## Chedrick Greene Wins Special Election in Lansing, Restores Democratic Majority in State Senate

LANSING, Mich. — Democrat Chedrick Greene won a special election in Michigan on Tuesday, securing his party's control of the state Senate through the end of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's term.

Greene, a Saginaw firefighter and Marine veteran, defeated Republican Jason Tunney in the race for Michigan's 35th Senate District. The district includes communities in Bay, Midland and Saginaw counties.

The victory keeps Democrats in a 19-18 majority in the chamber. Had Tunney prevailed, the Senate would have been tied at 18-18, making it harder for Democrats to advance their agenda.

## Union Voters Mobilized in Final Weeks of Campaign

Union members across the region mobilized in the final weeks of the campaign with volunteers gathering at UAW Local 699 to knock doors and speak directly with fellow union members about the importance of electing someone who understands working-class issues.

"This victory shows what happens when working-class people organize and show up," said Steve Dawes, UAW Region 1D Director. "Union members talked to their neighbors, their coworkers, and their communities because they know Chedrick Greene will be on the side of working people in Lansing."

Greene's victory is expected to reinforce labor-backed priorities in the Legislature including protecting union jobs, expanding economic opportunity, and defending collective bargaining rights.

## Greene Takes 58.9 Percent of Vote

Greene took 58.9 percent of the vote compared with Tunney's 39.4 percent according to unofficial results in Michigan's 35th Senate District. Libertarian candidate Ali Sledz lagged far back in third place.

"We delivered this decisive victory by listening and speaking to the things keeping everyday people up at night — worries about affordability, safety, and freedom," Greene said on social media.

## Race Watched as Indicator for Midterms

The race is being watched as a test of voter sentiment ahead of the midterm elections when Democrats are looking to regain power in Congress.

"It's really this microcosm of the Midwest, frankly," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet of the seat she left upon entering Congress. "Given how much it resembles so many other places across the country, we have to look at it and say, this is an indicator of how things are going to go in November."

## Tunney Concedes, Vowing to Run Again in November

Tunney conceded the 35th state Senate district race saying he "fell short" but vowing to run again in November. The term at play runs only through the end of the year, leaving the seat up for reelection again in the fall.

"This is only the halfway point," Tunney said. "As we head into November, the contrast between Chedrick and myself will only become clearer to more voters. I'm excited about what lies ahead, and I'm not going anywhere."

## Democratic Strategists Cite Heavy Spending

Democrats heavily outspent Republicans in the special election. Sen. Roger Hauck, R-Mount Pleasant and co-chair of the Michigan Senate Republican Campaign Committee, said in a statement Democrats broke the bank to rent a seat for six months.

"We've always been focused on winning a majority in the fall, while the Dems broke the bank to rent a seat for six months," Hauck said in a statement.

## Greene's Legislative Priorities Focus on Working-Class Issues

Greene previously told the Free Press boosting funding for public schools and increasing support to expand manufacturing jobs in Michigan are among his key legislative priorities.

Greene said he plans to focus on protecting union jobs, expanding economic opportunity, and defending collective bargaining rights in the Legislature.

## Associated Press Reporter Robert Yoon Contributed from Washington