1994 Michigan elections
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November 8, 1994
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| Elections in Michigan |
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A general election was held in the U.S. state of Michigan on November 8, 1994. The state primary was held on August 3.
Federal elections
[edit]U.S. Senate election
[edit]Incumbent Democratic senator Donald Riegle did not seek re-election. Republican nominee Spencer Abraham won election, defeating Democratic nominee Bob Carr.[1]
U.S. House of Representatives election
[edit]Republicans gained one seat, resulting in a 9–7 Democratic majority in Michigan's U.S. House delegation.[2][3]
State elections
[edit]Gubernatorial election
[edit]Incumbent Republican governor John Engler won re-election, defeating Democratic nominee Howard Wolpe.[4]
State Secretary of State Election
[edit]Incumbent Democratic secretary of state Richard H. Austin lost re-election to Republican nominee Candice Miller.[5]
State Attorney General Election
[edit]Incumbent Democratic attorney general Frank J. Kelley won re-election, defeating Republican nominee John Smietanka.[5]
State Senate election
[edit]Republicans maintained a 22–16 majority over the Democrats in the state Senate.[6]
State Senate special election
[edit]There was a special election for the Michigan Senate in the 32nd district in 1994. The special primary was on March 15 and the special general was on April 26. It was triggered when incumbent Republican State Sen. Vern Ehlers was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in a special election in December 1993.[7] The special election was won by Republican Glenn Steil Sr.[8]
State House of Representative election
[edit]Republicans gained one seat in the state House, which had previously had an even 55–55 split of Democrats and Republicans, resulting in a 56–54 Republican majority.[9]
State House special election
[edit]In 1994, there were special elections in three districts of the Michigan House of Representatives: the 43rd district, the 69th district, and the 110th district.[8] The special primaries were on March 15 and the special general elections were on April 26. In January, incumbent Democrats Charlie Harrison and David Hollister of the 43rd district and 69th district respectively, resigned to become mayors. In the 110th district, incumbent Democrat Stephen Shepich resigned in January amidst scandal.[10] The three special elections were all won by Democrats, Hubert Price Jr. (43rd district), Lynne Martinez (69th district), and Paul Tesanovich (110th district).[8]
State Supreme Court election
[edit]There were two full terms on the Michigan Supreme Court up for election in 1994. Incumbent Democratic justice Conrad L. Mallett Jr. sought re-election, while incumbent Republican justice Robert P. Griffin retired. Mallett won re-election, and Republican Elizabeth Weaver won the open seat. The election maintained the previous partisan makeup of the court, 3 Republicans, 3 Democrats, and 1 independent.[11]
State Board of Education election
[edit]Incumbent Democrat Gumecindo Salas sought re-election, while incumbent Democrat Annetta Miller decided not to run for re-election. Salas was defeated, and two Republicans, Clark Durant and Sharon Wise, won election.[12] This resulted in a 6–2 Republican majority on the board.[13]
University of Michigan Regents election
[edit]Incumbent Democrats Paul W. Brown and James L. Waters sought re-election. They were defeated by Republicans Andrea Fischer and Dan Horning. This resulted in an even 4–4 split of Democrats and Republicans on the board.[14]
Michigan State University Trustee election
[edit]Incumbent Democrat Joel Ferguson sought re-election, while incumbent Democrat Barbara Sawyer-Koch decided not to.[15] Ferguson was defeated, and the election was won by Republican Donald Nugent and Democrat Colleen McNamara.[16]
Wayne State University Governor election
[edit]Incumbent Democrat Leon Atchison sought re-election, while incumbent Democrat Robert Naftaly decided not to.[17] The election was won by Atchison and Diane Dunaskiss.[18]
State ballot proposals
[edit]There was one state ballot proposal voted up on March 15, 1994. Proposal A, which sought to reform school finance, raise sales tax, and limit property tax increases was passed into law.[19]
There were four state ballot proposals voted up on November 8, 1994. Proposal A, which sought to draft a new state constitution, was rejected. Proposal B, which banned criminal defendants which plead guilty or no contest from appealing, was passed. Proposal C, which sought to lower auto insurance rates, was rejected. Proposal P, which sought to increase state park funding, was passed.[20]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Abraham defeats Carr, joins Senate majority". Grand Haven Tribune. November 9, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved September 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "GOP gains one seat in state's U.S. House delegation". Grand Haven Tribune. November 9, 1994. p. 7. Retrieved September 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Did he help Democrats win?". The Herald-Palladium. November 10, 1994. p. 22. Retrieved September 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Engler's victory wins Legislature for GOP". The Grand Rapids Press. November 9, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved September 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "After 24 years, Richard Austin loses". The Ann Arbor News. November 9, 1994. p. 7. Retrieved September 20, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Legislative highlights". The Herald-Palladium. November 13, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved September 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Six in primary race for state Senate seat". The Grand Rapids Press. January 26, 1994. p. 26. Retrieved October 22, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 "GOP fails to capture House". Muskegon Chronicle. April 27, 1994. p. 3. Retrieved September 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "GOP takes crucial seat to win control of state House". Detroit Free Press. November 10, 1994. p. 2. Retrieved September 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Primary leaves State House candidates poised for fight". The Herald-Palladium. March 16, 1994. p. 14. Retrieved September 28, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Mallett's re-election keeps court's balance". The Flint Journal. November 9, 1994. p. 4. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Republicans lead in Board of Education races". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 9, 1994. p. 7. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Republicans vie to control state Board of Education". Detroit Free Press. November 4, 1994. p. 18. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Republican challengers defeat pair of longtime U-M regents". The Ann Arbor News. November 9, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "MSU trustee announces she won't be on the ballot". Detroit Free Press. September 5, 1994. p. 10. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "U-M incumbent loses seat as voters bring in Republicans". Muskegon Chronicle. November 9, 1994. p. 13. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Blues official won't seek new term on WSU board". Detroit Free Press. September 8, 1994. p. 17. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Newcomers lead in university races". Battle Creek Enquirer. November 9, 1994. p. 8. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Work has just begun". Grand Haven Tribune. March 16, 1994. p. 1. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Voters boot Proposal C, Proposal A". Lansing State Journal. November 9, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved September 29, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.