With the 2026 election cycle underway and candidates positioning themselves for key legislative roles, the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Public Policy and Business Advocacy team presents an overview of candidates running for the open Michigan Senate seats in Southeast Michigan. These open seats, reshaped by redistricting and term limits, will determine the direction of the state’s policymaking over the next four years.

This update will be published as a two‑part series due to the number of open seats in the Detroit Region this cycle. 

The Chamber PAC has not yet issued endorsements in these races and will evaluate all candidates closer to election day. 

Left to right: Angela Whitfield-Calloway, Mary Waters, Coleman A. Young II, James Tate, Mayor Mary Sheffield; Photo credit: City of Detroit

Earlier this week, Mayor Mary Sheffield, Detroit’s 76th mayor and the first woman to hold the office, delivered her first State of the City speech at Mumford High School.

The address offered an encouraging vision of neighborhood investment, red tape reduction, and talent attraction. Having endorsed Sheffield in November, the Chamber looks forward to collaborating with the Sheffield  administration on these initiatives and supporting the Mayor’s work to attract more retail to the city.

Small businesses can get connected with opportunities, relationships, and guidance to grow with confidence on April 14 during the Chamber’s Small Business and Advocacy Resource Fair.

The program will also feature a moderated discussion led by Brian J. Shoaf, Vice President of Public Policy and Business Advocacy at the Chamber, with Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan’s Wafa Dinaro, U.S. Small Business Administration’s Laketa Henderson, and Huntington National Bank’s Ishita Pandya. They will offer perspectives and resources for navigating today’s business environment, as well as insights into how small businesses can build influence while positioning themselves for long-term growth.

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The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in May that could potentially determine the fate of nine bills leftover from the 2023-24 term. Read more.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an executive order declaring a state of energy emergency to allow the sale of higher vapor pressure gasoline, which is typically 10 to 20 cents cheaper, to ease the pressure of climbing gas prices. Read more.

The University of Michigan’s Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy found a slight increase in the percentage of local governments experiencing increased fiscal stress. Read more.

The Public Service Commission approved initial battery storage facilities required under the contract between DTE Energy Co. and Green Chile Ventures to develop a data center in Saline Township. Read more.

The leader of the Michigan College Access Network asked lawmakers to consider a task force on the Tuition Incentive Program, which provides financial aid for students on Medicaid, in lieu of adopting changes recommended in Whitmer’s budget. Read more.

Beyond the Bill is a rotating segment that features a Republican or Democrat Michigan Legislator for Chamber members to get to know on a more personal level and highlight their legislative priorities for Michiganders.

This week, the Chamber is spotlighting Michigan State Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Mt. Pleasant), who shared his policy priorities, the state of Michigan’s economy, and a look into Senate District 34.