Democrats retake majority in state House after Herzberg, Xiong outpace opponents

Democrats regained their narrow 56-54 majority in the Michigan House after capturing two special elections in Metro Detroit on Tuesday.

Macomb County Commissioner Mai Xiong and Westland City Councilman Peter Herzberg, both Democrats, led their opponent by wide margins in unofficial results in House Districts 13 and 25 late Tuesday.

In the 25th House District, with all precincts reporting as of 10 p.m., Herzberg won his seat with 59% of the vote to Republican Josh Powell's 38%. U.S. Taxpayer candidate Robert Stano took 2% of the vote.

In the 13th House District, with all precincts reporting around 11 p.m., Xiong won her seat with 65% of the vote to Republican Ronald Singer's 34%.

Herzberg said his goal in the first weeks joining session would be to ensure the budget priorities of cities in his district are recognized in the state budget. He called Tuesday's victory a "big win" for the state.

"Democrats turned out and we’re excited to take back the majority," Herzberg said.

Xiong declared victory shortly after 10 p.m. when her lead in Warren appeared too large for votes in any outstanding precincts to overcome. She thanked supporters in a statement on Tuesday.

"Your unwavering belief in our vision and your commitment to positive change have inspired me every step of the way," Xiong said.

The wins were largely expected in the Metro Detroit districts, but lauded nonetheless by the state and national Democratic parties, the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Caucus.

"These seats will allow Democrats to continue fighting for a brighter future for all Michiganders," said Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes.

The wins mean House Democrats are able to break a five-month 54-54 tie that's brought the lower chamber to relative standstill when it comes to the passage of significant legislation.

Xiong is a 39-year-old mother of four who will become the first Hmong American lawmaker in Michigan history. Herzberg is a 32-year-old councilman who will take his cousin Kevin Coleman's place in the House.

The seats they will fill were left vacant in November when Democratic state Reps. Lori Stone of Warren and Coleman of Westland were elected mayors of their respective cities.

Xiong and Herzberg will serve out the remainder of Stone and Coleman's terms, through December, and will likely run for a full two-year term in the August primary and November general elections

The 13th District includes Warren and a corner of northeast Detroit; the 25th District includes the city of Westland parts of Canton Township, Dearborn Heights and Wayne. The 13th District will change significantly ahead of the November election under a court-ordered redraw of several Metro Detroit House districts.

The districts at stake in Tuesday's election largely lean Democratic. Stone won her state House race in 2022 with 67% of the vote and Coleman with 63% of the vote. Both were incumbents.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com