SAGINAW, Mich. — Chedrick Greene won Michigan’s 35th Senate District seat Tuesday, ending more than a year without representation for residents in parts of Saginaw, Midland and Bay counties.
Greene, a Marine veteran and fire captain, emphasized his campaign promises, including tax breaks for Michigan’s most vulnerable, making homes more affordable, better paying jobs, work programs, protections for Medicaid and protecting funding for free pre-K and school meals.
His win means the Democratic majority will remain in the state Senate.
“This is a win for freedom, patriotic freedom, loving people will have a decorated Marine who have a decorated marine who risked his life to defend his country and constitution standing up to make sure everyone’s rights are respected and protected,” Greene said.
Greene also makes history as the first African American to win the seat.
Greene said he received a call from his opponent Jason Tunney and said he thanked Tunney for his efforts in the special election.
Tunney, a Saginaw attorney and former prosecutor, campaigned on cutting taxes and tightening transparency in government.
“Taxes is just part of the affordability issue. Right now, when affordability is an issue, we don’t need Lansing piling on and asking for more money from us. The hard-working taxpayers of Mid-Michigan,” Tunney said.
The seat is only temporary. Voters will head back to the polls in November. Tuesday’s results could shape how lawmakers negotiate everything from policy to the state budget in the months ahead.
His predecessor, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, was also present Tuesday to show her support for Greene, and other state democrats are showing their support.
“Today, voters put a check on Republican policies which have led to skyrocketing gas prices and higher costs of groceries, housing, and health care,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “Michiganders need real relief right now, and they know that Chedrick Greene will help get the job done.”
The 35th Senate District seat has been vacant since January 2025, when Kristen McDonald Rivet left for Washington after winning a U.S. House seat. The district covers parts of Saginaw, Bay City and Midland counties.
Multiple people from the district had filed a complaint in the Michigan Court of Claims to compel Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue a special election, which she then ordered in August 2025.
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