prices as a factor in the election.

“Gas prices are at a record high, and disastrous policies out of Washington are making the American Dream unattainable for our neighbors in Mid-Michigan,” state Sen. Darrin Camilleri, a Democrat, said in an email to The Epoch Times.

“Chedrick is the only candidate that will fight for working families in the Capitol, and I’m confident that he will win tomorrow and again in November.”

Tim Golding, state director for the Michigan chapter of Americans for Prosperity, said it was important that the seat be filled after such a long delay.

“The special election in SD 35 is critical during a time when Michigan families are facing rising costs and uncertainty because of failed Lansing policies,” Golding said in an email to The Epoch Times.

“It is important to have a candidate that will lower costs, stop reckless policies, and protect Michigan jobs. SD 35 needs representation now, waiting until November is simply not an option. AFP Michigan believes Jason Tunney is the candidate that will work to lower costs, stop reckless policies, and protect Michigan jobs.”

Campaign finance filings show that Greene has spent about $338,000 through his campaign committee, along with more than $600,000 in in-kind contributions. In-kind support refers to non-cash assistance—such as advertising, consulting, and campaign organizing—provided to a campaign.

Tunney has reported roughly $282,000 in spending and about $58,000 in in-kind contributions, according to separate filings.