Kent County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 33

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 33 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Stan Opal and Gina Johnsen. Candidate information follows official Kent County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

The 33rd District covers northern Kent County (Cedar Springs, Sparta, the Cannonsburg area) and stretches east to Portland in Ionia County and north to Lake County, per WOODTV's district-map reporting. Sitting Sen. Rick Outman is not on the November ballot for this seat; the district is open between Democrat Stan Opal and Republican Gina Johnsen, the sitting state representative for the 78th District, per the Kent County Clerk's 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 33

Stan Opal

Democratic

Top priorities

Ensure every child has access to a quality public education
Protect clean well water and hold polluters accountable
Protect voting rights and access to the democratic process

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Stan Opal is a U.S. Army veteran who served as a combat engineer, including landmine-removal work in Korea, per his campaign site. After his military service he worked as a union crane operator at Michigan power plants, and has since served as a gubernatorial appointee to the state's Board of Professional Engineers, per his campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Gina Johnsen

Republican

Top priorities

Protect tax exemptions for Michigan farmers and deployed service members
Decrease regulations and licensing requirements for small and family-owned businesses
Ensure affordable and accessible medications and therapies

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Johnsen has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years and is a community leader and grassroots political organizer, per the campaign site. Born and raised in the Lansing area, Johnsen is running for Michigan Senate District 33, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotMichigan House District 78

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 33 in 2026?

When is the Michigan Senate District 33 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 House District 79 Michigan House District 80 Michigan House District 81 See all 42 Kent County races

Candidate profiles

Stan Opal, full profile Gina Johnsen, full profile Official Michigan election office