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Democratic Candidates Fill Two Vacancies In State House

Marquette City Commissioner Sara Cambensy (left), former Wayne County prosecutor Tenisha Yancey (right)

Democrats won two special elections to fill vacancies in the state House.

Republicans hoped to take the seat left open by the suicide of state Representative John Kevila. President Trump won the district last year, even though a Democrat’s held it for nearly six decades.

And it was the Democrat, Marquette City Commissioner Sara Cambensy, who prevailed over Republican Rich Rossway in the special election.

In Detroit, Democrat Tenisha Yancey easily won the race to replace state Representative Brian Banks, who was forced to resign as part of a plea bargain.

The elections will restore Democrats’ 47 votes in the state House, but Republicans will still hold the majority.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The (Pontiac, MI) Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.
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