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State Representative, 61st 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 Macomb County.

Photo of Denise Mentzer
Denise MentzerOfficial portrait — Michigan House

Denise Mentzer

DemocraticIncumbent

State representative · Mount Clemens

The gist

  • Supports streamlining the citizenship process.
  • Supports passing the school budget before July 1.
  • Introduced bill limiting utility rate-case filings to every three years.In office
  • Supports keeping medical debt off credit reports.In office
  • Co-introduced ban on price gouging during emergencies.In office
  • Introduced $11.5 million Macomb sewer interceptor repair bill.In office

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

More about Denise
View sources (5)
  1. Supports streamlining the citizenship process.

    VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 61

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “We should welcome immigrants and the skills and labor they bring and streamline the citizenship process.”
  2. Supports passing the school budget before July 1.

    VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 61

    Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org

    “pass a budget prior to July 1st so school systems know what to expect”
  3. Introduced bill limiting utility rate-case filings to every three years.

    Mentzer Introduces Bill to Slow Utility Rate Hikes in Michigan

    Public statement · Michigan House Democrats · Mar 4, 2026 · housedems.com

    “would prohibit utility companies from filing to increase their retail rates sooner than three years after their last filing”
  4. Supports keeping medical debt off credit reports.

    Mentzer Applauds Passage of Medical Debt Bill She Developed

    Public statement · Michigan House Democrats · Jun 25, 2026 · housedems.com

    “prohibits medical debt from appearing on consumer credit reports”
  5. Co-introduced ban on price gouging during emergencies.

    Hoskins, Pohutsky, Mentzer Package Targets Price Gouging During Emergencies, Protects Families From Crisis Exploitation

    Public statement · Michigan House Democrats · Jun 24, 2026 · housedems.com

    “introduced legislation to prevent excessive price increases and protect consumers from exploitation during declared emergencies”
  6. Introduced $11.5 million Macomb sewer interceptor repair bill.

    Mentzer Introduces Funding Bill to Provide Critical Sewer Line Repair for Macomb County

    Public statement · Michigan House Democrats · Jun 4, 2026 · housedems.com

    “The bill would supply $11.5 million to repair roughly 1.5 miles of the 15-mile interceptor”

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.

State Representative, 61st District · Michigan 2026 General Election · The Gist