2020 Michigan House of Representatives election

An election was held on November 3, 2020, to elect all 110 members to Michigan's House of Representatives. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including U.S. President, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House of Representatives. Michigan Republican Party retained control of the chamber. As of 2023, this was the last time Republicans controlled the Michigan House of Representatives.

Background
In the 2018 Michigan House of Representatives election, the Michigan Republican Party narrowly retained their majority on the chamber.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, elections proceeded as planned, though with a larger number of mail-in ballots than usual.

In October 2020, The Washington Post identified this state election as one of eight whose outcomes could affect partisan balance during post-census redistricting.

Term-limited members
Under the Michigan Constitution, members of the state Senate can only serve two four-year terms, and members of the House of Representatives are limited to three two-year terms, some of the toughest term-limit laws in the country.

Democrats

 * LaTanya Garrett
 * Wendell Byrd
 * Vanessa Guerra

Republicans

 * Kathy Crawford
 * Larry C. Inman

Marginal districts
The following districts would be considered marginal seats.

Republican-held targets
These Republican-held districts were the most vulnerable to Democratic challengers.

Democratic-held targets
These Democratic districts were the most vulnerable to Republican challengers.

Close races
Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
 * 1) District 19, 0.4%
 * 2) District 48, 1% (gain)
 * 3) District 62, 2.64%
 * 4) District 38, 3.24% (gain)
 * 5) District 104, 3.87%
 * 6) District 71, 3.91%
 * 7) District 45, 4.7%
 * 8) District 23, 5.1%
 * 9) District 39, 5.39%
 * 10) District 25, 5.72%
 * 11) District 61, 8.14% (gain)
 * 12) District 50, 8.48%
 * 13) District 67, 8.68%
 * 14) District 96, 9.2% (gain)

District 1
In the 1st district Democratic incumbent Tenisha Yancey won her primary unopposed on August 4. On November 3, Yancey defeated the Republican nominee, Latricia Ann Lanier, in the general election.

District 2
In the 2nd district, Joe Tate won re-election.

District 3
Incumbent Democrat Wendell Byrd stood down in the 3rd district due to term limits.

District 4
Incumbent representative Isaac Robinson died in March 2020 of a suspected COVID-19 infection. Twelve Democrats ran to succeed him, but Abraham Aiyash was elected as the Democratic nominee for the seat. On November 3, Aiyash defeated the Republican nominee Howard Weathington in the general election.

District 5
In the 5th district, Cynthia A. Johnson faced two Democratic challengers in the primary. Jermaine Tobey and Rita Ross, the sister of singer Diana Ross. Johnson won her primary and won against Republican nominee Harold Day in the general election.

District 6
In the 6th district, Democrat Tyrone Carter is running for re-election in the general election unopposed. He won his primary election, beating challengers Ivy Nichole Neal and David Palmer. There was no Republican primary held.

District 7
Incumbent Democrat LaTanya Garrett stood down in the 7th district due to term limits. Helena Scott was the Democratic nominee and Ronald Cole was the Republican nominee. On November 3, Scott defeated Cole in the general election.

District 8
Incumbent Democrat Sherry Gay-Dagnogo did not run in the primary, instead running to be on the Detroit school board. Democrat Stephanie Young was elected as the Democratic nominee in the 8th district. On November 3, Young defeated Republican nominee Miroslawa Teresa Gorak in the general election.

District 9
In the 9th district, Democrat Karen Whitsett won re-election.

District 10
In the 10th district, incumbent Democrat Leslie Love was unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

District 11
In the 11th district, incumbent Democrat Jewell Jones won re-election.

District 12
In the 12th district, incumbent Democrat Alex Garza won re-election.

District 13
In the 13th district, incumbent Democrat Frank Liberati was unable to run for re-election due to term limits.

District 14
In the 14th district, incumbent Democrat Cara Clemente won re-election.

District 19
[[File:MIHD19 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#7996E2|Pohutsky}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}{{legend|#E27F7F|Ptashnik}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}]] In the 19th district, Democrat Laurie Pohutsky ran for re-election. Her Republican opponent was Martha Ptashnik. Pohutsky narrowly won re-election

District 23
In the 23rd district, Democrat Darrin Camilleri won re-election. He was challenged by Republican nominee John Poe.

District 25
In the 25th district, Democrat Nate Shannon won re-election. His Republican opponent was Paul Smith.

District 38
In the 38th district, incumbent Republican Kathy Crawford was prevented from running for re-election due to term limits. Kelly Breen was elected as a Democrat in this Republican district.

District 39
In the 39th district, incumbent Republican Ryan Berman won re-election.


 * Generic Democrat vs Generic Republican

District 45
In the 45th district, incumbent Republican Michael Webber could not run for re-election due to term-limits.

District 47
[[File:MIHD48 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#E27F7F|Martin}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}{{legend|#7996E2|Kennedy}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#3933E5|80–90%}}]]

District 51
On August 4, 2020, the primary elections occurred. Incumbent Republican Mike Mueller ran unopposed. Brad May, a mental health clinician, was nominated on the Democratic ticket. In the primary, May defeated Conner Wallace. Wallace later endorsed May's candidacy.

On September 18, 2020, the Michigan Republican Party pointed to May's criminal record, which included conviction for robbery, possession of cocaine, and retail fraud. The state Republican Party criticized the Michigan Education Association for endorsing him, despite his criminal past. May responded to these allegations. He confirmed that they were true, but also claimed that he had made significant improvements to his life since his convictions, and that through his work as a clinician, has been able to help those who had been in a similar position to himself.

In the general election on November 3, 2020, Mueller was re-elected, defeating May.

District 61
[[File:MIHD61 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#7996E2|Morse}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}

{{legend|#584CDE|70–80%}}{{legend|#E27F7F|Haltom}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}]] Incumbent Republican Brandt Iden was term limited, which made the 61st district an open seat. The primaries occurred on August 4 and decided that Republican nominee Bronwyn Haltom was to run against incumbent Kalamazoo County Commissioner, Christine Morse, as the Democratic nominee. Morse won the seat.


 * Generic Democrat vs Generic Republican

District 62
Incumbent Democrat Jim Haadsma won re-election in the 62nd district against Republican nominee Dave Morgan.

District 66
In the 66th district, Republican Beth Griffin won reelection.

District 71
In Michigan's 71st House of Representatives district, Democrat Angela Witwer was re-elected.

District 79
In the 79th district Pauline Wendzel won re-election.

District 96
[[File:MIHD96 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#E27F7F|Beson}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#D75D5D|60–70%}}{{legend|#7996E2|Elder}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}]]

District 104
In the 104th district, incumbent Republican Larry Inman did not run for re-election due to term limits. District 104 was the number 1 target for the Democrats but was retained for the GOP by John Roth.

District 109
[[File:MIHD109 State House 2020 Counties.svg|thumb|Results by county {{legend|#7996E2|Cambensy}}

{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}{{legend|#E27F7F|Wagner}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}]] [[File:MIHD109 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#7996E2|Cambensy}}

{{legend|#A5B0FF|40–50%}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}

{{legend|#584CDE|70–80%}}{{legend|#E27F7F|Wagner}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}

{{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}

{{legend|#C21B18|80–90%}}]]

District 110
Gregory Markkanen was re-elected in the 110th district.

[[File:MIHD110 State House 2020 Counties.svg|thumb|Results by county {{legend|#E27F7F|Markkanen}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}{{legend|#7996E2|Metsa}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}]] [[File:MIHD110 State House 2020.svg|thumb|Results by precinct {{legend|#E27F7F|Markkanen}}

{{legend|#E27F7F|50–60%}}

{{legend|#d75d5d|60–70%}}

{{legend|#D72F30|70–80%}}{{legend|#7996E2|Metsa}}

{{legend|#A5B0FF|40–50%}}

{{legend|#7996E2|50–60%}}

{{legend|#6674DE|60–70%}}]]