Governor's attorneys argue court can't force her to call special election

[RandySF]

Attorneys for Governor Gretchen Whitmer Thursday slapped back against a lawsuit seeking to compel her to call a special election to fill a vacant state senate seat.

The state senate seat representing parts of Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties has been empty since January. Governor Whitmer has said she plans to call a special election, but to date she hasn’t.

Earlier this month, residents in the 35th district filed a lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims, asking the court to compel the governor to call an election to fill the seat.

But in the governor’s response to the lawsuit, Whitmer’s attorneys argue the Court of Claims does not have the authority to compel the Governor to act.



https://www.michiganpublic.org/politics-government/2025-08-28/governors-attorneys-argue-court-cant-force-her-to-call-special-election

[Justice Brandeis]

1. Rick Snyder did the same thing in leaving John Conyers' congressional seat vacant for like 10 months after he died

It's hardball and it has to be done if the other side is going to do it.

[FadedMullet]

2. Absolutely right. It's hardball, it's gamemanship, and I don't like it, but it's got to be done.

[MichMan]

3. The open seat in question was held by a Democrat

[MichMan]

4. Conyers seat was left vacant pending the regularly scheduled August primary and special/ general election in November

Brenda Jones was the winner and served for 8 weeks until Conyer's term expired. Rashida Tlaib, who won the general election,, then took over the seat