An election was held on November 4, 1986, to elect all 38 members of the Michigan Senate for the 84th Michigan Legislature. In the election, the Republicans maintained the 20–18 majority they had won in a 1983 special election.
History In the 1982 general election, Democrats lost four seats in the state Senate, but maintained a majority. There where were 20 Democratic state senators and 18 Republican state senators. In November 1982, two Democratic state senators faced successful recall elections. The first was Philip Mastin in the 8th district, and the second was David M. Serotkin in the 9th district. The recalls were triggered by their support for a temporary increase in state income tax. They were the first state legislators recalled in Michigan history. Both state senators were replaced by Republicans in the subsequent special election in January 1983. Mastin was replaced by Rudy Nichols and Serotkin was replaced by Kirby Holmes. The special election gave Republicans a 20–18 majority over the Democrats.
The 1986 primary election was held on August 5. It saw one incumbent state senator unseated, that being Republican Kirby Holmes, in favor of Doug Cruce.
The general election was on November 4. Despite incumbent Democratic governor James J. Blanchard winning re-election, and state House winning a Democratic majority, the state Senate Republicans maintained their 20–18 majority. There were no incumbent state senators unseated in the general. Following the election, Majority Leader John Engler and Minority Leader Art Miller Jr. were both re-elected.
The state Senate was sworn in on January 14, 1987.
Results The following are the official results from the 1987–1988 Michigan Manual.
Statewide Party Candi-dates Votes Seats No. % No. +/– % Republican Party 36 1,015,890 44.79% 20 52.63% Democratic Party 38 1,242,252 54.77% 18 47.36% Independent 5 9,590 0.42% 0 0.00% Write-ins 80 0.00% 0 0.00%Total 79 2,267,812 100.00% 38 100.00%
By district
See also 1986 Michigan House of Representatives election
References