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State Representative, 43rd District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Michigan laws and the state budget on behalf of the district.

Covers part of Allegan, Barry, Ottawa and Eaton counties.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Alan Swank

Democratic

Semi-retired associate professor · Delton

The gist

  • Supports right-to-repair for owners and independent shops.
  • Supports nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ residents.
  • Supports health care as a universal right.
  • Proposes free education and forgiving all student loans.
  • Supports increasing support for local farmers.
More about Alan
View sources (2)

  1. Supports right-to-repair for owners and independent shops.

    Issues & Stances | Alan Swank for Michigan

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Alan Swank · alanswankformichigan43.com

    “It ensures that individuals and independent repair shops can fix their own products, from farm equipment to electronics, without relying solely on manufacturers.”

  2. Supports nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ residents.

    Issues & Stances | Alan Swank for Michigan

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Alan Swank · alanswankformichigan43.com

    “fighting for comprehensive non-discrimination protections, access to healthcare”

  3. Supports health care as a universal right.

    Alan Swank for Michigan

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Alan Swank · alanswankformichigan43.com

    “Healthcare is a God-given, universal right”

  4. Proposes free education and forgiving all student loans.

    Alan Swank for Michigan

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Alan Swank · alanswankformichigan43.com

    “Free education, no student loans, all student loans forgiven, interest-free.”

  5. Supports increasing support for local farmers.

    Alan Swank for Michigan

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Alan Swank · alanswankformichigan43.com

    “Protecting and enhancing support for local farmers is one of Alan's top concerns.”
Photo of Rachelle Smit
Rachelle SmitOfficial portrait — Michigan House

Rachelle Smit

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative · Shelbyville

The gist

  • Supports the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote.In office
  • Voted for Money Out of Politics campaign finance initiative.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Rachelle
View sources (2)

  1. Supports the SAVE Act requiring proof of citizenship to vote.

    Rep. Smit: We need to SAVE Michigan from ongoing foreign voting threats

    Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org

    “passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote and photo ID when voting”

  2. Voted for Money Out of Politics campaign finance initiative.

    Rep. Smit's vote explanations | week of Aug. 25

    Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org

    “The people of Michigan shouldn't have to compete with deep-pocketed special interests for the attention of their government.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 4 issues covered in this race.

State Representative, 43rd District · Michigan 2026 General Election · The Gist