Michigan Senate District 35 will be on a political roller coaster in 2026, with back-to-back elections. Get to know the candidates who will be the next representative! Click a candidate below to learn about their background, vision, and policies. New interviews added as we get them!
On May 5, 2026, voters in Michigan’s 35th State Senate District will elect a senator to fill the current vacancy, with the winner serving through the end of the term on December 31, 2026. Then, on November 4, 2026, voters in District 35 will head to the polls again—this time to elect a senator for the full four-year term beginning in January 2027.
The Michigan Senate is made up of 38 members, each representing approximately 247,000 to 273,000 residents. State senators serve four-year terms and are elected in the same cycle as the Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General.
This article summarizes the current state of the election for District 35 and what’s publicly known so far about the candidates, based on official filings, news reports, and candidate communications. B>ookmark this page for reference throughout the campaign and follow the candidates on social media.
Last updated January 18, 2026. Michigan Women created this nonpartisan candidate overview to help voters quickly find reliable information about everyone running for Michigan Senate District 35. Profiles are based on publicly available reporting, candidate communications, and publicly hosted events Michigan Women attended, along with Michigan Women interviews when available. We aim for accuracy and timely updates; readers should also review official candidate and election sources directly.
Michigan Senate District 35 will be on a political roller coaster in 2026, with back-to-back elections.
Election 2: General Election
To remain in office beyond December 31, 2026, the specially elected Senator must file for the 2026 general election, win the primary election in August, and then the general election in November. Anyone hoping to serve in Michigan's 35th Senate District is up for a grueling two-election cycle, just months apart.
Even if a candidate loses the special election, they can immediately run again in the regular 2026 cycle—or choose not to. And the person who wins the special election may not be the same person who wins the general election.
Bills typically require a majority vote to pass the Michigan Senate. With 38 seats, 20 votes are needed to reach a full majority when all seats are filled. With Kristen McDonald in office, the Democrats had exactly 20 votes. So even if all Republicans voted no, the Democrats could still pass their legislation.
When Senator McDonald Rivet left office, Democrats held 20 Senate seats. After her resignation, the chamber shifted to 19 Democrats and 18 Republicans, leaving one seat vacant until the special election. Here’s how that affects voting power:
All Michigan State Senate seats are up for reelection in the 2026 general election. That vote will determine the composition of the Senate for the 2027–2031 term and set the balance of power among Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
2026-01-27 What happens when campaign cash meets grassroots support in this Michigan Senate GOP primary (Saginaw News)
2025-12-02 League of Women Voters of Saginaw County and the NAACP Saginaw Branch hosted a candidate forum on December 2nd, 2025. Check out the recap article, District 35 Candidate Forum Recap (2025-12-02)
(View the video timestamps to see the talking points.)
Pamela Pugh is a public health professional and education leader who currently serves as President of the Michigan State Board of Education, a statewide elected position. Her career has focused on public health, environmental justice, and education policy, including work related to the Flint water crisis and statewide education governance.
Across campaign materials, interviews, and public remarks, Pugh emphasizes:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Pugh underscored education equity, civil rights, economic dignity, and her experience navigating statewide governance and crisis response.
1. IRS Tax Liens (Personal Financial History)
News outlets reported that Pamela Pugh previously faced IRS tax liens totaling approximately $86,000.
Key points:
Why it matters politically:
2. Use of Campaign or PAC Funds
Separate reporting (notably from MLive and The Detroit News) examined questions related to campaign or PAC fund usage, including:
Important clarification:
This type of scrutiny is common in campaign finance reporting, particularly for candidates with long-standing involvement in politics, nonprofits, or PACs.
3. Complaints and Allegations Involving Third Parties
One thread of reporting involved a campaign finance complaint filed against another candidate (Chedrick Greene), raising questions about:
This is the area where Pugh has been most explicit in responding.
4. What Pamela Pugh Has Said Publicly
On the IRS tax liens
In interviews and quoted reporting, Pugh has stated that:
On campaign finance complaints or coordination
Pugh has explicitly denied:
Reporting from the Huron Daily Tribune states that her campaign said it did not know in advance about the filing and that Pugh rejected claims of behind-the-scenes coordination.
5. What Has Not Been Reported
Equally important for context:
Based on available reporting, this remains a political and ethical scrutiny issue, not a resolved legal case.
(View the video timestamps to see the talking points.)
Chedrick Greene is a Saginaw Fire Department captain and U.S. Marine veteran. His background includes military service and emergency response work in the Great Lakes Bay Region. He is running as a Democrat for Michigan Senate District 35.
Across campaign materials, interviews, and public remarks, Greene emphasizes:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Greene focused on public education funding, economic fairness, public safety, and the importance of working-class leadership rooted in service and community experience.
1. Campaign finance complaint and state review
News coverage reports that a campaign finance complaint was filed regarding Greene’s campaign activity, and the Michigan Department of State confirmed it opened an investigation based on the complaint. Filing a complaint is not a finding of wrongdoing.
2. Allegations related to campaign conduct
Some reporting has examined allegations related to campaign activity involving a fire station setting and Greene appearing in uniform. Coverage describes these points as allegations and documents Greene’s campaign response.
3. Role of third-party organizations
Coverage indicates that at least one complaint was filed by an outside political organization, and subsequent reporting has focused on who filed it and the political context surrounding the filing. Reporting does not establish conclusions about the merits of the complaint itself.
4. What Chedrick Greene has said publicly
In quoted reporting, Greene’s campaign says it consulted city officials, followed city policy, and removed identifying markings. Coverage also reports Greene’s position that the complaint is politically motivated and that his campaign is cooperating with any review process.
5. What has not been reported
Equally important for context:
Based on the reporting cited below, this remains an unresolved campaign finance compliance matter, not a concluded legal case.
Brandell Adams is the chair of the Saginaw County Democratic Party and a former Bridgeport Township trustee. His background includes local party leadership, municipal governance, and grassroots political organizing in Saginaw County and the Great Lakes Bay Region.
Adams entered the race following the prolonged vacancy of Michigan Senate District 35 and has emphasized the importance of restoring consistent representation for the district.
Across campaign announcements, interviews, and public remarks, Adams emphasizes:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Adams emphasized protecting good-paying jobs, lowering the cost of living, and ensuring working-class communities have consistent, effective representation in Lansing.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Brandell Adams.
(View the video timestamps to see the talking points.)
Serenity Hope Salak is a substitute teacher at Jessi Loomis Elementary School and a resident of Saginaw Township. She is running for Michigan Senate District 35 and has described her candidacy as rooted in education, community involvement, and civic reform.
Based on available interviews and campaign statements, Salak has emphasized:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Salak highlighted education access, economic supports for families, and policies aimed at reducing poverty and expanding opportunity for working households.
Available media coverage to date has not identified campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Serenity Hope Salak.
Martin Blank, M.D., is a trauma surgeon, police officer, and retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel with decades of experience in medicine, public safety, and military service. He practices medicine at Covenant Healthcare and has served as a law enforcement officer with the Saginaw Police Department. His background includes multiple prior runs for public office and long-standing involvement in public service roles across health, safety, and emergency response.
In 2025, Blank announced his candidacy for Michigan Senate District 35 as a Democrat after previously running for office as a Republican. Multiple outlets reported on his decision to switch parties, which he attributed to political realignment and disagreements with the modern Republican Party.
Across interviews, public forums, and campaign statements, Blank has emphasized:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Blank highlighted the need for equitable education funding, infrastructure investment, and policies that address affordability and long-term economic resilience for Mid-Michigan communities.
Media coverage has focused on Blank’s decision to switch party affiliation ahead of the special election. Reporting characterizes this as a political realignment rather than a legal, ethics, or campaign finance issue. Blank has stated that his views now align more closely with Democratic priorities on democracy, civil rights, healthcare, and economic policy.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Martin Blank.
William Morrone, DO, is a physician and addiction medicine specialist who also serves as a Chief Medical Examiner in Mid-Michigan. Public reporting describes him as a medical examiner across multiple counties and as a co-owner/principal of Recovery Pathways, a mental health and addiction treatment organization.
Across interviews and candidate questionnaires, Morrone has emphasized:
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Morrone emphasized healthcare access, mental health services, public safety, and bipartisan problem-solving grounded in medical, military, and law enforcement experience.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving William Morrone.
(View the video timestamps to see the talking points.)
Andrew Carlos Wendt is a retired teacher and former local elected official who previously served on the Saginaw City Council. He is running as a Republican for Michigan Senate District 35. Public reporting describes Wendt as emphasizing local governance experience, education, and civic participation.
Based on available interviews, panel appearances, and campaign materials, Wendt has emphasized:
His policy positions are most frequently documented through panel discussions and candidate forums rather than long-form policy platforms.
During the December 2, 2025, Michigan Senate District 35 Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Saginaw County and the NAACP Saginaw Branch at Delta College, Wendt did not participate.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Andrew Carlos Wendt.
Christian Velasquez is a Midland-based business professional and Republican candidate for Michigan Senate District 35. Public reporting and candidate materials describe him as having experience in business, strategy, and political consulting. He has been active in regional civic and political organizations as a precinct delegate and Midland County Republican Party Executive Committee Member. He sought elected office for the Michigan Senate District 35 seat in 2022, but did not advance to the general election.
Velasquez’s candidacy emphasizes a private-sector perspective and a stated focus on reducing the role of state government in economic and social policy.
Based on available interviews, debates, and candidate questionnaires, Velasquez has emphasized:
His positions are most frequently documented through candidate debates, policy questionnaires, and public forums rather than detailed written policy platforms.
Velasquez did not participate in the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Saginaw County and the NAACP Saginaw Branch at Delta College.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related enforcement actions involving Christian Velasquez.
Jason Tunney is a Republican candidate for Michigan Senate District 35. Public reporting describes him as a Mid-Michigan resident with a background in business and conservative political activism. Available coverage indicates that Tunney has not previously held elected office but has been involved in grassroots political efforts and issue-based advocacy.
Media coverage of Tunney is limited and largely consists of multi-candidate election roundups and brief candidate listings rather than in-depth profile reporting.
Based on campaign materials and public statements referenced in available reporting, Tunney’s candidacy emphasizes:
Tunney’s messaging frames his campaign as an alternative to career politicians and focuses on restoring what he describes as constitutional and taxpayer-centered governance.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Jason Tunney.
(View the video timestamps to see the talking points.)
Chadwick Twillman is a Republican candidate for Michigan Senate District 35. Public reporting and candidate materials describe him as a Bay City businessman and former truck driver who emphasizes his role as a political outsider and community advocate. Twillman identifies as a Christian patriot and family man and has lived in Mid-Michigan with his wife and five children.
Twillman has not previously held elected office. He promotes his lived experience, business leadership, and engagement in local activism as qualifications for legislative service. Reporting notes that he attended the January 6, 2021 protest in Washington, D.C., framing his presence as related to independent journalism and support for former President Donald Trump while asserting he did not participate in violence
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum, Twillman emphasized government accountability, voting access, public safety, and his perspective as an outsider candidate focused on institutional reform.
Based on candidate questionnaires, campaign materials, and interviews, Twillman emphasizes:
Twillman has proposed a slate of single-issue bills focused on infrastructure, youth opportunity, justice reform, agricultural support, homelessness solutions, and taxpayer rights, all designed to be funded through surplus state revenues and federal grants rather than new taxes.
During the December 2, 2025 District 35 Candidate Forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Saginaw County and the NAACP Saginaw Branch, Twillman emphasized government accountability, public safety, voting access, and his outsider perspective focused on reform, including suggesting blockchain-based mobile voting as a means to facilitate participation. He also noted support for traditional values and individual liberties.
A review of available media coverage did not identify campaign finance complaints, investigations, or ethics-related scrutiny involving Chadwick Twillman.
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Content Disclaimer: Our team researches information from official websites, news outlets, and other public resources to make it easier for Michigan residents to stay informed. We strive to provide accurate, balanced, and up-to-date information, but we may occasionally miss updates or changes. Michigan Women is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party. This content is intended solely for civic education and public awareness.
Policy summaries reflect a combination of candidate interviews, public statements, and participation in publicly hosted forums. Not all candidates participated in every forum listed.