In Michigan, control of House up for grabs; GOP has edge in several 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 — Control of the Michigan House of Representatives could be up for grabs on Tuesday, following a costly, cutthroat battle over 110 seats.
Results were still too close to call in several key districts at 1 a.m., but several Democratic incumbents trailed Republican challengers. A handful of Republican incumbents Democrats had hoped to unseat are also leading in their races.
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 Democratic candidates sweep statewide seats.
With a close presidential race at the top of the ticket, Republicans are optimistic they could flip it back and end the Democrats’ political dominance in Lansing.
All seats are up for grabs this cycle, but the vast majority of resources and attention have 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.
As polls closed Tuesday, it was too early to tell whether either party prevailed, or whether a 55-55 tie could split the House down the middle.
Here are a handful of closely watched races that could determine power. For a full list of results, click here.
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