An election was held on November 5, 1996, to elect all 110 members of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 89th Michigan Legislature. In the election, the Democrats won a 58–52 majority from what had previously been a Republican majority.
History In the 1994 general election, the Republicans won a 56–54 majority over the Democrats, from what had previously been an even 55–55 split between the two major parties. In June 1996, Republican Bill Bullard Jr. was elected to the state Senate in a special election. In October 1996, Democrat Robert DeMars died in office. This left the partisan make-up before the 1996 general election at a 55–53 Republican majority.
The 1996 state primary election was held on August 6. Sixteen incumbents, nine Republicans, and seven Democrats, had chosen not to run for re-election. There were 31 incumbents who faced challengers in primary elections, 18 Democrats and 13 Republicans. There were 3 incumbents unseated, 2 Democrats and 1 Republican. Democratic incumbent Lloyd F. Weeks was defeated by Paul Wojno. Democratic incumbent Nelson Saunders was defeated by Buzz Thomas. Republican incumbent Roland Jersevic was defeated by Jerome Burns.
The general election was held on November 5. The Democrats had won a 58–52 majority over the Republicans. Four seats were flipped, and they were all won by Democrats. Democrat Bob Brown unseated Republican incumbent James Ryan. Democrat Rose Bogardus unseated Republican incumbent Sandra Hill. Democrat Mark Schauer unseated incumbent Republican Eric Bush. Democrat A.T. Frank defeated Jerome Burns, winning the open seat. Following the election, Democrat Curtis Hertel was elected as speaker of the state House. Republicans picked Ken Sikkema as minority leader.
The state House was sworn in on January 8, 1997. There were 23 freshman legislators in the new state House.
Results The following are the results from the Michigan Secretary of State.
Statewide Party Candi-dates Votes Seats No. % No. +/– % Democratic Party 110 1,870,533 51.62% 58 5 52.72% Republican Party 110 1,725,510 47.62% 52 3 47.27% Libertarian Party 19 20,718 0.57% 0 0.00% Independents 5 4,104 0.11% 0 0.00% Write-ins 1,653 0.04% 0 0.00% Workers World Party 2 672 0.01% 0 0.00%Total 246 3,623,190 100.00% 110 100.00%
By district
Special elections There were special elections in two state House districts on November 5, 1996, held alongside the general election.
A special election for the Michigan Senate was held on June 4. It was triggered by the resignation of Republican State Sen. David Honigman in March, due to ill health. The special election was won by Republican Bill Bullard Jr., who was an incumbent Republican member of the state House. He resigned from the state House to accept his position as state senator, leaving a vacancy in the 38th state House district. On June 10, Governor John Engler called for the special election to be held alongside the general election.
Initially, incumbent Democrat Robert DeMars was running for re-election in the 25th district. He died on October 21, two weeks before the general election. As per state law, the Democrats had to chose a new candidate to put on the ballot. Gloria Schermesser, mayor pro tem of Lincoln Park, was nominated by the Wayne Count Democratic Party to replace DeMars on the general election ballot. On October 24, Governor Engler called for the special election, coinciding with the general election.
The two winners, Republican Nancy Cassis replacing Bullard and Democrat Gloria Schermesser replacing DeMars, were sworn in on November 12.
The following are the results from the Michigan Secretary of State.
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