On Nov. 3, Michigan voters will select candidates to fill 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives. Democrats are hoping to take back control of the chamber after losing it to Republicans in 2024. Republicans, of course, are hoping to hold onto the House. While Republicans now have a 58-52 majority, six districts – three of them in Metro Detroit – are considered toss-ups in this election, where a candidate from either party has a realistic chance of winning.
Here are the districts Democrats must win to regain control of the state House.
27th House District: Jaime Churches vs. Rylee Linting
In Michigan's 27th House District, Democratic candidate and former state representative Jaime Churches is challenging incumbent Rep. Rylee Linting, R-Grosse Ile, who is currently serving her first term
in the state House. Churches − holding the endorsement of the Freep Editorial Board − represented the district from 2023 to 2024 before Linting won the seat with just over 52% of the vote in the 2024 election. The district can lean either way; residents voted for Republican candidate Mike Rogers in the 2024 U.S. Senate race, but preferred Democratic candidates for U.S. House.
Where it is: The 27th House District covers Gibraltar, Grosse Ile Township, Riverview, part of Southgate, Trenton and Wyandotte in Wayne County.
31st House District: Shannon Dare Wayne vs. Laura Perry
In Michigan's 31st House District, Democratic candidate Shannon Dare Wayne is running against Republican candidate Laura Perry. Wayne, who was endorsed by the Freep Editorial Board, and Perry are both first-time candidates looking to succeed Rep. Reggie Miller, D-Van Buren Township, who is not running for reelection. The district is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans; Miller won reelection in 2024 with just over 50 percent of the vote.
Where it is: The 31st House District is split between parts of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. It includes the cities of Milan and Belleville along with their surrounding townships.
44th House District: Jim Haadsma vs. Steve Frisbie
In Michigan's 44th House District, Democratic candidate and former state representative Jim Haadsma is challenging incumbent Rep. Steve Frisbie, R-Battle Creek, currently serving his first term in the state House. Haadsma, who represented the district from 2019 to 2024, lost the seat to Frisbie by 79 votes in the 2024 election after a hand recount confirmed the result. Forecasting another highly competitive race this year, the district recently ranked number one out of the 110 House seats in tracked TV ad spending, according to a MIRS report. The Free Press Editorial Board didn't endorse in this race because it's outside of our core coverage area.
Where it is: The 44th House District encompasses parts of Calhoun County. It includes the cities of Battle Creek, Springfield and Albion, in addition to a handful of townships.
46th House District: Jan Maino vs. Kathy Schmaltz
In Michigan's 46th House District, Democratic candidate Jan Maino is challenging incumbent Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, R-Jackson. Both longtime residents of the area, Maino is a first-time candidate and president of the East Jackson School Board, whereas Schmaltz is serving her second term in the state House. Although voters in the district favored Republican candidates in 2024 overall, the race is viewed as highly competitive this year. It ranked second – just behind its neighboring 44th District – in tracked TV ad spending, according to the MIRS report, with Schmaltz outspending Maino. The Free Press Editorial Board didn't endorse in this race because it's outside of our core coverage area.
Where it is: The 44th House District is split between parts of Jackson and Washtenaw counties. It includes the cities of Jackson and Chelsea, plus a handful of neighboring townships.
54th House District: Sarah Pounds vs. Roman Gaskey
In Michigan's 54th House District, Democrat Sarah Pounds and Republican Roman Gaskey are facing off as first-time candidates looking to succeed Donni Steele, R-Lake Orion, who is leaving her seat to run for state Senate. Pounds, who was endorsed by the Freep Editorial Board, is a paralegal with a track record of public service. Gaskey is a recent college graduate and analyst at a legal tech startup. Both are competing in a 50-50 district, where voters in 2024 decided for Republican candidate Donald Trump in the presidential election and Democratic candidate Elissa Slotkin in the U.S. Senate race.
Where it is: The 54th House District covers Bloomfield Hills, Orion Township and parts of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township and Oakland Charter Township in Oakland County.
109th House District: Anna Aho Rink vs. Karl Bohnak
In Michigan's 109th House District, Democratic first-time candidate Anna Aho Rink is challenging incumbent Rep. Karl Bohnak, R-Deerton. Rink is a healthcare professional with 17 years as a physician assistant at Planned Parenthood, and Bohnak is a meteorologist currently serving his first term in the state House. The district has proven to be highly competitive; Bohnak defeated then-incumbent Rep. Jenn Hill in 2024, flipping the district from blue to red with under 52% of the vote. The Free Press Editorial Board didn't endorse in this race because it's outside of our core coverage area.
Where it is: The 109th House District is split between Alger, Baraga and Marquette counties and part of Dickinson County. It includes the cities of Ishpeming, Marquette, Munising, Negaunee and Norway, plus their surrounding townships.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: The Michigan House races Democrats must win in 2026 | Opinion
