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Whitmer Faces Mounting Scrutiny Over Refusing to Call Special Election in Competitive Vacant Senate District

Aug 5, 2025 | 1:29 PM

Photo: Don Reid ~ USA TODAY NETWORK

LANSING, Aug. 5, 2025 ~ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is receiving criticism for stalling on calling for a special election in a swing state senate district.

Michigan‘s 35th District has been vacant for over 200 days after the former State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet won the race for Michigan‘s 8th Congressional District. The 35th District was narrowly won by McDoanld Rivet in 2022 after redistricting, with the seat expected to be a closely contested seat amid the Democrats‘ slim majority in the legislative chamber. So far, Whitmer has given vague statements on a future special election, further upsetting Republicans and local political officials of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties.

PODCAST:

Aug. 5, 2025 ~ Senate Majority Leader Aric Nesbitt joins Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, and Jamie Edmonds to discuss the growing bipartisan complaints over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s refusal to call a special election to fill a vacant seat in Michigan‘s 35th District.

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