Michigan Democrats lost control of the state House overnight, ending a two-year trifecta of Democratic power in Lansing.
According to Gongwer News Service, Republicans will hold 58 seats to Democrats’ 52, a flip from the Democrats’ razor-thin 56-54 majority.
House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, acknowledged the loss in a statement Wednesday morning.
“Come January, we will look for every opportunity to work with our Republican colleagues in a bipartisan manner to put the people of Michigan first,” he said.
Most of the flips came from southern Michigan, including Rep. Jim Haadsma, D-Battle Creek, Rep. Nate Shannon, D-Sterling Heights, and Rep. Jaime Churches, D-Wyandotte.
One northern Michigan Democrat lost her seat — Rep. Jenn Hill, D-Marquette, lost to former newscaster Karl Bohnak.
Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, held her seat and expanded her margins over her narrow win in 2022. Northern Michigan’s other House seats were projected to remain in Republican hands.
Republicans won’t be able to pass any policy without a Democratic check, since Democrats remain in control of the state Senate and governorship.
The GOP will take control of legislative committees and could play a larger role in proposing legislation and bipartisan policymaking.
They will have greater influence and final approval over the annual state budget, which will allocate billions of dollars to state agencies and education.
Democrats are likely to plan a packed November and December in their final months of full control in Lansing.
Any legislation they pass before the end of the year could be approved by the state Senate and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.