GOP on cusp of flipping Michigan House with leads in key races
- Democrats currently hold a two-seat majority in the Michigan House, though Republicans could flip or bring the chamber to a tie
- As of mid-October, spending in 13 races has topped $1 million, with eight costing more than $2 million
- Districts in southeast, west, central and northern Michigan are in play
LANSING — Republicans appear likely to flip the Michigan House following a costly, cutthroat battle over 110 seats.
While ballot counting continued Wednesday morning in some key races, several Democratic incumbents trailed Republican challengers, while a handful of GOP incumbents Democrats had hoped to unseat were leading.
Democrats wrested control of the House and Senate from Republicans two years ago, winning a 56-54 majority in a favorable environment that saw Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other Democrats sweep statewide seats.
But with a close presidential race at the top of the ticket this year, Republicans were optimistic they could flip it back to end Democrats’ political dominance in Lansing and provide a check on Whitmer during the final two years of her tenure.
All 110 seats were up for grabs this cycle, but the vast majority of resources and attention focused on roughly a dozen in the most politically competitive regions of the state.
Democrats outspent Republican rivals at a near four-to-one ratio. As of mid-October, Democratic state House candidates had pumped $5.9 million into advertising and other expenses, compared to less than $1.6 million for Republicans.
Thirteen state House races have surpassed $1 million in spending between candidate funding, caucus PACs and outside groups. Eight races have cost at least $2 million, and two are above $3 million, on track to smash previous spending records for state House candidates.
Among the most closely contested races are ones in Downriver, Jackson, Macomb County, Oakland County and near Traverse City.
Here are a handful of closely watched races that could determine power. For a full list of results, click here.
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