Michigan State House election results were still being counted early Wednesday, with Bill Huizenga neck and neck against Sean McCann and Tom Barrett trailing Will Lawrence. The had not called either race by 6 a.m., and the same was true in the third closely watched contest in Macomb County.
Huizenga and McCann
Huizenga, a US Rep. and Republican incumbent, has served in the US House since 2011 and was seeking a ninth term. McCann, a state Sen. and Democratic challenger, has represented parts of southwest Michigan in the Michigan Legislature on and off since 2011. Their race in southwest Michigan was one of the three most contested races for Michigan’s congressional delegation.
The final count also carried broader control implications because Republicans held a seven-six edge in Michigan’s congressional delegation before the remaining ballots were finished. In a race this close, every uncounted ballot can matter because the margin has to absorb late-counted votes before anyone can be called the winner.
Will Lawrence in Michigan
Lawrence declared victory early Wednesday and said, “our people-powered movement took on the richest and most powerful people in the world, and we won.” He beat out two centrist candidates in the primary and campaigned against high prices, the Iran War and data centers.
Barrett sought to distance himself from Donald Trump, but he was trailing Lawrence as counting continued in mid-Michigan’s 7th District. Political analysts have called the district a bellwether for national control of a US House, and it includes Clinton, Shiawassee, Ingham and Livingston counties and parts of Eaton and Oakland counties.
Macomb County 10th District
In Macomb County’s 10th District, Democrat Christina Hines held a small lead over Republican Michael Bouchard in the race for a seat John James left to run for governor. With an estimated 10 percent of ballots still uncounted, the had not called that race as of 6 a.m., and Hines led by 6 percentage points.
Hines declared victory and said she “could not be more excited to get to work” on lowering costs and fighting to “ensure everyone has access to affordable, quality healthcare.” Bouchard conceded as the count continued, leaving the remaining ballots to settle whether the lead holds across the final tally.
