Greene Sworn In, Restores Full Strength to Michigan State Senate
Fire captain and former Marine Chedrick Greene takes oath, ending 14-month vacancy in competitive mid-Michigan district.
LANSING, MICHIGAN — State Senator-elect Chedrick Greene took his oath of office Thursday morning, bringing the Michigan State Senate back to full strength after more than a year with a vacant seat.
Greene, a Saginaw fire captain and former U.S. Marine, officially assumed representation of Michigan’s 35th Senate District. The seat had remained empty since former Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) left to serve as a U.S. representative.
Special Election Victory
The Democrat secured his position through a special election victory on May 5, defeating Republican Jason Tunney and Libertarian Ali Sledz. Greene captured nearly 60% of the vote in the competitive district, which encompasses parts of Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties.
The election results restored balance to the chamber. Democrats previously held a narrow 20-18 majority, but McDonald Rivet’s departure had reduced their advantage to just one vote over Republicans.
Oath of Office Ceremony
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Greene spoke with reporters about the significance of the moment. He described the experience as surreal, noting he had previously visited the chamber as a guest of McDonald Rivet’s.
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist administered Greene’s oath of office, officially marking the restoration of the Senate’s full 38-member complement.
Background and Experience
Greene brings both military and public service experience to his new role. His background as a U.S. Marine veteran and current fire captain in Saginaw positions him as a public safety advocate within the Democratic caucus.
The 35th Senate District represents an important region for both parties, spanning multiple counties in central Michigan. Greene’s decisive victory margin suggests strong voter support despite the district’s competitive nature.
With Greene now seated, Democrats have restored their working majority in the state Senate, providing greater stability for legislative priorities in the remaining session.
