Midterm election results are in, bringing new leadership to the Michigan Legislature and a returning administration at the top of the ticket. Election 2022 will bring significant change to Lansing, as Democrats will now control the Governor’s office and both chambers of the state legislature for the first time since 1984.
Below is a snapshot of some of the key election results:
- Top of the ticket Democrats won safely. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel all swept the top of the ticket by 8+ points.
- Supreme court incumbents will return as well, with Justices Richard Bernstein and Brian Zahra winning reelection. Democratic-nominated justices will maintain a 4-3 advantage on the court.
- Democrats flip a congressional seat to win a 7-6 edge on Michigan’s congressional delegation. Hilary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) was able to defeat opponent Republican John Gibbs (R-Grand Rapids), while Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) was able to hold off a challenge from Tom Barrett (R-Potterville).
- Democrats win majority in the Michigan House of Representatives for the first time since 2010. The new majority will be led by Michigan’s first Black speaker, Rep. Joe Tate of Detroit.
- Democrats win majority in the Michigan Senate for the first time since 1984. The new majority will be led by Michigan’s first female Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids.
- All three of the ballot proposals succeeded handily. Michigan’s constitution will be amended to include term limit adjustments, expanded voting rights and reproductive freedom.
Overall, the legislative election results look positive for the hospital and healthcare community looking into 2023 given the stability within the executive administration and the existing relationships the MHA has established during their tenure in office. Democrats have not had a dual-chamber legislative majority in nearly 40 years, so it is expected that they will have no shortage of legislative priorities to work on.
The MHA is excited to begin working with the new leadership to address the lingering issues hospitals continue to face post-pandemic as well as having the opportunity to collaborate with legislators on new priorities. With 59 first-time legislators this year, the MHA will be working hard to build relationships with the new lawmakers in the coming days and months and encourage members to do the same.
Members with questions or needing assistance identifying their legislator should contact Sean Sorenson-Abbott at the MHA.
Crain’s Healthcare Leadership Summit Features MHA and Hospital Leaders
MHA Podcast Details Upcoming Election
MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Attorney General
The Keckley Report
MHA in the News 
Incumbent Democrat Dana Nessel is a former Wayne County Assistant Prosecutor and civil rights attorney. As Attorney General, Nessel pursued the financial settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors which will eventually bring more than $700 million to Michigan to treat and combat opioid addiction. The Attorney General is also actively working on implementing the Clean Slate Act of 2021, which expands on the types and numbers of offenses that can be expunged from a person’s record allowing for more opportunities for education and employment. The Attorney General’s role in the expungement is to determine whether an applicant is statutorily eligible to have the conviction(s) expunged from their record.
Republican Matthew DePerno is a tax attorney and conservative activist. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Detroit Mercy School of Law. DePerno is most widely known for his claims of fraud in the 2020 election and subsequent attempts to obtain voting machines and initiate a forensic audit. Those efforts are currently under investigation but remain the core message behind his campaign. For more information, visit depernoformi.com.