Jennifer Wortz was elected to the Michigan House. Courtesy | Facebook
Michigan Republicans gained at least a 58-52 majority
Republican Jennifer Wortz won election to the Michigan State House as the representative for the 35th District, defeating Democrat Don Hicks Tuesday night.
“The people have spoken, and we the people want leadership that preserves our constitutional freedom, protects the American way of life, and defends us from foreign and domestic attacks,” Wortz said. “I look forward to serving our community and representing the values of our district in Lansing.”
Wortz won with 77% of the vote in a district that includes Hillsdale and Branch counties and a portion of Lenawee County. She carried about 78% of the vote in Hillsdale County.
Wortz will replace current Rep. Andrew Fink, a Republican who ran for the Michigan Supreme Court. Fink lost his race to Democrat Kimberly Thomas, 61% to 39%.
“While tonight’s outcome is not what we were hoping for, the last 14 months have been the experience of a lifetime,” Fink said. “I’m proud of our efforts, especially given the relative lack of resources we had to overcome, in the name of equal justice under law — a cause to which I remain as dedicated as ever before.”
Republican Patrick O’Grady of Coldwater also lost his Michigan Supreme Court race by an almost-identical margin to Justice Kyra Bolden, a Democrat.
Republicans are projected to win the Michigan House with at least a 58-52 majority, according to the Detroit News.
“It gives us some leverage,” Wortz said. “It might just be holding the line and forcing some good luck or concessions when it comes to the budget and some of these financial things that need change.”
The GOP takeover ends total Democratic control of the government in Lansing. For the last two years, Democrats have held the governor’s office as well as both chambers of the state legislature.
Democrats still control the state Senate 20-18.
Hicks said he was disappointed in the outcome but respectful of the results.
“I was hoping to get 30% of the vote or more, and I think I got close to it, so I guess it’s a moral victory,” he said. “You throw your hat in the ring, you put all your time and resources and energy and you hope for a different outcome, even though you’re a long shot.”
Hicks said as of now he would not run for public office again.
“But maybe I’ll become more philosophical about it,” he said. “It was very eye-opening. I really learned a lot, and I’m grateful for that.”
Wortz said the results were a “big win.”
“It’s not going to be everything we want, but it’s at least stopped some of this madness that they’ve been cramming down for the last two years,” she said.
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