MLC Insider Intelligence: September 25, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House held session on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Proposal Introduced Addressing Legislation: A joint resolution requiring the legislature to promptly present passed legislation to the governor was introduced this week. Currently, the Michigan Constitution states that “every bill passed by the legislature shall be presented to the governor before it becomes law.” However, no deadline is set in law. This resolution would set a 24-hour deadline for presentation once a bill is enrolled.
Background: At the end of 2024, nine bills passed both the House and Senate, but weren’t presented to the governor prior to the end of the legislative term. When the new Speaker of the House took his leadership position in 2025, he declined to present the bills to the governor, setting off a legal challenge. This proposal aims to ensure the same situation doesn’t occur again.
Next Steps: SJR O was referred to the Senate Oversight Committee for consideration. Unlike a traditional majority vote, the resolution amends the state constitution, thus requiring a supermajority vote by both chambers. It would then be placed before Michigan voters for approval.
Testimony Provided on Election Reform: The House Election Integrity Committee heard testimony on legislation setting up requirements for when the Secretary of State is running for office. While local clerks run elections in their jurisdiction, the Secretary of State is responsible for supervising elections in Michigan.
Key Points: Under the proposal, if the Secretary of State is running for any office other than reelection as the secretary, the deputy secretary of state would take over any responsibilities that are related to elections. This change would not include election audits. The bill remains before the committee awaiting further consideration.
Background: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is running for Michigan Governor while in her current role as secretary. While she voluntarily put a firewall in place for this election, there is no requirement in state law for that to be done. Some have vocalized concern that this could become a conflict of interest if a future Secretary of State were in the same position but chose not to set up any firewalls within the department.
State Supreme Court Set to Begin New Term: The Michigan Supreme Court announced it will begin its 2026-2027 session on October 7 and 8, hearing oral arguments in nine cases. In keeping with a longstanding tradition, the first case will be heard in the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the State Capitol Building. The remaining cases will be heard in the 6th floor courtroom at the Michigan Hall of Justice. All oral arguments will be livestreamed, beginning at 9:30 a.m. both days.
First Oral Arguments: The inaugural case is a legal challenge between Best Buy and a former employee who, during the hiring process, agreed to the company’s arbitration policy. After the employee was terminated, they filed a suit alleging violations under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act. The trial court and Court of Appeals granted Best Buy’s motion for summary disposition due to its binding arbitration clause that all employees sign. The former employee is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court.
Spotlight On Representative Greg Markkanen: Representative Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) is serving his fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He served as a medical Corpsman with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 452nd Combat Support Hospital, U.S. Army Reserve, and spent additional time as a Medic with the 107th Engineer Battalion of the Michigan Army National Guard. He previously taught high school civics, history, and geography in addition to Gogebic Community College. Representative Markkanen began his career in public service as a member of the Hancock City Council. Representative Markkanen graduated from Northern Michigan University with a degree in history and political science and graduated from Michigan Technological University with a degree in social sciences and biology.
District: The 110th House District includes Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties, in addition to Breitung and Sagola Townships, and Iron Mountain and Kingsford.
Committees:
Appropriations
Higher Education Subcommittee, chair
Corrections and Judiciary Subcommittee, majority vice chair
School Aid and Department of Education Subcommittee
Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Subcommittee
Next Week: The House has scheduled its typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule, while the Senate is scheduled to meet on Wednesday and Thursday.
Leading up to the November 5 general election, we are highlighting races generally considered swing seats.
General Election Overview: 80th House District: After serving two terms in the House, Democratic Representative Phil Skaggs chose to run for another elected position, leaving this seat open. While the Democratic Party only has a slight advantage with a 51.5% base, the district has been trending quickly to the left. It would be a significant upset if Republicans flip this seat.
District Overview: The district includes Cascade Township, Kentwood, East Grand Rapids, portions of Grand Rapids Township, and Grand Rapids.
Democratic Candidate:
Lily Cheng-Schulting – Attorney, founder and president of Disability A-Team of West Michigan.
Republican Candidate:
Doug Lee – Business owner.
General Election Overview: 83rd House District: Democratic Representative John Fitzgerald is currently serving his second term in the Michigan House and is running for reelection this year. This is another West Michigan seat that has been trending towards the left, and the Democratic Party has a 50.6% base. Representative Fitzgerald had a strong strongly in the 2024 campaign despite facing a top-tier Republican challenger. Given the district trends and the incumbent’s strong work ethic, it’s hard to see this seat flipping in November.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Grand Rapids and Wyoming.
Democratic Candidate:
Representative John Fitzgerald – State Representative and former Wyoming City Council member.
Republican Candidate:
Cindy Ramirez
General Election Overview: 84th House District: Democratic Representative Carol Glanville currently represents this seat but chose to run for the Michigan Senate. In the 2024 presidential election, the district voted 54%-44% for Joe Biden over Donald Trump. While experts believe that the Democratic candidate will win in November, it’s not a sure bet, and both candidates will need to work hard if they want to represent this seat next term.
District Overview: The district includes Grandville, Walker, and portions of Grand Rapids.
Democratic Candidate:
Khristian Silvis – Veteran, worked for two members of the United States House of Representatives.
Republican Candidate:
Drew Jake Robbins – Army Veteran, former Grand Rapids City Commissioner.
General Election Overview: 86th House District: Republican Representative Nancy DeBoer is serving her second term in the House and running for reelection this November. This has historically been a safe Republican seat; however, the City of Holland and surrounding areas have been trending left, making this a highly competitive district. Additionally, in 2024, President Trump won this district by only a narrow margin of .03%. Incumbent Representative DeBoer will need to withstand a strong challenge from her Democratic opponent to return for a third term to the state legislature.
District Overview: The district includes Holland, Park and Laketown Townships, and portions of Holland Township.
Democratic Candidate:
Joseph McClusky
Republican Candidate:
Representative Nancy DeBoer – State Representative, former teacher, radio host, and co-founder of the West Michigan Character Council.