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May 6, 2026 ~ Chris Renwick and Lloyd Jackson discuss Chedrick Greene’s special election win. Wayne State University’s Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson, a political science professor, joins to discuss what this means for Democrats.
SAGINAW ~ A contentious special election cemented the Democrats’ narrow majority in the State Senate Tuesday evening, after Democrat Chedrick Greene won over Republican Jason Tunney.
The election for Michigan’s 35th Senate District, which covers areas of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties, was meant to fill the vacant seat left by former State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet, who became a U.S. representative in January of 2025. Greene, a firefighter from Saginaw, won with 58.9% agaisnt Tunney’s 39.4% and Libertarian Ali Sledz’ 1.7% with 94% reporting, according to the Associated Press. The race was called shortly before 11 p.m.
The victory in the competitive race could be a good sign for Democrats this November, with the battleground state of Michigan a key state to decide the control of the U.S. Senate.
