Candidates flocking to state House races

May 15, 2008 04:00 am

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LANSING (AP) -- Term limits will trigger major turnover in the state House in the November election.

Forty-four of the chamber's 110 seats will be open because the incumbent lawmakers aren't allowed to run again. One more seat will be open because an incumbent eligible for re-election isn't running. Dozens of newcomers registered to run for the open seats before Tuesday afternoon's filing deadline, setting the stage for crowded August primaries in some districts.

Michigan law limits state House members to three terms of two years each.

Democrats hold a 58-52 edge over Republicans in the House and could be helped by the upcoming turnover because more seats now held by Republicans will be vacated.

The GOP has 28 term-limited members and another incumbent lawmaker, Rep. David Law, isn't seeking a final term. He is running for Oakland County prosecutor instead.

Democrats have 16 term-limited members. All eligible Democrats are running for re-election, including House Speaker Andy Dillon of Redford Township.

Dillon faces a possible recall election in August, sparked by an anti-tax group upset about his role in last year's tax increases in Michigan. Dillon could face a primary election with opposition from up to three other Democrats, according to an unofficial listing of candidates posted on a state Web site. Two Republicans also have filed to run.

Several other incumbents will face primary challenges. But the most filings came for seats that are being vacated because of term limits.

Seventeen Democrats filed to run in primary for a seat being vacated by Rep. Virgil Smith, a Detroit Democrat. Ten Democrats are vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Marsha Cheeks of Detroit. Nine Democrats and one Republican will compete to replace outgoing Rep. Steve Tobocman, D-Detroit.

Six Republicans and five Democrats are in the hunt for the seat being vacated by Rep. Ed Gaffney, a Republican from Grosse Pointe Farms.

Eight Democrats and three Republicans filed for a seat being vacated by Rep. Jack Brandenburg, a Republican from Macomb County's Harrison Township.

Seven Republicans and three Democrats have filed for a seat being vacated by Rep. John Stahl, a Republican from North Branch.