After Tuesday’s election, Michigan Democrats are set to take complete control of both chambers of Michigan’s legislature. This will be the first time in almost 40 years that Democrats will have control of the Michigan House of Representatives, Michigan Senate and the Michigan Governor’s Mansion.
The last time that Democrats held a majority in the state Senate was in 1984 – when the first Ghostbusters movie was in theaters. Democrats are poised to hold at least 19 of the 38 open seats. If they continue with 19, Democratic Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II would serve as the tie-breaking vote as president of the senate.
As for the state House, The Associated Press predicted 56 of the 110 seats going to Democrats, giving them a one-member majority over Republicans.
State Sen. Jeremy Moss, co-chair of the Senate Democratic Campaign, said in a statement on Twitter that the new majority was a victory for “everyone.”
“For more than a generation, Senate Republicans have held the veto power on the state government, holding back solutions on real problems in Michigan,” Moss said in the statement. “Together, we will put an end to the tired business as usual in the Legislature and start a new chapter of bold leadership.”
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, who is leaving office at the end of the year because of current term limits, told The Detroit News that he acknowledged the loss of the chamber majority.
“While not the outcome I was hoping for, I offer my congratulations to my Democratic colleagues. We will do our part for a smooth transition,” Shirkey told the outlet.
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