Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Michigan House of Representatives District 81 is represented by Rachel Hood (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Michigan state representatives represented an average of 91,677 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 90,106 residents.
About the office
Members of the Michigan House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits.[1] Michigan legislators assume office at noon on the first day of January.
Qualifications
Section 7 of Article 4 of the Michigan Constitution states, "Each senator and representative must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, and an elector of the district he represents. The removal of his domicile from the district shall be deemed a vacation of the office. No person who has been convicted of subversion or who has within the preceding 20 years been convicted of a felony involving a breach of public trust shall be eligible for either house of the legislature."[2]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $71,685/year | No per diem is paid. Legislators receive an expense allowance of $10,800/year for session and interim. |
Term limits
- See also: State legislatures with term limits
The Michigan legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The legislature has been term-limited since Michigan voters approved the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2002.
In 2022, Michigan voters modified the term limits for Michigan state legislative members. Voters passed Michigan Proposal 1 in November 2022 which changed the term limits for state legislators from three two-year terms in the state House and two four-year terms in the state Senate to 12 combined years in the Legislature.
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Michigan State Legislature, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy or direct that the vacancy be filled at the next general election.[4][5]
If the vacancy happens after the statewide primary election, the party organizations in the district select the party's nominee. The nominee must be voted on no later than 21 days after the vacancy occurred and at least 10 days before the general election.[6]
See sources: Michigan Const. Art. 5, § 13
District map
Redistricting
2020-2024
On July 26, 2024, a three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved state Senate district boundaries submitted by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) on June 27, 2024, and authorized Michigan's secretary of state to implement the plan for the 2026 elections:[7]
| “ | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they were drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised Senate map, which Plaintiffs agree 'eliminates the predominate use of race that characterized' the previous plan. ... We have reviewed the record before us and agree that the new Senate map complies with this court’s December 21, 2023, opinion and order. ... Federal law provides us no basis to reject the Commission’s remedial Senate plan. The Secretary of State may proceed to implement the Commission’s remedial Senate plan for the next election cycle.[8] | ” |
The MICRC voted on June 26 to approve the state Senate map called Crane A1.[9]
On March 27, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan approved new state House district boundaries drawn by the MICRC for use in the 2024 elections. According to the court order:[10]
| “ | On December 21, 2023, we unanimously held that the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission violated the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution when it drew the boundaries of thirteen state-legislative districts—seven House districts, and six Senate—predominantly on the basis of race. We therefore enjoined the Michigan Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson, from holding further elections in those districts as they are currently drawn. ... The Commission has now submitted a revised House plan, to which the plaintiffs have submitted several objections. We have reviewed the record before us and now overrule those objections.[8] | ” |
The MICRC voted 10-3 on February 28, 2024, to adopt the new state House map known as “Motown Sound FC E1."
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan struck down the state House and Senate maps on December 21, 2023.[11]
State Senate map
State House map
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps (Senate)
After the court approved the Crane A1 map, independent MICRC commissioner Anthony Eid said:[12]
| “ | There’s certainly been a lot of ups and downs throughout this process. ... There have been things that as a commission we’ve gotten right and things we’ve gotten wrong. We’re currently in the middle of putting together a report that will go over a few of those things in great detail. But I think right now we’re just happy and relieved that we made it this far.[8] | ” |
Following the MICRC's selection of the new map, Republican commissioner Cynthia Orton said:[13]
| “ | I felt strongly that Crane A1 did answer the requirements that we needed to follow and what the court had ordered. ... I’m glad everyone was able to vote their conscience, vote what they felt was best.[8] | ” |
Democratic MICRC vice chair Brittni Kellom said:[13]
| “ | There were deep and varying opinions and perspectives as to what members of the public were expressing when they were talking about their choices and things that they were noticing about; different neighborhoods, different maps, the way that the lines were drawn. ... It was just very simple to me, not just in terms of communities of interest, which is very highly ranked, but also with math metrics and the data that we received and Crane consistently performed at the bottom half.[8] | ” |
Jaime Lyons-Eddy, executive director of Voters Not Politicians—which sponsored the ballot initiative to create the MICRC—said:[13]
| “ | The Crane A1 map, which was not among the maps with the best partisan fairness measures, also represents a missed opportunity to improve upon the partisan fairness of the 2022 Linden map. ... However, it is considerably less biased than the worst-performing maps under consideration. Importantly, supporters of independent redistricting can still take heart that these maps are the product of an independent, transparent process, and were not drawn in secret by and for politicians.[8] | ” |
Reactions to 2024 state legislative maps (House)
The Executive Director of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission, Edward Woods III, said the following in a news conference:[14]
| “ | Democracy won ... Despite doubts and concerns raised, the commission demonstrated once again that it could focus on its purpose to draw fair maps with citizen input. ... We appreciate the public input that overwhelmingly favored the Motown Sound FC E1 in making our job easier. We now have a clear road map to follow in completing the remedial State Senate plan.[8] | ” |
In an article for Michigan Advance, author Ken Coleman described the partisan landscape in the Michigan state legislature leading up the 2024 election:[14]
| “ | All 110 state House districts are up for reelection this year with party control on the line. Democrats won a narrow 56-54 victory in 2022, but the chamber is currently split 54-54 with two Democratic members resigning in November. The special general election is set for April 16 and Democrats are favored in the two races. The MICRC will now redraw six state Senate districts. It has approved a tentative timeline to craft maps and seek public input that will start April 12 and conclude July 30. Most Senate seats will not be on the ballot until 2026.[8] |
” |
Jamie Lyons-Eddy said:[14]
| “ | We at Voters Not Politicians have always had faith in the constitutional amendment we designed and most importantly, in the voters who support independent redistricting. ... With this decision, the court has reaffirmed that faith and upheld the will of millions of Michigan voters who demanded an independent, transparent, citizen-led redistricting process when they voted for Proposal 2 in 2018.[8] | ” |
Former state House member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo was one of the plaintiffs in the Donald Agee, Jr. v. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson case that led to the new House map. In a statement to the Michigan Advance, she reacted to the new map:[14]
| “ | While our expert Sean Trende demonstrated that the Motown Sound Map does not provide the greatest number of Black majority seats with the highest Black voting age population, we embrace the words of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that ‘the Arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice,’ and as such we are grateful that the Agee v. Benson lawsuit yielded a greater opportunity for Detroit voters to elect a candidate of their choice in seven house districts. Our focus now turns towards educating the community on the House Map changes, and drawing a new Senate map.[8] | ” |
District map after 2020 redistricting
Michigan House of Representatives District 81
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Michigan House of Representatives District 81
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Stephen Wooden defeated Jordan Youngquist in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Stephen Wooden (D)  | 57.1 | 29,525 |
 | Jordan Youngquist (R) | 42.9 | 22,162 | |
| Total votes: 51,687 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Stephen Wooden advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stephen Wooden | 100.0 | 10,476 |
| Total votes: 10,476 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Rachel Hood (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Jordan Youngquist advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 6, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jordan Youngquist | 100.0 | 7,899 |
| Total votes: 7,899 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Incumbent Rachel Hood defeated Lynn Afendoulis in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rachel Hood (D) | 55.7 | 26,169 |
 | Lynn Afendoulis (R) | 44.3 | 20,835 | |
| Total votes: 47,004 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Incumbent Rachel Hood advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rachel Hood | 100.0 | 9,074 |
| Total votes: 9,074 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Emily Lombard (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Lynn Afendoulis advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lynn Afendoulis | 100.0 | 11,574 |
| Total votes: 11,574 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Incumbent Gary Eisen defeated Debbie Bourgois in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Gary Eisen (R) | 68.5 | 33,241 |
 | Debbie Bourgois (D) | 31.5 | 15,290 | |
| Total votes: 48,531 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Debbie Bourgois advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Debbie Bourgois | 100.0 | 6,056 |
| Total votes: 6,056 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Incumbent Gary Eisen defeated John Mahaney in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Eisen | 72.3 | 10,276 |
| John Mahaney | 27.7 | 3,939 | |
| Total votes: 14,215 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2018
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Gary Eisen defeated Joshua Rivard in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Eisen (R) | 63.5 | 22,811 |
| Joshua Rivard (D) | 36.5 | 13,130 | |
| Total votes: 35,941 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
Joshua Rivard advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joshua Rivard | 100.0 | 5,991 |
| Total votes: 5,991 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gary Eisen | 24.3 | 2,659 |
| Kenneth Nicholl | 24.1 | 2,637 | |
| Eric Stocker | 22.9 | 2,499 | |
| Dan Turke | 9.1 | 999 | |
| Michael Pratt | 7.8 | 853 | |
| Joel Williams | 6.8 | 745 | |
| John Mahaney | 3.1 | 335 | |
| Dan Tollis | 1.8 | 201 | |
| Total votes: 10,928 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.
Incumbent Dan Lauwers defeated Stewart Sternberg in the Michigan House of Representatives District 81 general election.[15]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 81 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Dan Lauwers Incumbent |
68.96% | 28,068 | |
| Democratic | Stewart Sternberg | 31.04% | 12,633 | |
| Total Votes | 40,701 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State | ||||
Stewart Sternberg ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 81 Democratic primary.[16][17]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 81 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Stewart Sternberg (unopposed) | |
Incumbent Dan Lauwers ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 81 Republican primary.[16][17]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 81 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Dan Lauwers Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Bernardo Licata was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Dan Lauwers was unopposed in the Republican primary. Lauwers defeated Licata in the general election.[18][19][20][21]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Lauwers Incumbent |
65.6% | 18,714 | |
| Democratic | Bernardo Licata | 34.4% | 9,808 | |
| Total Votes | 28,522 | |||
2012
Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was May 15, 2012. The deadline for independent candidates was July 19, 2012. The deadline for write-in candidates was July 27, 2012.[22] Dan Lauwers (R) defeated Patrick Phelan (D) in the general election. Lauwers defeated four others in the Republican primary. Phelan defeated Stewart Steinberg and Jason Davis in the Democratic primary.[23][24]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Lauwers |
53.8% | 20,929 | |
| Democratic | Patrick Phelan | 46.2% | 17,945 | |
| Total Votes | 38,874 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Patrick Phelan |
56.3% | 1,831 |
| Stewart Sternberg | 23.8% | 774 |
| Jason Davis | 19.9% | 648 |
| Total Votes | 3,253 | |
Campaign contributions
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From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Michigan House of Representatives District 81 raised a total of $1,943,782.
Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $48,595 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Michigan House of Representatives District 81 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $89,055 | 2 | $44,528 |
| 2022 | $919,094 | 2 | $459,547 |
| 2020 | $47,970 | 2 | $23,985 |
| 2018 | $65,045 | 9 | $7,227 |
| 2016 | $97,830 | 2 | $48,915 |
| 2014 | $71,878 | 2 | $35,939 |
| 2012 | $150,524 | 8 | $18,816 |
| 2010 | $75,752 | 3 | $25,251 |
| 2008 | $47,201 | 2 | $23,601 |
| 2006 | $62,126 | 2 | $31,063 |
| 2004 | $159,532 | 3 | $53,177 |
| 2002 | $46,417 | 2 | $23,209 |
| 2000 | $111,358 | 1 | $111,358 |
| Total | $1,943,782 | 40 | $48,595 |
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ michiganinbrief.org, "Term limits," accessed December 17, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Constitution, "Article IV, Section 7," accessed February 10, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.178, Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Constitution of Michigan of 1963, Article 5, Section 13," accessed February 12, 2021
- ↑ Michigan Legislature, "Statute 168.634 (1)-(2), Michigan Compiled Laws," accessed May 22, 2014
- ↑ CourtListener, "Opinion and order," July 26, 2024
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 8.9 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Michigan Public, "Redistricting commission chooses final state Senate plan for court approval," June 26, 2024
- ↑ PacerMonitor, "Opinion and order," March 27, 2024
- ↑ United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division, "Case No. 1:22-cv-272 Donald Agee, Jr. v. Jocelyn Benson," December 21, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Advance, "Federal court grants final approval to new Michigan Senate districts ," July 26, 2024
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Michigan Advance, "Redistricting commission selects a proposed Senate map on 6th round of voting," June 27, 2024
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Michigan Advance, "Court approves new Michigan House district map," March 28, 2024
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 official general election results," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Candidate Listing," accessed April 22, 2016
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Results," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed May 27, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2012 Michigan Election Dates.” Retrieved October 29, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, 2012 primary election results. Retrieved October 29, 2013
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, 2010 general election results. Retrieved October 29, 2013
