1994 Michigan Senate election

none 1994 United States Senate election in Michigan 1994 Michigan Senate election Michigan legislative no 1990 Michigan Senate election 1990 1998 Michigan Senate election 1998 All 38 seats in the Michigan Senate 20 1994 11 08 File:Dick Posthumus (cropped).jpeg 150x150px Dick Posthumus Michigan Republican Party 31st district 1991November 9, 1990 Chambers elect new leaders 7 The Times Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-chambers-elect-new-lead/205055395/ Newspapers.com September 1, 2026 20 22 0 22 1,579,185 53.30% 3x4.svg Art Miller Jr. Michigan Democratic Party 27th district 1985April 17, 1985 Senate Dems pick Miller as new minority leader 4 The Bay City Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-senate-dems-pick-mill/204984637/ Newspapers.com September 1, 2026 18 15 1 16 1,363,334 46.01% Majority Leader Dick Posthumus Republican Party (United States) Dick Posthumus Republican Party (United States) An election was held on November 8, 1994, to elect all 38 members of the Michigan Senate for the 88th Michigan Legislature.https://mdoe.state.mi.us/legislators/Session/Details/34 Eighty-Eighth Legislature, 1995-1996 Library of Michigan September 21, 2026 In the election, the Republicans maintained their 22–16 majority over the Democrats. History In the 1990 general election, the Republicans won a 20–18 majority over the Democrats, the same result of the 1986 election.November 7, 1990 GOP, Dems trade state Senate seats 6 Grand Haven Tribune https://www.newspapers.com/article/grand-haven-tribune-gop-dems-trade-stat/204983615/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 In November 1992, conservative Democrat Gilbert DiNello defected to the Republican Party.November 16, 1992 Maverick senator switches to GOP 7 Muskegon Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-maverick-senator/206432180/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 In a March 1993 special election, Republican Joel Gougeon won a special election for a seat previously held by Democrat James Barcia, who resigned to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.March 17, 1993 To victor goes more warfare or ethics loss 6 The Bay City Times https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-bay-city-times-to-victor-goes-more-w/185302403/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 In May 1994, Democratic State Sen. David S. Holmes Jr. died.November 30, 1994 Patricia Holmes takes father's Senate seat 3 The Times Herald https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-herald-patricia-holmes-takes-f/82388730/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 In June, Governor John Engler declared the special election to fill the vacancy his death left in the Senate would be held on November 8, alongside the general election.June 9, 1994 Bill to reopen Senate race gets the votes 14 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-bill-to-reopen-senate/206433114/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 These changes left the state Senate with a 22–15 Republican majority over the Democrats before the 1994 general election.August 3, 1994 Party-switcher DiNello wins GOP primary, targeted by Dems 4 The Flint Journal https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-flint-journal-party-switcher-dinello/206433500/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 This was the first election after redistricting occurred, based on the 1990 census. Initially, Democratic State Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick filed to run for the state Senate in the 3rd district's Democratic primary, but withdrew upon learning that David S. Holmes was also running for re-election in the same district. Holmes died days after the filing deadline.August 5, 1994 On the Campaign Trail 19 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-on-the-campaign-trail/206437170/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 The Michigan Legislature passed a bill, reopening the deadline, allowing Kilpatrick and other prospective candidates to refile for the primary. Henry Stallings II, who had been Holmes's only challenger in the primary before he died, challenged the bill, claiming it was unconstitutional.June 11, 1994 Suit cites new filing deadline 30 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-suit-cites-new-filing/206437050/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 The law was voided by a circuit court ruling in June.June 18, 1994 Judge strikes down law the reopened Senate race 3 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-judge-strikes-down-la/206438225/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 Kilpatrick would run an unsuccessful write-in campaign against Stallings in the primary. The primary election was held on August 2. Incumbents saw re-election, including DiNello. The Associated Press reported that DiNello was expected to face a serious primary challenge due to his party swap, though he would win his primary by a large margin. The Democrats viewed his state Senate seat as vulnerable in the general election. The general election was held on November 8. Republican incumbent DiNello lost re-election, but the Republicans managed to win another seat. Republican Loren Bennett won the seat left open by the retiring of Democrat William Faust.November 10, 1994 GOP takes crucial seat to win control of state House 2 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-gop-takes-crucial-sea/206576316/ Newspapers.com September 23, 2026 The elected maintained their 22–16 majority over the Democrats.November 13, 1994 Legislative highlights 20 The Herald-Palladium https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-palladium-legislative-highlig/206434738/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 Following the election, Republican Dick Posthumus was re-elected majority leader. Art Miller Jr. was re-elected by the Democrats as minority leader.November 11, 1994 Caucus members pick leaders for new legislature 28 Kalamazoo Gazette https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kalamazoo-gazette-caucus-members-pic/206435314/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 The state Senate was sworn in on January 11, 1995.January 11, 1995 GOP out in front in Lansing 1 Battle Creek Enquirer https://www.newspapers.com/article/battle-creek-enquirer-gop-out-in-front-i/206447478/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 Results The following are the official results from the Michigan Secretary of State.https://web.archive.org/web/20000517032316/http://www.sos.state.mi.us/law_and_elect/genres94/d07/index.html http://www.sos.state.mi.us/law_and_elect/genres94/d07/index.html 1994 General Election Information Michigan Department of State May 17, 2000 September 21, 2026April 27, 1994 GOP fails to capture House 3 Muskegon Chronicle https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-muskegon-chronicle-gop-fails-to-capt/185303621/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026November 10, 1994 What Changes 26 Detroit Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-what-changes/206400596/ Newspapers.com September 21, 2026 Statewide Party Candi-dates Votes Seats No. % No. +/– % Republican Party 38 1,579,185 53.30% 22 57.89% Democratic Party 38 1,363,334 46.01% 16 1 42.10% Libertarian Party 6 15,223 0.51% 0 0.00% Natural Law Party 3 3,115 0.10% 0 0.00% Independents 1 944 0.03% 0 0.00% Write-ins 835 0.02% 0 0.00%Total 86 2,962,636 100.00% 38 100.00% By district 1st District Democratic Party (US) Joe Young Jr. 39208 58.96 Republican Party (US) Peter Ecklund Jr. 27288 41.03 2 0.00 66498 100.0 2nd District Democratic Party (US) Virgil C. Smith (incumbent) 47174 88.57 Republican Party (US) Carolyn Smith 6081 11.41 1 0.00 53256 100.0 3rd District Democratic Party (US) Henry Stallings II 45788 90.45 Republican Party (US) Carole Cromwell 3887 7.67 Independent politician Stephen McCoy 944 1.86 50619 100.0 4th District Democratic Party (US) Jackie Vaughn III (incumbent) 62715 95.62 Republican Party (US) Eunice Myles 2865 4.36 1 0.00 65581 100.0 5th District Democratic Party (US) Michael O'Brien (incumbent) 51291 90.86 Republican Party (US) Tondria Canty 5155 9.13 56446 100.0 6th District Democratic Party (US) George Z. Hart (incumbent) 43947 52.61 Republican Party (US) Nancy Hubbard 39570 47.37 2 0.00 83519 100.0 7th District Democratic Party (US) Christopher D. Dingell (incumbent) 41049 61.48 Republican Party (US) Bob Keller 25708 38.50 1 0.00 66758 100.0 8th District Republican Party (US) Loren Bennett 32744 51.35 Democratic Party (US) Charles Griffin 31011 48.63 6 0.00 63761 100.0 9th District Republican Party (US) R. Robert Geake (incumbent) 59463 66.18 Democratic Party (US) Patrick O'Neil 30376 33.80 6 0.00 89845 100.0 10th District Democratic Party (US) Art Miller Jr. (incumbent) 42919 59.46 Republican Party (US) Mary Giordano 29249 40.52 11 0.01 72179 100.0 11th District Democratic Party (US) Kenneth DeBeaussaert 42562 53.28 Republican Party (US) Gilbert DiNello (incumbent) 37313 46.71 2 0.00 79877 100.0 12th District Republican Party (US) Doug Carl (incumbent) 56492 70.36 Democratic Party (US) Morton Kripke 23777 29.61 13 0.01 80282 100.0 13th District Republican Party (US) Mike Bouchard (incumbent) 59846 65.84 Democratic Party (US) Robert Boyd 28871 31.76 Libertarian Party (US) Henry Freriks 2141 2.35 29 0.03 90887 100.0 14th District Democratic Party (US) Gary Peters 48351 56.54 Republican Party (US) Michael Warren 33767 39.49 Libertarian Party (US) Richard Gach 1884 2.20 Natural Law Party (US) Stuart Goldberg 1427 1.66 75 0.08 85504 100.0 15th District Republican Party (US) Dave Honigman (incumbent) 65592 64.47 Democratic Party (US) Vicki Barnett 32357 31.80 Libertarian Party (US) David Thompson 3718 3.65 67 0.06 101734 100.0 16th District Republican Party (US) Mat J. Dunaskiss (incumbent) 63804 67.90 Democratic Party (US) Kevin Kelly 25426 27.05 Libertarian Party (US) Leslie Balian 4679 4.97 54 0.05 93963 100.0 17th District Democratic Party (US) Jim Berryman (incumbent) 37667 52.52 Republican Party (US) Sharon Miller 34032 47.45 9 0.01 71708 100.0 18th District Democratic Party (US) Alma Wheeler Smith 46721 56.73 Republican Party (US) Joe Mikulec 35593 43.22 29 0.03 82343 100.0 19th District Republican Party (US) Philip Hoffman (incumbent) 47194 70.23 Democratic Party (US) Bob Clark 18367 27.33 Libertarian Party (US) Nicholas Bennett 1634 2.43 67195 100.0 20th District Republican Party (US) Harry Gast (incumbent) 46574 70.08 Democratic Party (US) John Brademas 19815 29.81 69 0.10 66458 100.0 21st District Republican Party (US) Dale Shugars 42171 57.46 Democratic Party (US) Kristin Carambula 30383 41.40 Natural Law Party (US) Nancy Brancheau 833 1.13 73387 100.0 22nd District Republican Party (US) William Van Regenmorter (incumbent) 62971 77.43 Democratic Party (US) José Blanco 18285 22.48 63 0.07 81319 100.0 23rd District Republican Party (US) Joanne G. Emmons (incumbent) 49119 68.56 Democratic Party (US) Scott Manning 22521 31.43 1 0.00 71641 100.0 24th District Republican Party (US) Joe Schwarz (incumbent) 54194 65.30 Democratic Party (US) Violet Hinton 28743 34.63 43 0.05 82980 100.0 25th District Democratic Party (US) Dianne Byrum 54647 63.05 Republican Party (US) Marie Martell 32012 36.93 1 0.00 86660 100.0 26th District Republican Party (US) Mike Rogers 58046 64.34 Democratic Party (US) Mike Hatty 32141 35.62 28 0.03 90215 100.0 27th District Republican Party (US) Dan DeGrow (incumbent) 56887 66.34 Democratic Party (US) Ron Stablein 28813 33.60 50 0.05 85750 100.0 28th District Democratic Party (US) John D. Cherry (incumbent) 46741 61.63 Republican Party (US) Dominick Vincentini 29071 38.33 19 0.02 75831 100.0 29th District Democratic Party (US) Joe Conroy (incumbent) 57263 70.52 Republican Party (US) Jeff Goodrich 23933 29.47 2 0.00 81198 100.0 30th District Republican Party (US) Glenn Steil Sr. (incumbent) 43911 57.28 Democratic Party (US) David Doyle 30719 40.07 Libertarian Party (US) Steve Butler 1167 1.52 Natural Law Party (US) Constantine Katsoris 855 1.11 2 0.00 76654 100.0 31st District Republican Party (US) Dick Posthumus (incumbent) 65919 78.91 Democratic Party (US) Donald Reid 17604 21.07 9 0.01 83532 100.0 32nd District Republican Party (US) Leon Stille 48076 59.67 Democratic Party (US) Julia Dennis 32441 40.26 49 0.06 80566 100.0 33rd District Republican Party (US) Jon Cisky (incumbent) 48647 58.23 Democratic Party (US) Rose Aquilina 34764 41.61 121 0.14 83532 100.0 34th District Republican Party (US) Joel Gougeon (incumbent) 48824 61.49 Democratic Party (US) W. Hayes 30566 38.49 4 0.00 79394 100.0 35th District Republican Party (US) Bill Schuette 61121 71.91 Democratic Party (US) Rosemary Ax 23870 28.08 1 0.00 84992 100.0 36th District Republican Party (US) George A. McManus Jr. (incumbent) 65241 70.85 Democratic Party (US) Joel Casler 26794 29.09 47 0.05 92082 100.0 37th District Republican Party (US) Walter H. North 54213 63.08 Democratic Party (US) Mike McElroy 31711 36.90 8 0.00 85932 100.0 38th District Democratic Party (US) Don Koivisto (incumbent) 55936 71.20 Republican Party (US) Charles Best 22612 28.78 10 0.01 78558 100.0 Special election In June 1994, Governor John Engler announced a special election would be held on November 8, alongside the general election. The special election was triggered by the death of Democrat David S. Holmes Jr., on May 21. The primary election was held on August 2. The Democratic primary was won by Patricia Holmes, the daughter of David Holmes. She defeated her stepmother and David Holmes's widow, Avis Holmes. Patricia Holmes went on to win the special general election unopposed. She was sworn in on November 29. 4th District special election Democratic Party (US) Patricia Holmes 15858 100.0 15858 100.0 See also 1994 Michigan House of Representatives election References Senate Category:Michigan Senate elections Michigan Senate Category:November 1994 in the United States