Governor Whitmer says the Marine Veteran and Fire Captain is “going to fight every day to make life more affordable for mid-Michigan”
SAGINAW, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Marine veteran and Saginaw Fire Captain Chedrick Greene in his campaign for Michigan’s 35th State Senate District.
In this video released on her social media accounts, Governor Whitmer said: “I am proud to endorse Chedrick Greene for the special election this May in Senate District 35. As a lifelong resident of Saginaw, a U.S. Marine veteran and a Fire Captain, Chedrick has spent his entire life serving his community and our country. As a state Senator, I know he’s going to fight every day to make life more affordable for mid-Michigan and help more working families get ahead.”
In response, Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Greene said: “I am profoundly honored and grateful to receive this support from Governor Whitmer — a resilient, effective leader who has delivered significant pragmatic and progressive wins for Michiganders. She knows how crucial this special election is to defend and build on those wins in her final year of service to our state. From strengthening our schools and keeping our communities safe, to safeguarding our freedoms and putting more money back in working- and middle-class families’ pockets, I’m committed to help Gov. Whitmer continue her great work on behalf of Michigan families.”
Along with support from the 35th District’s most recent state Senator and current Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet, and now the backing of Governor Whitmer, Greene’s endorsements include Giffords PAC, VoteVets, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and 16 Michigan labor organizations including the Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, and United Auto Workers Region 1-D. The diverse coalition of elected and community leaders, advocacy groups, and labor unions backing Greene may be found at: https://chedrickgreene.com/endorsements/.
Last month, Chedrick Greene won the Democratic nomination for this pivotal, mid-Michigan swing district with over 60 percent of the vote in a six-way primary — more than double the second-place vote total. In another sign of strength for the first-time candidate, Senate District 35 voters cast nearly 8,400 more ballots for Democrats than Republicans in their respective primaries for this open seat.
The campaign to fill the seat previously held by McDonald Rivet is drawing 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 for the rest of this year. A swing seat in a swing state, this special election outcome will also 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.
Michigan Senate District 35 includes portions of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. The special election is May 5, 2026, with absentee voting beginning 40 days earlier.