Ret. Sgt. Maj. Greene says voters have a clear choice in May— “A leader grounded in working class experiences… or an out of touch elitist who is too MAGA to denounce this administration’s violent violation of our Constitutional rights”
BAY CITY, MI – The AP has called the Democratic Primary for State Senate in Michigan’s 35th District for Chedrick Greene. As of 10:39 pm, Greene had earned 57.55% of the vote in the 6-way race.
Gathered with family, friends, and supporters at the IBEW Local 692 Hall in Bay City, Retired Sergeant Major and Fire Captain Greene thanked his team, volunteers, and coalition members for their support. In a statement, he also drew a stark contrast with his GOP counterparts:
“In this incredibly important time, for this incredibly important race, I deeply respect the trust voters have placed in me. I am excited to be the Democratic nominee and determined to deliver the victory that will keep our Party in majority control of the Michigan Senate,” said Greene.
“As we set our sights toward the General Election, voters have a clear choice— a leader grounded in working class experiences, who has put his life on the line for three decades defending our freedoms and protecting Michiganders; or an out-of-touch Republican rubber stamp who is too MAGA to denounce this administration’s violent violation of our Constitutional rights. Whether my Republican opponent is Christian Velasquez or Jason Tunney, both are ultra-wealthy, elite extremists who can ride out this cost crisis. But, the people I talk to everyday in Bay, Midland, and Saginaw are suffering under Republicans’ tariff chaos and health care cuts.”
Bay City Mayor Christopher Girard and UA Local 85 Business Manager Justin Pomerville joined Greene at the rally and issued statements upon his victory:
“Great Lakes Bay residents have spoken, and they want Chedrick Greene to be their fighter in Lansing,” said Mayor Christopher Girard (D-Bay City). “People are scared with what’s happening in our country and frustrated with increasing wealth gaps. Mid-Michigan voters want leaders who live in the real world, and they are going to find Chedrick more relatable and credible than his opponent. They are going to find a patriot with integrity, soul, and a laser-focus on affordability, safety, and our freedoms.”
“As a 31-year dues-paying union member, Chedrick knows the challenges workers face. As a veteran who reached a rank held by fewer than one percent of Marines, Chedrick has led men and women from all backgrounds,” said Justin Pomerville, Business Manager, UA Local 85 Plumbers & Pipefitters. “Michigan’s labor unions are going to do all we can to help Chedrick win because we know he’ll always put working people and good-paying union jobs first.”
Greene expressed gratitude for his endorsers and the coalition backing his campaign to date: Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), State Representative Amos O’Neal (HD-94), Mayor Girard (Bay City), the Michigan AFL-CIO and a dozen other labor unions representing over one million workers and retirees; local leaders from every county in the district; national and statewide advocacy organizations including Giffords PAC, VoteVets, Michigan Association for Justice, and the LGBT&A Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party.
Greene outraised every candidate in the special election primary, reporting $257,702 in contributions. On the Republican side, both Velasquez and Tunney used six-figure personal loans to their campaigns.
Statewide and national attention will intensify now that the campaign to fill Congresswoman McDonald Rivet’s open seat in Michigan’s 35th Senate district enters its general election phase. 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.
The general special election date for the 35th District of the Michigan Senate is May 5, 2026.
