Candidates Set for Michigan 35th Senate District Special Election

The top Democratic and Republican candidates were chosen in a special primary to fill a vacancy in the state Senate.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:55am

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The Associated Press has called the Democratic primary for Michigan's 35th Senate District for Chedrick Greene, while Republican Jason Tunney announced he was the winner in his party's primary race. The special election to fill the vacancy will be held on May 5, with the winner serving a partial term ending January 1, 2027.

Why it matters

This special election in the Saginaw Bay area will determine who fills a vacant seat in the Michigan State Senate for the remainder of the current term. The outcome could impact the balance of power in the state legislature.

The details

There were six Democrats and four Republicans running in their respective primaries to determine the candidates for the special election on May 5. The 35th District covers parts of Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties, including the communities of Bay City, Midland, Saginaw and Zilwaukee.

  • The special primary election was held on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • The special general election will be held on May 5, 2026.
  • The winner will serve a partial term ending January 1, 2027.

The players

Chedrick Greene

The Democratic nominee for the 35th Senate District special election.

Jason Tunney

The Republican nominee for the 35th Senate District special election.

Kristin McDonald Rivet

The former 35th District state senator who was elected to a U.S. Congressional seat in November 2024, creating the vacancy.

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What’s next

The special general election for the 35th Senate District will be held on May 5, 2026.

The takeaway

This special election will determine who fills a vacant state Senate seat in the Saginaw Bay area for the remainder of the current term, with the outcome potentially impacting the balance of power in the Michigan legislature.