LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – One seat in Michigan’s Senate has not had representation since its former occupant won a Congressional seat on Nov. 5, 2024.

Newly elected Democratic Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet is now serving in Washington, D.C. where former Rep. Dan Kildee served for many years before retiring. McDonald Rivet’s former seat in Lansing can only be filled by a special election called by the governor, per the Michigan Constitution.

Why the delay? “It’s political.”

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Senate Minority Leader and GOP gubernatorial candidate Aric Nesbitt is hoping to take Whitmer’s seat in November 2026. Sen. Nesbitt appeared on The Steve Gruber Show on Monday and chided Whitmer for ignoring the special election.

“This is the longest any governor has not called for a special election in recent history,” Sen. Nesbitt told Gruber. He also said some members of Whitmer’s team admitted a few weeks ago why Whitmer hasn’t called for a special election. “Even the staff said this is a completely political decision.”

What does the law say?

The Michigan Constitution does not have a timetable for holding special elections, and the discretion is left to the governor. Nesbitt said right now there are 19 Democrats in the Senate with 18 Republicans. Nesbitt said if a Republican won the seat, Whitmer would be forced to work with both the GOP-controlled House and the evenly-split Senate.

In 2023, two Michigan lawmakers won mayoral elections, thus leaving their seats vacant. Whitmer called for special elections and two Democrats were seated by spring.

Nesbitt encouraged people in that district to “put the pressure” on Whitmer. “At the end of the day, people without a voice in the Senate is wrong,” he said.