Democrat Chedrick Greene won a special election in Michigan on Tuesday, securing his party's control of the state Senate for the remainder of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's term. The Democratic governor is term-limited and will leave office at the end of the year.
Race Details
Greene, a firefighter and Marine veteran, defeated Republican Jason Tunney, a former prosecutor, in the race for Michigan's 35th Senate District. The district includes Saginaw and Bay City and is surrounded by more conservative rural areas. Democrats had held a one-seat majority in the chamber, making control a key stake in the election.
The race was closely watched as a potential indicator for November's midterms in this battleground state. The district is seen as reflective of the entire state and includes part of Saginaw County, the only Michigan county to back the winning presidential candidate in each of the last five elections.
Reactions and Implications
Republican Jason Tunney conceded the race, stating in a press release that he “fell short in the special election.” Greene claimed victory soon after, thanking his supporters and emphasizing his commitment to representing them in Lansing. Libertarian candidate Ali Sledz also ran for the seat, which had been vacant since January 2025.
Whitmer, a Democrat, is term-limited, setting up a competitive race in November to succeed her. With Democrats currently controlling the state Senate 19-18, Tuesday's outcome will be key for the state's legislative agenda in the months before she leaves office in January. Beyond the immediate stakes, political insiders said the race would give clues about November's midterms in this battleground state.
Candidates and Issues
Greene is a fire captain and Marine veteran who campaigned on lowering costs while emphasizing his union backing. Tunney, a former prosecutor, ran as a conservative Republican, highlighting his local roots in Saginaw. Republicans also made the timing of the special election a central issue, arguing Whitmer waited too long to call it, leaving the district without representation for nearly 500 days.
A victory by Greene keeps Democrats in the majority. If Tunney had won, the Senate would be tied, making it tougher for Democrats to advance their agenda. While Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II would serve as the tiebreaking vote, Republicans could effectively block any measure from passing by not having all members vote. The Michigan House is controlled by Republicans.
The term at play in Tuesday's special election is only through the end of the year, meaning the seat will again be up for reelection in November. Nonetheless, the race is being watched as a test of voter sentiment ahead of the midterm elections, when Democrats are looking to regain power in Congress.
Voter Sentiment
John Hall, a 69-year-old self-described independent, said Tuesday that he had voted for Greene and that the economy is a key issue for him. He noted that rising gas prices are taking a bite out of many people's budgets. Some strategists caution against overinterpreting the results, noting heavy Democratic spending and high-profile visits by figures such as former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said in February that the special election would “set the tone for midterms” while announcing a $250,000 investment to help Michigan Democrats retain their Senate majority in May and November.
District Profile
Although Republican Donald Trump carried all three counties in the 2024 presidential race, the portions within District 35 are more competitive. Democrat Kamala Harris barely edged Trump in the district in 2024, 49.7% to 48.9%, on the strength of her 17-percentage-point lead in the Saginaw portion of the district. Once a hub of the auto industry, the region includes a large share of union-affiliated voters and a sizable Black population, surrounded by more conservative rural areas.
Cory Smidt, interim director at Michigan State University’s Institute of Public Policy and Social Research, said the district “looks like the state as a whole.” Though he cautioned against viewing the outcome as a clear signal for the midterms, he said turnout and voting patterns among different groups could offer valuable insights.
