BAY CITY – Today, Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet endorsed Chedrick Greene in his special election bid to represent Michigan’s 35th Senate district. McDonald Rivet served as state Senator for this mid-Michigan seat before winning her U.S. House race (MI08) and beginning her Congressional duties in January 2025.
In a statement, Congresswoman McDonald Rivet hailed Marine Veteran and Fire Captain Greene for his national and public service, and singled out their shared priorities around lower costs, better jobs, protecting Michiganders’ rights and safety.
“We can trust Chedrick to fight for us. Chedrick always puts others before self, serving our country as a decorated Marine, Michigan as our “Firefighter of the Year,” and our region by working to lower housing costs and keep us safe. He is deeply involved in our community and has raised a family here. He knows personally how important it is to bring down the high costs that make it too hard to get by,” Congresswoman McDonald Rivet said. “I am proud to endorse Chedrick Greene to serve in our state Senate, because he has the courage and know-how to fight for hard-working families of the Great Lakes Bay region, take on special interests, and bring costs down.”
“I am profoundly honored to have Kristen’s endorsement and trust to build on the tremendous work she accomplished as our state Senator making life better and safer for Michigan families,” Sergeant Major (Ret.) Greene said. “Kristen has always prioritized meaningful results over political games and everyday Michiganders over ultra-wealthy elites. No one has a better pulse on what our community needs and what it takes to win this district.”
Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s endorsement comes one week after State Representative Amos O’Neal publicly backed Chedrick Greene. O’Neal is the only Democratic state legislator currently representing a portion of the 35th state Senate district in Lansing.
In addition to securing endorsements from the most prominent mid-Michigan Democrats currently in office, Greene carries robust and diverse support from the Michigan AFL-CIO and other labor unions, VoteVets, and local leaders from every county in the district. The first-time candidate’s momentum continues to accelerate, having launched his campaign a little over two months ago.
The campaign to fill Rep. McDonald Rivet’s open seat in Michigan’s 35th Senate district – with six Democrats and four Republicans vying for their parties’ respective nominations – will draw statewide and national attention. With Michigan Democrats currently holding a 19-18 majority, the race will determine the balance of power in the state Senate. A swing seat in a swing state, this special election outcome will be an early bellwether of the political mood ahead of the November 2026 elections.
Born and raised in Saginaw, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Chedrick Greene is a decorated, 30-year Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 31-year union member, and currently serves as Fire Captain in his 27th year with the City of Saginaw Fire Department. He recently worked as District Assistant for the 35th Senate District office, representing then state Senator McDonald Rivet and serving as a liaison with constituents. In March 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Greene to serve a two-year term on the Statewide Housing Partnership under the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.
A lifelong resident with deep community roots and the leadership needed to help Lansing work better for working families, Chedrick Greene is running for State Senate District 35 to make life more affordable, safe and free in mid-Michigan.
The primary and general special election dates for the 35th District of the Michigan Senate are February 3, 2026 and May 5, 2026.