Midland Mailing Absentee Ballots for May 5 Special Election

Midland voters can now expect to receive absentee ballots for the May 5 special election to fill the vacant 35th District Senate seat, with the City Clerk's Office beginning distribution to registered voters on the Permanent Absentee Ballot Mailing list and those who have submitted absentee ballot applications.

The race has drawn significant attention as it could determine whether Democrats maintain their slim 19-18 majority in the state Senate or fall one seat short. Republican Jason Tunney, a Saginaw lawyer and businessman, faces Democrat Chedrick Greene, a Saginaw firefighter and Marine Corps veteran, alongside Libertarian candidate Ali Sledz, a Midland mother and Army spouse pursuing a master's degree in counseling.

What's on the Ballot

Voters in the 35th District will be choosing a state senator to represent parts of Midland, Bay and Saginaw counties. The district is being watched as a potential bellwether for the upcoming November midterm elections.

Tunney has campaigned on business-friendly policies, cutting regulations, and prioritizing spending on education, roads and public safety. He has expressed opposition to spending from the state's rainy-day fund and has called for budget cuts and hiring freezes on certain state positions.

Greene, a retired Sergeant Major in the Marines, has supported safe gun storage laws and expressed openness to taking money from the state's rainy-day fund to address the state's over $1 billion budget shortfall. He has focused his campaign on bringing quality jobs to the region and has stated that having good-paying jobs with good benefits allows small businesses to thrive.

Key Debate Moments

The candidates faced off at the Great Lakes Bay Region Candidate Forum hosted by Saginaw Valley State University on March 25. The debate highlighted significant differences between the two on several issues.

On gun control, Greene stated his support for red flag laws, which temporarily remove guns from those deemed a threat via court order. Tunney responded by saying such laws violate constitutional rights, and questioned how Greene bridges the gap between HIPAA privacy protections and gun laws. Greene insisted he supports safe gun storage laws and confirmed he is a registered firearm owner who locks his firearms.

The candidates also provided different perspectives on economic development. Tunney noted that electricians in Texas can't easily work in Michigan because they must re-licensure, while Greene pushed for more emphasis on skilled trades in high schools and attracting more manufacturers to the state.

Governor Whitmer Joins Greene on Affordability Tour

Governor Gretchen Whitmer attended a roundtable discussion with Greene in Saginaw on March 25, focusing on rising costs affecting Michigan families and small business owners. The group discussed challenges including childcare costs, gas prices, and business expenses.

Whitmer acknowledged that while she cannot control national policies like tariffs or international gas prices, state officials can deliver relief to residents. She mentioned that free school meals for all, repealing the retirement tax, and making education affordable are actions state politicians can take.

Panelists included farmer and Central Michigan University lecturer Ben Ritter, grants and projects manager Marlana Cork, early childhood assistant site administrator Erika Wilson, and business owner Ciera Crudup.

Ritter noted that nitrogen prices used for corn fertilization increased drastically after the U.S.-Israel war began, with some farmers unable to sustain the current year. Whitmer attributed some cost increases to the Trump administration's tariffs and the U.S.-Iran war.

Greene said bringing quality jobs to the Great Lakes Bay Region would help small businesses because customers would have money to spend on their products.

The Vacant Seat

The Senate seat has remained empty since Kristen McDonald Rivet left to take a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2025. Whitmer called a special election to fill the vacancy in August 2025.

The winner of the May 5 race will serve out the remaining seven months of the term and then have to run again on the November midterm ballot to continue serving through 2030.

How to Vote

Voters can track ballot status at www.Michigan.gov/vote. Midland voters can return completed absentee ballots by:

  • Mailing the signed and sealed postage-paid return envelope via United States Postal Service
  • Dropping the signed and sealed return envelope in any Official Ballot Drop Box available 24/7 at City Hall, Midland Civic Arena, or Jack Barstow Municipal Airport
  • Taking the ballot in the return envelope to their polling location on Election Day, Tuesday, May 5, while polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters may obtain an absentee ballot application at the Midland City Clerk's Office, 333 W. Ellsworth Street, Midland, MI 48640, or online at www.Michigan.gov/vote.

Why This Race Matters

Political analysts have framed the 35th District as a bellwether for the country's political climate. Lara Bell Phillips, new co-chair of the Midland County Democrats, said the race could be indicative of how people will vote in future elections and what the people of the Great Lakes Bay Area are looking for.

The district includes Saginaw, Bay City, Midland and parts of other counties in the mid-Michigan area, making it a geographically diverse battleground.

Campaign Dynamics

The Democratic Party has focused significant resources on the 35th District race. A national Democratic party group is deploying resources to support Greene's campaign.

A Republican gubernatorial candidate, Perry Johnson, recently visited the 35th District during his campaign bus tour, highlighting the area's importance. Johnson has been gaining traction in the governor race, with recent polling showing him closing the gap with incumbent U.S. Rep. John James.

Johnson told supporters at a recent stop that if you want to win Michigan, you have to win in Macomb County, which he described as a bastion for Republicans. He appeared at Da Francesco Italian Cuisine and Cafe in Shelby Township, where he stressed the importance of winning in the state.

Looking Ahead

The May 5 special election represents a critical moment for Michigan state government. The outcome could reshape the balance of power in Lansing and potentially affect legislative priorities for the remainder of the term.

Both campaigns are expected to intensify their efforts in the weeks leading up to the election, with more debates, town halls and campaign events scheduled.