Small business owner challenges incumbent state representative in Michigan's 68th District

Deanna Martin, a retired accountant and businesswoman, has announced her candidacy for the 68th District State Representative seat, setting up a Republican primary challenge against incumbent David W. Martin.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Deanna L. Martin, a retired accountant and businesswoman, has announced her candidacy for the 68th District State Representative seat, setting up a Republican primary challenge against incumbent David W. Martin. Deanna Martin, who serves as a second-term Republican delegate, owns a business in Grand Blanc and has lived in Davison her entire life. She will face the incumbent in the Republican primary on Aug. 4.

Why it matters

This race in Michigan's 68th District represents a challenge to the incumbent state representative by a small business owner who is pledging to bring a different approach to governance, prioritizing taxpayers over special interest groups and political action committees.

The details

Deanna Martin has outlined priorities that include auditing state government agencies, cutting wasteful spending, and advocating for better funding for communities across the 68th District, which includes Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, Atlas, Goodrich, Genesee Township and Groveland Township. She has emphasized that she represents a different approach to governance than the incumbent, pledging to prioritize taxpayers over special interest groups and political action committees.

  • Deanna Martin will face the incumbent in the Republican primary on Aug. 4, 2026.

The players

Deanna L. Martin

A retired accountant and businesswoman who has announced her candidacy for the 68th District State Representative seat, setting up a Republican primary challenge against the incumbent.

David W. Martin

The incumbent state representative for Michigan's 68th District, who will face a Republican primary challenge from Deanna L. Martin.

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What they’re saying

“As a successful small business owner who owns a business in this district, I will bring common sense, fiscal discipline and hands-on management to Lansing. I know what it's like to sign the front and back of a check, have personnel and balance a budget. I am the invested hometown candidate who roots for both the Cardinals and the Bobcats.”

— Deanna Martin, Candidate for 68th District State Representative (mlive.com)

“We need common sense back in Lansing. This year voters will head to the polls to elect a new governor, secretary of state and attorney general to name a few—why not reboot the state legislature while we are at it?”

— Deanna Martin, Candidate for 68th District State Representative (mlive.com)

What’s next

The Republican primary election for the 68th District State Representative seat will be held on August 4, 2026.

The takeaway

This race represents a challenge to the political establishment in Michigan's 68th District, with a small business owner pledging to bring a different approach to governance that prioritizes taxpayers over special interests.