Ex-Mich Gov. Rick Snyder to hit trail with House GOP in bid to keep their majority

Beth LeBlanc, The Detroit News on Oct 23, 2026

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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan House Republicans are enlisting the help of GOP former Gov. Rick Snyder in their bid to defend the caucus' most vulnerable seats in the final week of a campaign that will determine whether or not Republicans retain the majority in the lower chamber.

The More for Michigan Tour will start Monday in Oakland County and move through Jackson, Battle Creek, west Michigan and end in Marquette on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The former governor said his goal is to focus the tour on the "critically important issues" facing the state that a Republican majority could address, such as tax changes, regulatory reform and education improvements.

"If you look at what’s showing up on the TV and everything else, much of the discussion is about federal issues," Snyder said. "But if you’re talking about who you’re going to elect to the Michigan Legislature, we should focus in on positive things we can do in Michigan to make our state better.”

The House Republican Campaign Committee said in a statement that it shares a "vision for Michigan" with Snyder: "More money back in people's pockets, more investment for the state, and more opportunity for everyone."

The Michigan House Democratic Fund expressed confidence that the state would elect a Democratic majority in the fall, regardless of the former governor's efforts.

"Rick Snyder can hit every campaign stop in Michigan, but he can't cover for Matt Hall and Michigan Republicans' cost-raising agenda," said Amber Gantt, a spokeswoman for the House Democratic campaign arm.

Snyder also aided the state House GOP in 2024 in their successful bid to retake the majority. In November 2024, Republicans flipped the House from a 56-54 Democratic majority to a 58-52 GOP majority after a campaign in which the former governor aided in fundraising and campaign efforts..

But with strong Trump headwinds for Republicans across the state, there are several seats in the Michigan House the GOP is in danger of losing again. Snyder acknowledged there are more significant headwinds in 2026 for Republicans than were there in 2024, but he expressed confidence in the candidates currently running in the House's swing seats.

"These are good people," Snyder said. "They have good policy ideas for Michigan. And I always like to assume that we have sophisticated people out there voting that are going to look at those and make wise decisions in what’s the best interest of Michigan.”

Snyder will stop in Trenton, Belleville, Troy, and Utica on Monday, Oct. 26 in the hopes of boosting Republican chances in the 27th, 28th, 31st, 57th, and 58th House districts, respectively.

While the House GOP is defending seats in the 27th, 28th, 57th, and 58th districts, it hopes to pick up the 31st. Republican candidate Laura Perry of Petersburg is facing Democrat Shannon Wayne Dare of Milan in the 31st in a fight to win the seat left vacant by Democratic state Rep. Reggie Miller, who is not running for reelection.

The former two-term governor will campaign Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Rochester, Lake Orion, Jackson and Battle Creek to boost candidates in the 55th, 54th, 46th and 44th districts, respectively, where Republicans currently hold the seats.

The 44th House District in Battle Creek was flipped from Democratic to Republican in 2024 by a margin of 79 votes, when GOP state Rep. Steve Frisbie of Pennfield Township ousted Democratic former state Rep. Jim Haadsma of Battle Creek. This year, there is a rematch between Frisbie and Haadsma.

Snyder will stop in Holland and Grandville on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to support candidates in the 86th and 84th House districts, respectively.

In the 86th House District, Republican state Rep. Nancy DeBoer, the former Holland mayor, is in a tough race against Democratic organizer Joseph McClusky of Holland as west Michigan shifts increasingly left.

Snyder will end the week Thursday, Oct. 29, in Marquette, campaigning with Republican state Rep. Karl Bohnak of Deerton, who is seeking a second term in the 109th House District.

Bohnak, a former TV meteorologist, flipped the seat in 2024, but now faces a challenge from Ana Aho Rink, who spent 17 years as a physician assistant at Planned Parenthood Marquette.

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