LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is calling for a special election to fill two recently vacated seats in the Michigan House of Representatives.
State Representatives Lori Stone (D-13th District) and Keith Coleman (D-25th District) left their roles after winning mayoral races for the cities of Warren and Westland in the November elections.
Wednesday, Gov. Whitmer sent a letter to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, calling for a special election to be held early next year.
The two vacant seats in the house have resulted in split control between Democrats and Republicans with 54 representatives from each party currently in the chamber. The chamber was previously controlled by Democrats with a 56-54 majority.
"The Michigan Legislature had one of the most productive sessions in Michigan history thanks to Michiganders who elected leaders, like state representatives Coleman and Stone, to get things done on the issues that make a real difference in people’s lives," said Governor Whitmer. "As we look ahead to 2024, these special elections will ensure that Michiganders in the 13th and 25th districts have representation in Lansing working for them as soon as possible. I look forward to working with the next representatives from these districts when voters elect them in the new year."
Whitmer is asking for a special primary election to take place on Jan. 30, 2024, followed by a special general election on April 16, 2024.
Both of the vacated seats are located in districts that lean Democrat. Both the 13th and 25th House Districts haven't elected a Republican since 1990. But recent elections show that the districts are becoming more embattled with Democrats' margins of victory shrinking.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.