(The Center Square) – A Tuesday special election could return a Democrat majority to the Michigan House or give Republicans control of one chamber.
The election will fill two seats opened after Democrat Reps. Lori Stone of Warren and Kevin Coleman of Westland won mayoral races leaving a 54-54 deadlock in the House.
In Warren, Democrat Mai Xiong will face Republican Ronald Singer while in Westland, Democrat Peter Herzberg will compete against Republican Josh Powell for the District 25 seat.
The race will determine whether Democrats keep their political trifecta voters gave in 2022 – the first in 40 years allowing them to enact widespread policy changes including a 100% clean energy rule by 2040.
In her State of the State speech, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer targeted policies including a “Michigan guarantee” that “Every single Michigander can count on a free public education from pre-K through community college, a $5,000 tax credit for caregivers caring for an aging or sick relative and a $2,000 electric vehicle tax credit for union-made vehicles.
Democrats could enact these programs with a 56-52 majority but it’s unclear what funding will pay for the programs.
