The Michigan 35th State Senate district held a special election on Tuesday, with Democratic candidate Cedric Greene, Republican Jason Tannen, and Libertarian candidate Ali Slezak vying for the vacant seat. The district lies about 100 miles north of Detroit, encompassing Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland. The outcome will directly determine whether Democrats can maintain their narrow 19-to-18 majority in the state senate during the final months of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term. If Greene wins, the Democrats will retain control. If Tannen prevails, the senate will be evenly split—though Lieutenant Governor Jil Chris-tie II could cast a deciding vote, the Republicans might still block legislation through non-unanimous voting. The Michigan House of Representatives is currently under Republican control. This special election, which lasts only until year-end, has drawn national attention as an early indicator of sentiment ahead of the fall midterm elections. District 35 includes parts of Saginaw County, the only county in Michigan to have voted for the winning presidential candidate in each of the past five presidential elections. Greene, a firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, emphasizes lowering the cost of living and supporting labor unions. Tannen, a former prosecutor running as a conservative Republican, highlights his local roots in Saginaw. Republicans have criticized Governor Whitmer for delaying the special election, leaving the district without a state senator for nearly 500 days. In contrast, Democrats have invested heavily and brought in high-profile figures such as Pete Buttigieg and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin to campaign, aiming to preserve their senate majority and build momentum ahead of the November elections.
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Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864415931396169/
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