Jackson County, Michigan

Michigan House District 45

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Randy Davis and Sarah Lightner. Candidate information follows official Jackson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Randy Davis (Democratic), Sarah Lightner (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Michigan House District 45; Sarah Lightner is the sitting member, per the Michigan House of Representatives's official roster (gophouse.org). Nominees were chosen at the August 4, 2026 primary, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results; Michigan prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Sarah Lightner, is on the ballot.

Michigan › Jackson County › Michigan House District 45

Randy Davis

Democratic

Top priorities

Addressing rising costs for groceries, healthcare and energy
Strengthening K-12 education
Improving rural healthcare access

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Randy Davis is the Democratic nominee for Michigan House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official August 4, 2026 primary results. Davis served 20 years as school superintendent for Athens, Marshall, Mar-Lee and Albion and committed 25 years to a local nonprofit agency serving children and families across Michigan, according to his campaign site. He is a longtime Calhoun County resident challenging incumbent Sarah Lightner for the 45th District seat.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Sarah Lightner

Republican Incumbent

Biography

Sarah Lightner is the Republican nominee for Michigan House District 45 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official August 4, 2026 primary results. Sarah Lightner is a sitting member for the district, per the Michigan House of Representatives's official roster (gophouse.org). Lightner works as a paralegal focusing on criminal defense and family law and, with her husband, operates a custom hay baling and wrapping business, according to the Michigan House Republicans caucus. She previously served as a Jackson County commissioner and was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2018, where she now chairs the House Judiciary Committee.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan House District 45 in 2026?

When is the Michigan House District 45 election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Jackson County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Jackson County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Jackson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Jackson County ballot

16 tracked races in Jackson County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Michigan House District 46 Michigan House District 47 Michigan House District 48 See all 16 Jackson County races

Candidate profiles

Randy Davis, full profile Sarah Lightner, full profile Official Michigan election office