In an effort to regain control of the Michigan House and the state government, Democratic lawmakers are setting their sights on two special elections happening on Tuesday. District 13 features a race between Democrat Mai Xiong and Republican Ronald Singer, while District 25 sees Democrat Peter Herzberg facing off against Republican Josh Powell. Both districts, located just outside Detroit, are traditionally Democratic strongholds, with the previous Democratic incumbents winning by significant margins in 2022.

The Michigan House has been deadlocked at 54-54 between Democrats and Republicans since November, when two Democratic representatives vacated their seats after winning mayoral races in their hometowns. Democrats previously held a majority in both chambers along with control of the governor's office.

"These special elections will determine who controls the House here in Michigan and set the tone for November when we will decide whether Democrats hold on to the state House," said Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes.

In the 2022 midterms, Democrats flipped both chambers while maintaining control of the governor's office, achieving a trifecta for the first time in 40 years. They wasted no time in implementing their agenda, including overhauling the state's gun laws and reversing Republican measures.

Since the House deadlock, Republicans have attempted to pass bipartisan legislation such as a government transparency package, but progress has been minimal. Democrats have consistently rejected a joint power-sharing agreement proposed by Republican House Leader Matt Hall.

If both Democratic candidates emerge victorious in Tuesday's special elections, the party will regain control through the end of the year. However, with each seat in the House up for reelection in November, both seats would need to be won by either party to secure a majority.

Mai Xiong, a Macomb County commissioner endorsed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, is vying for District 13. Her opponent, Ronald Singer, previously ran for the seat in 2022 but lost by a wide margin to former state Rep. Lori Stone. In District 25, Peter Herzberg, a Westland City Council member, will face off against veteran Josh Powell, who has campaigned on a platform of limited government, reduced regulation, and lower taxes. Former Rep. Kevin Coleman, a Democrat, won the district in 2022 by a significant margin.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Pete Hoekstra remains confident in the Republicans' efforts, stating, "Win or lose, I'm more convinced than ever that Republicans are motivated and the Democrats are not."

Following the special elections, lawmakers will shift their attention to the state budget, with a self-imposed July 1 deadline. Governor Whitmer has proposed an $81 billion budget that includes provisions for free community college for high school graduates and preschool for 4-year-olds. Democrats have also discussed expanding hate crime laws and enacting a comprehensive school safety package in response to the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School.

Time will be of the essence for lawmakers if the deadlock is broken on Tuesday, as they are set to begin campaigning for reelection in their districts soon after taking a summer break at the end of June.