January 3, 2006

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced that special elections will be held to fill vacancies in the 29th and 56th Districts of the Michigan House of Representatives and the 23rd District of the Michigan Senate.

The special elections to fill the House seats will be held concurrent with the upcoming August primary election on Tuesday, August 8, 2006, and November general election on November 7, 2006.  The deadline for Democratic and Republican candidates to file nominating petitions or filing fees will be 4:00 p.m. on May 16, 2006.  Candidates without party affiliation may file qualifying petitions until 4:00 p.m. July 20, 2006.

The 23rd Senate District vacancy will be filled in a special election on March 14, 2006.  If a primary election is needed in the 23rd Senate District, it will be held on February 21, 2006.  The deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions or filing fees and for minor party candidates to qualify will be 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 10, 2006.

The 29th House District vacancy was created by the resignation of State Representative Clarence Phillips who is now the mayor of the city of Pontiac.  The 29th District is located within Oakland County and includes the cities of Auburn Hills and Pontiac.

The 56th House District vacancy was created by the death of State Representative Herb S. Kehrl of Monroe.  The 56th District is located within Monroe County and includes the cities of Luna Pier and Monroe and the following townships:  Ash, Berlin, Exeter, Frenchtown, Ida, LaSalle, London, Monroe, and Raisinville.

The 23rd Senate District vacancy was created by the resignation of State Senator Virgil Bernero who is now the mayor of the city of Lansing.  The 23rd District is located within Ingham County and includes the cities of East Lansing, Lansing and Williamston, and the following townships:  Alaiedon, Aurelius, Delhi, Ingham, Lansing, Leroy, Locke, Meridian, Onondaga, Wheatfield, White Oak, and Williamstown.

If the special election to fill the Senate vacancy results in an additional vacancy in the House of Representatives, Governor Granholm indicated her intent to call a special election to fill such a vacancy to be held concurrent with the regular August 8 primary election and the regular November 7 general election.

Holding special elections for vacancies in the House of Representatives at the time of a regularly scheduled election is not unprecedented.  The vacancies in the created by the January 2004 resignation of State Representative Daniel Paletko, the January 1992 resignation of State Representative Teola Hunter, and the March 1988 resignation of State Representative Virgil Smith were all filled by special primaries held in August and special elections in November, concurrent with the regular elections held in each of those years.

When a vacancy in the State Senate occurs in January, holding a special election to fill the vacancy the next March also is not unprecedented.  The vacancy in the Michigan Senate created by the January 2001 resignation of State Senator Mike Rogers was filled at a special election held on March 20, 2001.  Similarly, a vacancy created by the January 1999 resignation of State Senator Michael Bouchard was filled at a special election held on March 16, 1999, the vacancy created by the January 1993 resignation of State Senator Nick Smith was filled at a special election held on March 15, 1993, and the vacancy created by the January 1993 resignation of State Senator Jim Barcia also was filled at a special election held on March 15, 1993.

Under the Michigan Constitution and the Michigan Election Law, the decision on whether to call a special election to fill a vacancy in the office of state representative or state senator and the selection of dates for a special election are left to the discretion of the Governor.

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