LANSING — When the Michigan State House of Representatives reconvenes in January, Republicans will have a 58-52 majority – just two years after losing it to Democrats. With the new majority comes a new Speaker of the House and Representative Matt Hall has been selected by his caucus. The formal nomination and vote will take place on the first day of session.
“The people of Michigan elected a new House Republican majority to put our state back on the road to success,” Hall said in a statement. “Our focus will be on serving the people of our great state. Michiganders want safe neighborhoods, high-paying careers, effective schools, and secure elections. House Republicans are ready to get to work to make our state the best place to raise a family safely and affordably.”
For Democrats, the loss of four seats was a historic rebuke of the leadership of now-Speaker Joe Tate of Detroit. Just a day after the loss, Tate bowed out of the race for Democratic leader, although it is not clear Tate would have had the support of his newly shrunken caucus. Instead, Democrats will be lead by Representative Ranjeev Puri of Canton.
“The cornerstone of our democracy is lifting up the voices of those we represent to help shape the laws and policies that impact everyday life,” Puri said in a statment. “I will work tirelessly to be an advocate for the diverse populations represented by the members of the House Democratic Caucus. The next term is our opportunity to coalesce around our shared values, solidify our unity as a caucus, reach across the aisle when possible and focus our energy on a path to majority.”
Democrats also elected Representative John Fitzgerald to serve as floor leader:
“I am incredibly humbled to have been entrusted with the role of floor leader by my colleagues of the 103rd legislature. Having the opportunity to serve Michiganders in this position means more than I can express,” Fitzgerald said. “House Democrats will have ample opportunity to ensure the chamber lives up to its promise to the people of Michigan to be a consensus-building institution, and I intend to be diligent in my role as Democratic floor leader.”
