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Michigan, State Representative, District 96

Michigan House of Representatives District 96
Current incumbentBrian Elder Democratic Party
Population91,648
Gender51.4% Female, 48.6% Male
Race93.6% White, 2.4% Two or More Races, 1.8% Black, 1.1% Other, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% Native American
Ethnicity94.8% Non-Hispanic, 5.2% Hispanic

Michigan's ninety-sixth state house district is held by Democratic Representative Brian Elder.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 91,648 civilians reside within Michigan's ninety-sixth state house district. Michigan state representatives represent an average of 89,851 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 90,349 residents.

About the office

Members of the Michigan House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits. Michigan legislators assume office the at noon on 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."

Salaries

State legislators
SalaryPer diem
$71,685/year$10,800/year expense allowance for session and interim. Set by the compensation commission.

Term limits

The Michigan legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Michigan representatives are subject to term limits of no more than three two-year terms, or a total of six years.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2002.

Vacancies

Whenever a vacancy occurs in the house, it is up to the Governor to call for a special election. A special election must be held during the next scheduled general election. If the vacancy happened after the statewide primary, leaders of the respective party organizations within the Senate district can submit a list of nominees to be voted on by party leadership. A vote must be held no later than 21 days after the vacancy.

2016 pivot county

206 Pivot Counties Logo.png

This district is one of 710 state legislative districts that intersects with one or more Pivot Counties. These 206 Pivot Counties voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012.

The 206 Pivot Counties are located in 34 states. Iowa, with 31, had the most such counties. The partisan makeup of state legislative districts intersecting with Pivot Counties is slightly more Republican than the overall partisan makeup of state legislatures throughout the country.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline is April 21, 2020.

2018

General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 96

Incumbent Brian Elder (D) defeated Susan Kay Kowalski (R) in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 96 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Brian Elder (D)
56.5
20,175

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Susan Kay Kowalski (R)
43.5
15,527

Total votes: 35,702
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 96

Incumbent Brian Elder advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 96 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Brian Elder (D)
100
9,328

Total votes: 9,328
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 96

Susan Kay Kowalski advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 96 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes

Silhouette Placeholder Image.png

Susan Kay Kowalski (R)
100
6,307

Total votes: 6,307

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 Charles Brunner (D) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.

Brian Elder defeated David Scholl in the Michigan House of Representatives District 96 general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 96 General Election, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Brian Elder 57.98% 22,992
Republican David Scholl 42.02% 16,665
Total Votes 39,657
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

Brian Elder defeated Brian DuFresne and Donald Tilley in the Michigan House of Representatives District 96 Democratic primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 96 Democratic Primary, 2016

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Brian Elder 46.72% 5,971
Democratic Brian DuFresne 13.70% 1,751
Democratic Donald Tilley 39.58% 5,059
Total Votes 12,781

David Scholl ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 96 Republican primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 96 Republican Primary, 2016

Party Candidate
Republican Green check mark transparent.png David Scholl (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. Incumbent Charles Brunner was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Carlos Jaime was unopposed in the Republican primary. Brunner defeated Jaime in the general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 96 General Election, 2014

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Brunner Incumbent 69.5% 20,319
Republican Carlos Jaime 30.5% 8,931
Total Votes 29,250

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. Incumbent Charles Brunner (D) defeated Chad M. Dewey (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in the August 7 primary elections.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 96, General Election, 2012

Party Candidate Vote % Votes
Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngCharles Brunner Incumbent 69.5% 28,263
Republican Chad Dewey 30.5% 12,428
Total Votes 40,691

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Michigan House of Representatives District 96 raised a total of $878,540. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $39,934 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Michigan House of Representatives District 96

Year Amount Candidates Average
2016 $146,194 4 $36,549
2014 $44,650 2 $22,325
2012 $81,812 2 $40,906
2010 $156,151 3 $52,050
2008 $93,649 1 $93,649
2006 $69,088 2 $34,544
2004 $136,508 4 $34,127
2002 $81,743 2 $40,872
2000 $68,745 2 $34,373
Total $878,540 22 $39,934