The Ballot Brief
Kent County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 20

3 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 20 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dale Murney, Chris Moraitis and Shamara Clay. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Sitting Republican Sen. Aric Nesbitt is not on the November ballot for this seat; the district is open between Democrat Dale Murney and Republican Chris Moraitis, with Green nominee Shamara Clay also on the ballot, per the Kent County Clerk's official candidate list.

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.

Michigan › Kent County › Michigan Senate District 20

Dale Murney

Democratic

Top priorities

  • Increase hiring and retention of certified teachers by paying a living wage
  • Expand vocational education programs to build labor-ready skills
  • Increase affordable housing options through streamlined zoning and builder incentives

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Murney is an attorney who served as an assistant prosecutor in Kalamazoo, in private practice and later as a referee and magistrate in Berrien County courts before retiring in October 2024, per the campaign site. He earned degrees from Western Michigan University and the University of Kansas School of Law, per the campaign site. He is a longtime resident of Paw Paw Township and is married with two children, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Chris Moraitis

Republican

Top priorities

  • Strengthening schools
  • Growing Michigan's economy
  • Restoring local control

Per the Herald-Palladium questionnaire coverage.

Biography

Chris Moraitis is a Paw Paw, Michigan attorney who has served as president of the Van Buren County Bar Association and the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority, per the Herald-Palladium. No campaign website was found as of September 4, 2026.

Shamara Clay

Green

Biography

Shamara Clay appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan Senate District 20, per the county clerk's certified candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 4, 2026; the official roster and election filing is the only verifiable source for Shamara Clay.

Next on your ballotMichigan Senate District 29

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 20 in 2026?

3 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 20 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dale Murney, Chris Moraitis and Shamara Clay. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Michigan Senate District 20 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 Kent 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 Kent County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Kent County ballot

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

Also on your ballot
Michigan Senate District 30Michigan Senate District 33Michigan House District 78See all 42 Kent County races
Candidate profiles
Dale Murney, full profileChris Moraitis, full profileShamara Clay, full profileOfficial Michigan election office