Democrats have retained control of the Michigan state senate for the remainder of the year following a decisive victory in a special election on Tuesday. Chedrick Greene, a firefighter and marine veteran, defeated Republican Jason Tunney in the race for Michigan’s 35th senate district, securing more than 58% of the vote compared to Tunney’s 39%, according to local results.
Key Details of the Election
The 35th district includes parts of Bay and Saginaw counties, areas considered politically purple. Former Vice-President Kamala Harris won the district by only a single percentage point in the 2024 election, while Donald Trump ultimately carried the state of Michigan. The special election was held to fill the seat vacated by Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet in January 2025 after she won a seat in the US House of Representatives.
Reaction from Greene
Speaking to supporters after being declared the winner, Greene said: “We delivered this decisive victory by listening and speaking to the things keeping everyday people up at night – worries about affordability, safety and freedom.”
National Implications
US House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Greene’s win on social media, calling it a “massive defeat for MAGA Republicans” and noting that Greene’s 19-point overperformance ensures Democrats keep control of the Michigan Senate. The win is significant as Democrats hold a narrow majority in the state senate, with Republicans controlling the lower chamber. The term-limited Governor Gretchen Whitmer is set to leave office in January.
What’s Next
Republican challenger Jason Tunney, a former prosecutor, has vowed to challenge Greene again in November, when voters will elect a representative for a full four-year term. Tunney stated: “Tonight, we fell short in the special election, but I’m incredibly proud of what this campaign accomplished together. This is only the halfway point. As we head into November, the contrast between Chedrick and myself will only become clearer to more and more voters. I’m excited about what lies ahead, and I’m not going anywhere.”
