Michigan's eightieth state house district is represented by Republican Representative Mary Whiteford, who won a 2016 special election prompted by the expulsion of Republican Representative Cindy Gamrat.

As of the 2010 census, a total of 87,871 civilians reside within Michigan's eighty-second state house district. Michigan state representatives represent an average of 89,851 residents. After the 2000 Census, each member represented 90,349 residents.

About the office

Members of the Michigan House of Representatives serve two-year terms with term limits. Michigan legislators assume office the at noon on first day of January.

Qualifications

Section 7 of Article 4 of the Michigan Constitution states, "Each senator and representative must be a citizen of the United States, at least 21 years of age, and an elector of the district he represents. The removal of his domicile from the district shall be deemed a vacation of the office. No person who has been convicted of subversion or who has within the preceding 20 years been convicted of a felony involving a breach of public trust shall be eligible for either house of the legislature."

Salaries

Term limits

The Michigan legislature is one of 15 state legislatures with term limits. Voters enacted the Michigan Term Limits Act in 1992. That initiative said that Michigan representatives are subject to term limits of no more than three two-year terms, or a total of six years.

The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was in 2002.

Vacancies

Whenever a vacancy occurs in the house, it is up to the Governor to call for a special election. A special election must be held during the next scheduled general election. If the vacancy happened after the statewide primary, leaders of the respective party organizations within the Senate district can submit a list of nominees to be voted on by party leadership. A vote must be held no later than 21 days after the vacancy.

Elections

2020

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives will take place in 2020. The general election will be held on November 3, 2020. A primary is scheduled for August 4, 2020. The filing deadline is April 21, 2020.

2018

2016

General election

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016.

Incumbent Mary Whiteford defeated John Andrysiak and Arnie Davidsons in the Michigan House of Representatives District 80 general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 General Election, 2016

John Andrysiak ran unopposed in the Michigan House of Representatives District 80 Democratic primary.
Incumbent Mary Whiteford defeated Abigail Nobel in the Michigan House of Representatives District 80 Republican primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 Republican Primary, 2016

Special election

A special election for the position of Michigan House of Representatives District 80 was called for March 8, 2016. A primary election took place on November 3, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 18, 2015.

The seat was vacant following Cindy Gamrat's (R) historic expulsion on September 11, 2015. She was expelled for misconduct related to an extramarital affair with Rep. Todd Courser (R-Lapeer).

David Gernant was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Mary Whiteford defeated Eric De Witt, Cindy Gamrat, Bill Sage, James Siver, Jim Storey, Shannon Szukala and Kevin Travis in the Republican primary. Arnie Davidsons ran as an Libertarian candidate. Whiteford defeated Gernant and Davidsons in the special election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80, Special Election, 2016

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 Republican Primary, 2015

2014

Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Geoff Parker was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Cindy Gamrat defeated Randy Brink, Stephen Schulz and Mary Whiteford in the Republican primary. Gamrat defeated Parker and Arnis Davidsons (L) in the general election.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 General Election, 2014

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 Republican Primary, 2014

2012

Elections for the office of Michigan House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2012 and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature-filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was May 15, 2012. The deadline for independent candidates was July 19, 2012. The deadline for write-in candidates was July 27, 2012. Incumbent Bob Genetski (R) defeated Stuart D. Peet (D) in the general election. Genetski defeated Randy Brink in the Republican primary. Peet was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80, General Election, 2012

Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 Republican Primary, 2012

Campaign contributions

From 2002 to 2016, candidates for Michigan House of Representatives District 80 raised a total of $928,884. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $30,963 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money.

Campaign contributions, Michigan House of Representatives District 80