---
title: "Michigan Legislature Control Hinges"
url: https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/21/michigan-legislature-control-close-races-2026/
date: 2026-10-21T07:15:52-04:00
modified: 2026-10-21T07:15:52-04:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Lansing"
attribution: "HERE Lansing"
---

# Michigan Legislature Control Hinges

> LANSING, Mich. — Both chambers of the Michigan Legislature are up for grabs on Nov. 3, and the outcome will shape what the next governor, either Democrat Jocelyn Benson or Republican John James, can get done. Going in, power is split. Democrats lead the state Senate 20-18, while Republicans control the House 58-52. All 38

*Source: [HERE Lansing](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/21/michigan-legislature-control-close-races-2026/) — October 21, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

*From the HERE City State Desk*

LANSING, Mich. — Both chambers of the Michigan Legislature are up for grabs on Nov. 3, and the outcome will shape what the next governor, either Democrat Jocelyn Benson or Republican John James, can get done.

Going in, power is split. Democrats lead the state Senate 20-18, while Republicans control the House 58-52. All 38 Senate seats and all 110 House seats are on the ballot, though only a small share are considered truly competitive.

Turnover is significant. In the House, 23 incumbents are leaving, nine Republicans and 14 Democrats, either retiring or seeking other offices. In the Senate, term limits are pushing out eight Democrats and 10 Republicans. Republicans need 20 seats to take the Senate.

Leaders from both Senate caucuses point to the same five districts as decisive. In the 9th, Republican Sen. Michael Webber of Rochester Hills, who won by 795 votes in 2022, faces Democrat Theresa Brooks in an Oakland and Macomb county seat. In the 12th, Democratic Sen. Kevin Hertel of St. Clair Shores, a 404-vote winner last time, is challenged by Republican John Goldwater.

The 13th in Oakland County is open after Democratic Sen. Rosemary Bayer chose not to run, with former Republican state Rep. Ryan Berman facing Democrat Sean Carlson. In the 30th, covering parts of Kent and Ottawa counties, Republican Sen. Mark Huizenga, who won by 391 votes, faces Democratic state Rep. Carol Glanville. The open 32nd, left by term-limited Republican Jon Bumstead, pits Democrat Rebecca Amidon against Republican Kim Cole.

On the House side, the Macomb County 61st District is a rematch: Democratic Rep. Denise Mentzer, who won by 721 votes in 2024, again faces Republican Robert Wojtowicz. Open seats in the 31st and 54th districts and Republican-held seats in the 46th, around Jackson, and the 86th, in Ottawa and Allegan counties, are also drawing heavy spending.

Democrats won full control of Lansing in 2022 for the first time in four decades but lost the House two years later.

Voters can return absentee ballots now, and all in-person early voting sites must open by Oct. 24.