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State Representative, 45th 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 Calhoun, Jackson and Kalamazoo counties.

Taxes & budget

  • Randy DavisDemocratic

    • Supports higher taxes on billionaires.
  • Sarah LightnerRepublican

    • Supports property tax and income tax relief.
    • Supported ending taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security.
    • Voted to eliminate the state property tax.In office

Public safety

  • Randy DavisDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Sarah LightnerRepublican

    • Supports returning undocumented immigrants to apply legally.

Education

  • Randy DavisDemocratic

    • Supports preschool for every Michigan child.
    • Supports a statewide early literacy reading curriculum.
  • Sarah LightnerRepublican

    No documented position found.

Economy & jobs

  • Randy DavisDemocratic

    • Supports tax credits to offset the impact of tariffs.
    • Supports a data center moratorium pending state guidance.
  • Sarah LightnerRepublican

    • Led House passage of payroll company oversight bills.In office

Courts & justice

  • Randy DavisDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Sarah LightnerRepublican

    • Supports Corrections Director Heidi Washington's resignation.In office

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; 5 issues covered in this race.