Inside the fight for the Michigan state Legislature
Michigan is one of the country’s key battlegrounds as Democrats and Republicans tussle for control of state legislatures. The GOP has dominated state capitals for more than a decade, but Democrats are ramping up their spending on these contests throughout the U.S. With Congress largely hamstrung by divided control, state legislatures are increasingly setting the country’s policy agenda.
Riding high after their two years in control, Democrats say they are the party with the money and the momentum. What Democrats have done in Michigan has created a blueprint for Democrats across the country on how to wield newfound power at the state level.
But Republicans just need to flip two seats — and their fortunes are tied to Donald Trump, who has strong support in this must-win state. GOP operatives hope that the former president keeps a consistent presence in Michigan, helping down-ballot candidates beat expectations on Election Day.
The November matchup will also be a test of which party has the strongest ground game: who can assemble their teams of campaign volunteers to knock the most doors and distribute the most mailers, all in an effort to overcome the lack of name ID down ballot candidates face. But the intense national interest here in Michigan has transformed the nature of these races, upping the pressure on Democrats to maintain their hold on the state Legislature and on Republicans to take it away.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/25/michigan-state-legislature-democrats-republicans-00180576