Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is proud to announce that 126 legislative candidates running for the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate have been designated as Friends of Retail for the 2026 August 4 primary election. The 85 Michigan House of Representatives and 41 Michigan Senate candidates, who will appear on the upcoming August 4 primary ballot, have earned MRA’s “Friend of Retail” designation and have earned the Association members’ support for their commitment to the retail sector.

“The retail industry continues to face a range of challenges, making it vital to have elected leaders who understand and support the needs of Michigan retailers,” said William J. Hallan, President and CEO of Michigan Retailers Association. “Retail jobs are meaningful jobs that provide first work experiences, create career opportunities, and strengthen local economies across Michigan. Supporting candidates who value the retail industry helps ensure these businesses can grow, invest in their communities, and continue serving customers throughout the state.”

The designations were determined by MRA’s Legislative Committee, based on an extensive review of voting records and candidate questionnaires. Incumbent legislators who received the Friend of Retail designation have proven their support of the retail industry through their votes and sponsorship on key legislation. Additionally, candidates demonstrated their understanding of retail’s critical role in Michigan’s economy through their responses to essential policy questions.

“We’re grateful for the lawmakers and candidates who took the time to express themselves on key retail issues,” said Drew Beardslee, Vice President, Government Affairs. “We’re always on the lookout for legislators who understand the complexities and needs of the retail industry. We encourage MRA members to consider candidates who have earned our ‘Friend of Retail’ designation in the upcoming primary and general elections.”

To see the statewide legislative districts for each candidate visit the maps drawn by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission.

Candidates who’ve earned the 2026 Friend of Retail designation may use the Friend of Retail badge included in this post on campaign materials.

 

2026 Friends of Retail

1st District Tyrone Carter (D)

2nd District Frank Liberati (D)

2nd District Ronald Kokinda (R)

11th District Kimberly Fisher (D)

12th District Brian Hakola (R)

13th District Julie Leonardi (R)

19th District Samantha Steckloff (D)

22nd District Casey Noce (R)

24th District Ranjeev Puri (D)

25th District Peter Herzberg (D)

26th District Chris Dobis (R)

27th District Rylee Linting (R)

28th District Jamie Thompson (R)

30th District William Bruck (R)

31st District Laura Perry (R)

34th District Nancy Jenkins-Arno (R)

35th District Jennifer Wortz (R)

37th District Brad Paquette (R)

38th District Mark Krieger (R)

39th District Pauline Wendzel (R)

42nd District Matt Hall (R)

43rd District Rachelle Smit (R)

44th District Steve Frisbie (R)

45th District Sarah Lightner (R)

46th District Kathy Schmaltz (R)

48th District Brian Ignatowski (R)

49th District Ann Bollin (R)

50th District Jason Woolford (R)

52nd District Mike Harris (R)

54th District Roman Gaskey (R)

54th District Jeffrey Omtvedt (R)

55th District Mark Tisdel (R)

57th District Tom Kuhn (R)

58th District Ron Robinson (R)

59th District Sylvia Grot (R)

59th District Jean Zott (R)

60th District Joe Aragona (R)

61st District John Grossenbacher (R)

62nd District Alicia St. Germaine (R)

63rd District Jay DeBoyer (R)

64th District Joe Pavlov (R)

65th District Jaime Greene (R)

66th District Josh Schriver (R)

67th District Phil Green (R)

68th District David Martin (R)

70th District Cynthia Neeley (D)

71st District Brian BeGole (R)

72nd District Mike Mueller (R)

73rd District Dan Ewart (R)

76th District Bill Kaiser (R)

78th District Miguel Pilar (R)

78th District Brandon Strong (R)

79th District Angela Rigas (R)

83rd District John Fitzgerald (D)

83rd District Cindy Ramirez (R)

84th District Drew Jake Robbins (R)

85th District Bradley Slagh (R)

86th District Nancy DeBoer (R)

87th District Will Snyder (D)

88th District Greg VanWoerkom (R)

89th District Patrick Kapenga (R)

89th District Joe Moss (R)

90th District Lynn Afendoulis (R)

90th District Susannah Watts (R)

91st District Pat Outman (R)

92nd District Jerry Neyer (R)

93rd District Tim Kelly (R)

95th District Bill Schuette (R)

96th District Christopher Girard (D)

96th District Timmy Beson (R)

97th District Mark Piotrowski (R)

98th District Gregory Alexander (R)

99th District Mike Hoadley (R)

100th District Tom Kunse (R)

101st District Gary Anderson (R)

101st District Jaxon Deur (R)

102nd District Curt VanderWall (R)

103rd District Edwin Dean (R)

104th District John Roth (R)

105th District Ken Borton (R)

106th District Cam Cavitt (R)

107th District Parker Fairbairn (R)

108th District Steven Viau (R)

109th District Karl Bohnak (R)

110th District Greg Markkanen (R)

1st District Patrick O'Connell (R)

4th District Marcie Grzywacz (R)

5th District Matt Koleszar (D)

7th District Shadia Martini (D)

7th District Rakesh Ramakrishnan (D)

9th District Michael Webber (R)

12th District Kevin Hertel (D)

12th District Joseph Backus (R)

12th District Shelley Wright (R)

13th District Sean Carlson (D)

16th District Joseph Bellino (R)

18th District Anthony Pennock (D)

18th District Thomas Albert (R)

19th District Shaun Young (R)

20th District Kenny Clevenger (R)

22nd District Mike Murphy (R)

23rd District Daniel Lawless (R)

23rd District Donni Steele (R)

24th District Terence Mekoski (R)

24th District Doug Wozniak (R)

25th District Andrew Beeler (R)

25th District Gary Eisen (R)

25th District John Mahaney (R)

25th District Randy Schultz (R)

26th District Martin Cousineau (D)

26th District Matt Bierlein (R)

28th District Julie DeRose (R)

29th District Brady Middleton (R)

30th District Carol Glanville (D)

30th District Mark Huizenga (R)

31st District Michael Markey (R)

31st District John Wetzel (R)

32nd District Kim Cole (R)

33rd District Katie DeBoer (R)

33rd District Gina Johnsen (R)

34th District Roger Hauck (R)

36th District Mark Yonkman (D)

36th District Michele Hoitenga (R)

37th District John Damoose (R)

38th District Beau LaFave (R)

38th District David Prestin (R)